. Atiku, Saraki, Tinubu Oil Campaign Train
. North Can’t be Blackmailed -Gov LamidoNot less than seven prominent politicians have started oiling their political machineries ahead of the 2015 presidential election, Sunday Trust can reveal. Although, this has not been made public, Sunday Trust gathered that prominent politicians like the former vice president, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido are engaged in moves that would position them for the race, if President Goodluck Jonathan keeps his promise not to seek a second term and leaves in 2015.
Though the 2015 presidential election is
four years ahead, presidential hopefuls are already preparing for the
race. Almost all those eyeing Goodluck Jonathan’s job are banking on the president’s promise not to run for a second term in 2015. Sunday Trust investigation unveils some of the behind-the-scene moves
MARK: Presidential tone in his voice
From Abdul-Rahman Abubakar
Senate President David Mark has quietly
become a heavy political weight, thanks to the recent political history
of Nigeria. Therefore, to say that the Idoma ex-military general has
been eyeing the presidency is an understatement. The man was said to
have come very close to his goal while in Khaki. He is presently the
longest serving senator in the nation’s history. The presidential bid of
the Senate President is now an open secret within the political
landscape. It has become the major topic of gossip and low tone
discussions at all important gatherings across the country. But, Mark
doesn’t look unaware of the situation.
In recent times, the Senate
President makes comments that are only expected of activists or those
that lean a bit to the left. For instance, unlike Mark who was
always perceived as being pro-establishment, he is slow in giving
absolute support for the removal of fuel subsidy. To show his solidarity
with the people, Mark willingly allowed for a probe into fuel subsidy
management, rather than cajole senators to support an outright removal
of the policy. Labour leaders are becoming more comfortable in dealing
with the nation’s number three man rather than the Aso Villa on issues
of fuel subsidy removal.
Another popular issue of recent was the
N18,000 minimum wage for civil servants. At a time when governors were
battling labour leaders over payment of the new wages, Mark decided to
take sides with labour, insisting that government must honour the new
law. At several fora the Senate President spoke in support of the
position of the organized labour on the matter, at some point Mark
almost justified a looming strike. This show of solidarity may not be
coming free because support of the labour organisations is key in
running a successful presidential campaign in the country.
More than all the comments, Mark’s
recent display of the country’s sovereignty in the face of western
attacks on anti-gay law has endeared him to many Nigerians.
It’s been long since the people were
reminded of the importance of independence from western neo-colonialists
who poke their noses in our affairs. The statement by Mark that Nigeria
cannot be forced into dumping its norms and traditions by some western
donors have raised his profile as a public office holder. In a rare show
of resonance, Mark told England and America off over the gay right
issue.
As if that wasn’t enough, Mark did not
leave anyone in doubt that he possesses the experience and character to
deal with national issues when he took the stage at the recent Arewa
Conference for Peace and Unity. He challenged his northern brothers on
why they had been silent on the Boko Haram crisis. Many now recall his
days as that no nonsense military officer that made things work in
Niger State. The Senate President’s actions and comments in recent days
have succeeded in sustaining the discussions of his possible bid for
presidency by 2015.
Aside comments and actions, Mark is also
beginning to correct one of the major lapses that many observers said
were going to be his albatross, in case he decides to run for president.
More than ever before, Mark is forging closer ties with politicians
from all over the North. As an indigene of one of the ‘peripheral’
northern states, Mark requires close ties with politicians in the ‘core’
northern states to be able to achieve his dream.
To actualise that, the Senate President
recently appointed two politicians to occupy important positions in his
office. Senator Anthony Manzo from North East is made Chief of Staff
while Senator Mujitaba Malam from North West is now the Political
Adviser to Mark. This is perceived by several political observers as
moves by the Senate President to entrench his structures all over the
North.
Senators have since begun to strategise
for the Mark 2015 project. A senator recently told this reporter that
the majority of the lawmakers are only waiting for the right time to
commence campaign for their ‘boss’.
According to him “as far as we are
concerned in the Senate, we already have a candidate to support for
president in 2015. The Senate President is most experienced politician
now in the country and sentiments aside, I think it is time we have
somebody that can do the job.” It is, however, not going to be a smooth
sail for the veteran senator.
His biggest challenge will come from a
possibility of President Jonathan seeking a second term. Though the
President is said to have agreed to a single term agreement, in politics
no accord is sacrosanct. The 1999 Constitution doesn’t bar President
Jonathan from contesting. Another obstacle will come in the mode of
zoning. Coming from North Central, the ruling PDP may favour one of the
two other northern zones for the presidency.
Then there is the question of religious
balance. The incumbent President is a Christian and there is likelihood
that a Muslim is considered in order to avoid suspicion. But as a master
strategist, Mark is likely to have a plan on how to tame the state
chief executives. Apart from strategy, Sunday Trust learnt that former
President Obasanjo is urging him on, assuring him of his support. This
makes the Senate President the most formidable contender for the
presidency.
Namadi: Secret behind the tag ‘of No. 1 citizen of the north’
From Isa Sa’idu, Kaduna
Gradually, it is emerging that the Vice
President, Arc Muhammad Namadi Sambo, is slowly, but steadily, coming
out with his work plan on the 2015 election. At the last Arewa, Peace
and Unity Conference the Vee Pee earned a new tag, Number One citizen of
the North’, and it is suspected that it is an euphemism for his 2015
Project.
Since October this year, specifically
after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) North-West zone’s meeting,
Arc Sambo reportedly used the forum to launch his 2015 presidential
campaign. Remarks made by the Vice President at the occasion were
interpreted to mean so. Though his spokesperson, Umar Sani, vehemently
denied that he, Sambo, is interested in the 2015 presidential race,
pundits believe that Arc Sambo is only waiting for the right time to
begin to bulldoze his way, as agitations for the North-West zone of the
country to produce the next president is quite above the powers of the
VP.
Another move that made pundits to
believe that the VP is actually interested in the presidency, come 2015,
especially if his boss, Dr Goodluck Jonathan sticks to his words not to
contest in 2015, is what emerged at the venue of the Arewa Peace and
Unity Conference and the consultations that followed. At the conference,
many speakers addressed the VP as the number one citizen of the north.
This statement was seen by pundits as a clear intimidation of other
presidential hopefuls present at the occasion. Reliable sources have
also confided in Sunday Trust that during and after the Arewa peace
meeting the VP consulted widely on the need for the north to have a
common platform and one person that would fly the region’s flag in
2015. Being the “VP, the number one citizen of the north,” he is seen
as the heir apparent to the throne.
For now, according to observers, it is
clear that the Vice President and Senate President David Mark, are the
two highest ranking northerners in the hierarchy of the country’s
government. Therefore, it would be difficult for these two prominent
sons of the north to fold their hands and allow the presidency to slip
out their way.
On the other hand, the behind-the-scene
coordinators of the Namadi Project, pundits say, kick off in good time
in order to outsmart any other camp that is either in existence or would
emerge later. Despite all these permutations and insinuations, the VP’s
camp, through Umar Sani, insisted that the VP is not interested in the
2015 presidential race.
But some observers also premised that
even if it is true that Sambo is, for now, not interested in vying for
the presidency come 2015, interests groups from the North-West would
push him into the race if the sudden death of President Yar’adua and the
events that followed are anything to go by.
Though the Vice-President’s agents have
denied that Sambo is eyeing 2015 presidency, his visibility in the
Presidency speaks volumes. First, he is quick to praise government for
what he has always seen as improved power supply across the country, the
way he is quick to praise government for ‘achievements’ in various
sectors. Again, he is the most visible northerner in the corridors of
power, organizing northern political conferences and peace meetings.
Again, he is always the emissary of President Jonathan to many
significant events, an indication that his relationship with the
president is very cordial. Does it indicate that he is learning the
leadership rope?
In spite of this visibility, observers
have said that he has not demonstrated that he is a force to reckon with
in the power struggle in the North. Several governors from the North,
current and former, have more political weight than the Vice President
has, in terms of mass mobilization and strategy. Perhaps, he is still
learning.
Atiku: Blocks enemy holes in Adamawa
From Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz, Yola
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
presidential aspirant and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has not
formally announced his intention to run for the 2015 presidency, but
his recent romance between him and Adamawa State governor Murtala
Nyako, seems to be a pointer to that project.
This first step to reconcile with his
perceived stumbling block, particularly Governor Nyako, saw Atiku
asking his supporters in all opposition parties to return to the ruling
PDP to work for Nyako’s victory in the April 14, 2012 governorship poll
in the state. Commentators were polarized on what his motive could be.
While some of Nyako’s supporters prefer to see sinister motives in
Turakin Adamawa’s action, on the other hand, Atiku’s admirers are
celebrating him as a tactful politician who will stop at nothing in
pursuing his ambition.
To ensure this, the Yola-based Gotel
Radio and Gotel Television, all owned by Atiku, in collaboration with
Atiku Solidarity Organisations (ASO) in the state have since been
promoting Nyako and Atiku’s dreams. A former state lawmaker and one of
Atiku’s campaigners in the state, Hon.Ibrahim Abdul Mumini Song,
confided in Sunday Trust that, “like a stubborn bacteria in the blood
vessels is undone with, Atiku is back into the trenches but this time,
it appears he has mastered the contours and pit-falls which led to his
defeat and is very willing to avoid all those mistakes of the past. Part
of his early preparation is plugging all enmity holes he created in the
past which helped put paid to his ambition.’’
Atiku, being a good strategist has been
warming up to most political leaders in the country, including past
presidential aspirants and opinion molders. His close associate had
confirmed that Turaki has warmed his ways into President Goodluck
Jonathan’s heart and has become a welcome guest any time in the Aso
Villa and it does not end there.
The American University of Nigeria
(AUN), owned by the former Vice President is said to be pillar
assiduously working for its founder’s political dream by making
consultations and links with foreign political interest groups. The
citadel of learning has in the recent time received many diplomats and
other foreign leaders, including President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
President Zuma was in Nigeria and Benin
with the aim of deepening South Africa’s bilateral political, economic
and trade relations with these two countries. However receives an
Honorary Doctoral Degree in Philosophy at the AUN in Yola yesterday.
With these frequent diplomats and world
leader’s visits to the institution, many said that being a shrewd
politician, Atiku may have learned from the past and therefore decided
not toy with any opportunity that comes his way.
Beyond his subterranean moves, the
former Vice President has kept his political structure intact in spite
of the fact he lost at the PDP primary election earlier in the year. His
media office is still very vibrant, and has kept Atiku in the news on a
daily basis. Also, Atiku’s romance with the Arewa Consultative Forum
(ACF) is placing him at a vantage position in the North. In the ruling
PDP, he tends to have many loyalists in the party’s National Working
Committee (NWC) and the highest decision-making organ, the National
Executive Council (NEC).
Speaking to our correspondent on the
fact that Atiku will run, his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu said, “It is
not a matter of perhaps. Atiku will run for the Presidency in 2015.
There are several factors that are in his favour. One of them is his
age. Also, he has the experience, being Vice President of this country
for eight years. Thirdly, President Jonathan has made it clear that he
is serving only one term, and by 2015, the Presidency will come to the
North. In the North, it is only the North-East that has not produced a
president in the history of Nigeria. And when you come to the
North-East, the man to beat is Atiku Abubakar. I can say he is the most
qualified Northerner for the job and he will not shy away from it.”
From Nigeria’s political experience,
Atiku is a force to reckon with, but former President Olusegun Obasanjo
is his undoing. Perhaps, Obasanjo is the difficult political nut that
Atiku would have to crack, if he must win the presidency in 2015.
SARAKI: Oiling his campaign machinery, exposing ‘fraud’ in fuel subsidy
By Ismail Adebayo & Mustapha Aminu
Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki presented
himself as a presidential aspirant in the 2011 general elections.
Though he gave in to the northern consensus candidate, it is apparent
that his ambition is not dead. He is involved in moves to rise to the
challenge in 2015.
Among the factors that give reasons for
this thinking is that several political parties that emerged during the
2011 elections are merging with the PDP. For instance, the Democratic
Peoples Party (DPP) has merged with the PDP. This, observers added
could be an added advantage for Bukola’s further ambition.
But, judging by his contributions to the
development strides in the state, which include unification of the
three senatorial districts; establishment of Shonga commercial farming;
International School of Aviation, Ilorin, Kwara State University;
construction of roads, low housing on public private partnership and
electrification of communities across the state, Malete Youth Farm and
Youths empowerment and his success story as the Chairman Nigeria’s
Governors’ Forum for good eight years, Bukola’s possibility of
re-contesting the presidency come 2015 cannot be underrated.
However, feelers emanating from his camp
in Kwara State show that the movement that launched him into the
presidential campaign for the 2011 presidential election, Abubakar
Bukola Saraki (ABS), is at work again for the realization of his 2015
presidential ambition. The ABS went underground when Saraki backed out
of the race to support President Goodluck Jonathan to win 2011
presidential election, but our source said the campaign machineries are
regrouping. One of Saraki’s associates , Alhaji Abubakar Usman, who,
like Alhaji Saka Olododo, the former chief of staff to the governor
and secretary to the state government, Alhaji Yusuf Maja , his special
Assistant on political matters and Alhaji Saka Isau , former secretary
to the state government were at the forefront of Saraki’s
presidential campaign in the last election, has confirmed to Sunday
Trust that plans are on to re -launch him into the 2015 presidential
race.
While speaking to Sunday Trust on phone
on Friday last week, Alhaji Usman said “yes, I can tell you that our
leader will be in the 2015 presidential race. We are making necessary
contact and consulting. At the appropriate time, we shall let you know
what our plans concerning 2015 are.’’
While in the Senate, the former governor
has made his mark with his demand for a probe of the payments by PPPRA
on fuel subsidy in the year 2011. Senator Saraki was the one who raised
an alarm that government had overshot the projected fuel subsidy by
over N700 billion, and demanded a probe. As it stands, his role in
exposing the suspected fraud has raised his rating as a nationalist.
GOVERNOR ALIYU: Riding on the crest of populist remarks
From Aliyu M. Hamagam, Minna
There are indications within and around
the state that Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State is among
those that perhaps one could say they are warming up for the exalted
seat of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come 2015.
This is not unconnected to the fact that
in every political gathering in Niger State that is spearheaded by the
People Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr Aliyu happened to be at the center,
the slogan that commonly followed in chorus when he was delivering a
speech was Sai Kayi Shugaban Kasa, meaning you are the next president.
Prior to last two months, when Dr Aliyu
directed all the Local Government Councils Chairmen of the state to
remove any bill board that has any inscription that has to do with his
presidential ambition, it was common sight to see such billboards
calling on Dr Aliyu to contest for the presidency, come 2015 in
virtually all the 25 local government councils of the state.
Dr Aliyu is one among the most vocal
governors in the country. Probably he tried to be at the center stage of
every other local and national issue because of his position as the
chairman of Northern Governors Forum. To some pundits, Dr Aliyu must be
seeing the forum as a spring board for his ambition with ease.
Therefore, on any other national issue that is either relevant to his
position as leader of the forum or not, Dr Aliyu capitalizes on it and
takes it up as an issue of discourse.
Governor Aliyu has bagged several awards
by various institutions of higher learning, private and public
organizations as well as the traditional institutions, synonymous to
what his predecessor that nursed similar ambition did in the past. The
most recent award of excellence was by the Nigerian Infrastructure
Developer, marking the 2011 World Infrastructure Summit in Paris,
France. He was also appointed and conferred with the prestigious
traditional title of Sardaunan Hausa by his Royal Highness, the Emir of
Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, in a ceremony that took place in
Government House, Minna.
Some of the chief servant’s statements,
if they are anything to go by, are also indicators that Dr Aliyu is
probably gunning for the number one seat in the country, because
recently he was reported saying that he hopes no amount of pressure will
make as President Jonathan to re-contest for the presidency in 2015.
Speaking to Sunday Trust, one of his
supporters in Minna, Mustapha Nasiru said that Governor Mu’azu is
qualified to contest for any position in this country, including the
most prestigious office of Mr President, considering his pedigree as an
administrator and achiever.
According to him, the governor is the
most detribalized Nigerian, if one takes into cognizance of the fact
that he abolished the indigene and non-indigene dichotomy, by giving
free and equal opportunities to all people living in Niger state.
He added that his timely payment of
counterpart fund of the state to Universal Basic Education (UBEC) was
apt and superb and that earned the state several awards from UBEC. The
administration of Governor Aliyu, who is also the chief servant of the
state has done quite a lot in the field of road construction, saying
several roads were constructed that linked up the rural areas in the
state as well as dualization of some roads in the state capital.
However, when Sunday Trust spoke to one
of the leading opposition parties in the state, the Chairman of Congress
for Progressive Change (CPC), Alhaji Umar Shuabu, said there was
nothing to write home about in Niger State, adding that Niger State had
never had it so bad in terms of infrastructural development, like during
the present government of Dr Aliyu.
According to him, in the history of the
Northern region there was never a time when the region recorded high
degree of instability in terms of security challenges and economic
dislocation like this period when the Chief Servant is the chairman of
Northern Governors.
Malam Danladi Ndayabo is the Niger State
government spokesperson. When contacted on his boss’ ambition in 2015
presidential ambition, Ndayabo said, for now, the Niger State governor
was more concerned and pre-occupied with delivering the promises he made
during electioneering campaign. He said “whether Dr Mu’azu Babangida
Aliyu will be the president of this country or not, everything is in the
hands of God.”
LAMIDO: Is the presidency his destiny?
From Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, Dutse
The flurry of activities in Dutse in
recent times points in the direction that Governor Lamido may not quit
politics after his second term as governor. When he hosted some members
of the PDP board of trustee recently in Dutse, they showered a lot of
praises on Governor Lamido after going round the completed projects in
the state. Senator Onyobo Obi, who led the BOT members on the visit,
said they were proud of Governor Sule Lamido’s performance in all parts
in the state, especially the transformation of Dutse, the state capital.
He said “Lamido is among few Nigerians
who have the quality to rule the country in 2015, considering his
progressive ideologies and commitments in uplifting the socio-economic
well being of the common man. He has the experience and patriotism that
anybody needs to lead this country, in addition to being conversant with
the PDP manifesto. Going by the way Governor Lamido operates in Jigawa
State; it shows his high concern, consciousness and commitment to the
plight of common man. The tremendous achievement of Governor Lamido is
clear indication that, if given chance to lead the country he will be
very useful. The way Lamido is transforming the state leaves no doubt
that he can do more at any level, he said.”
Not long after that the Northern
Speakers Forum were also in Jigawa for a two-day meeting at the end of
which they were taken round project sites. The Forum, led by its
chairman, Hon. Goni Modu Ali, after going through the completed projects
and the ongoing projects also praised the governor for his wonderful
accomplishment.
Barely three weeks after the Northern
Speakers Forum left, the Conference of the 36 PDP state Chairmen, led by
their chairman, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the Benue state PDP Chairman, landed
in Jigawa for another meeting, at the end of which they also praised the
governor for his good work. The governor, at that meeting went down the
memory lane and spoke about how PDP was formed and the sacrifices they
made to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.
Most observers believe that all these
visits and programmes are aimed at selling Lamido to the generality of
Nigerians as someone capable of transforming the country if given the
chance. The strength of Lamido is the Obasanjo factor, which is still
relevant in the PDP. The calculation is that if President Goodluck
Jonathan fulfills his promise of serving for one term, Obasanjo can use
his influence within the PDP to clear the way for Lamido who is close to
Obasanjo. This is because, against all odds, Lamido stood in support of
the PDP in the turbulent days of zoning, which did not favour President
Goodluck Jonathan. Showing that he is well above religious and ethnic
sentiments, Lamido and two other Governors Nyako and Wammako, formed a
third force that worked to ensure Jonathan garnered a percentage of
northern votes to enable him scale through the election hurdle. That he
did at a very high cost, so high that it was feared he would lose his
own election. This is a plus for him, if Jonathan is asked to consider a
successor from the North.
But has this made him a politician with a
national stature? This needs to be proved. But if he decides to run,
his consolation may be in the fact that President Jonathan, an Ijaw,
with little or no political followership won the 2011 presidential
election. It is not clear if Lamido will contest the election, however.
When he hosted journalists after his victory at the election petition
tribunal recently, he said at the end of his second term in office, he
will quietly retire to his village because, by then he will be 63 years
old. However, his body language does not agree with this assertion,
because there is no constitutional provision that says politicians must
retire at 63.
The Director of Press to the governor,
Alhaji Umar Kyari told Sunday Trust that the governor’s sole
preoccupation now is the consolidation of the development of Jigawa
State, not getting involved in any scheming or junketing around in a
struggle for power, adding that if it is Lamido’s destiny to be
president, then the destiny would facilitate itself.
How realistic is Igbo presidency in 2015?
From Tony Adibe, Enugu
And as the nation’s rotational
presidency seems to have come to stay, one question that is on the lips
of politicians from the South-East is whether the Ibo race will produce
Nigeria’s presidency in 2015. Can the Igbo people make it? Can they give
the country a president of Igbo origin? Or will they be instrumental to
assist other geo-political zones to produce the next president even
while they (the Igbo) continue their endless search for president of
Igbo extraction?
At the recent Igbo Day celebration held
at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, while
delivering a public lecture during the event, reminded the Igbo people
that 2015 is a year for another general election and as such they should
not shy away from the issue of who should give the nation the next
president when the time comes.
“There are some Igbo people today, when
you mention the issue of presidency 2015, they would hide under the bed
and scream no, no, no, it’s not our turn to give Nigeria a president of
Igbo origin. Such people are not true Igbo people because they lack the
kind of courage Ojukwu has which is the never-say-die spirit of the real
Igbo people all over the world,” Chukwumerije told the huge crowd.
But do the Igbo, in all honsety have the chance of producing the next Nigerian president come 2015 general elections?
Founding national Chairman of the All
Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie said the Igbo
people have the prospect of giving the nation a president of Igbo origin
in 2015 if they (Igbo) do not misplace their priority.
“There is a great prospect for the Igbo
emerging a president in 2015. But I see the only obstruction to
achieving such goal is the misplacement of priority by majority of those
Igbo people clamouring for it,” Okorie told Sunday Trust during a
telephone chat. He added, “I give you e good example: Those Igbo people
in the PDP cannot in the face of the present structure win presidential
election because the party will not even give them the party
presidential ticket. The only party which the Igbo people can use as a
springboard to achieve such feat is APGA.”
Speaking in the same vein, Imo State
Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha said, “I say to most people that the
whole world is waiting for Ndigbo, and not Ndigbo waiting for the whole
world,” adding that the Igbo people don’t play second fiddle. He
described the Igbo as the sleeping giants, stressing that “one day we
shall rise soon.” Apparently making reference to the 2015 presidency,
Okorocha, who also spoke during Ojukwu’s 78th birthday emphasized
further, “There’s no doubt that the sleeping giant will soon rise again.
Of course what we’re going through now is a history which we must pass
through, and indeed, one day we shall get to the appointed place at the
appointed time.”
But Governor Okorocha could not place
what really the Igbo people want from the Nigeria project; is it power
the Igbo want or money or influence? He declared, “My appeal to the
Igbos today is that we should use this Ojukwu’s birthday to make a
re-think. What are we really looking for? Is it power or money? If power
is anything to go by, I think many people would have gone with the
power many years ago. If it is money, then many of us or many people
would have stopped looking for money. What are we really looking for
that we cannot unite?”
At present, there are many politicians
of Ibo extraction holding high offices in government. For instance, the
Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla, the Secretary to the
Government of the Federal, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, powerful Minister of
Power, Barth Nnaji, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Emeka Ihedioha, and the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu,
are from the South-East. Would any of these come forward to battle for
the presidency or would they all seek solace by supporting a northern
candidate – the way they supported Jonathan to become President?
TINUBU: A political force from South-West
By Kayode Ekundayo and Ismail Adebayo
To many, the interest of former governor
of Lagos State and national leader of Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN],
Asiwju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to become President in 2015, is not hidden.
Tinubu’s actions and moves in recent times are said to be geared towards
the realization of his presidential ambition in 2015.
Long time loyalist and associate of the
ACN leader at Alimosho , the biggest and most populous political
constituency in Lagos state, Alhaji Gbadamosi Ola Adigun, confirmed to
Sunday Trust that Tinubu , is under pressure to contest the 2015
presidential election. “Let me confirm to you that many of our
supporters want Tinubu to contest the presidency. Even though he has
not given his nod to the demand, I can assure you that he will be in the
race when the time comes. He deserves the presidency of this country.
The man is brilliant, he understands the feelings of the people and he
is a committed politician. This is why some of us who have been
following him for long time now have not left him. See what is happening
in all the ACN-controlled states. They are due to the leadership
direction that Asiwaju gave to the governors. So, tell me why such a
person should not be asked or even begged to come out and run for the
presidential election, he said.
Though Tinubu has not openly declared
his interest, some of his populist positions on national issues, like
saying the indigene/settler dichotomy should be abolished, and demanding
that zoning is antithetical to growth of the country, show that he may
want to emerge from the fringes and take a shot at the presidency in
2015. On their own some South-West are already pushing his cause in
their respective states ahead of 2015.
However, his capacity to make inroad
into the North is still in doubt. The ACN had put in much effort to
create an upstage in the recent Kogi State governorship election, but
its candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu was overwhelmed and defeated by a
new entrant into the race. Also, many elements in the North are
disturbed that the party did not lift a finger to help Malam Nuhu
Ribadu, its presidential candidate in 2011 polls. Also, though he seems
to have triumphed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the accusation tends
to have stained his credentials. And to cap the misgiving, a political
heavyweight in Sokoto State and former Democratic Peoples Party (DPP)
presidential candidate, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, who joined the party
ahead of 2011 polls, has pulled out. This further gives the party a
sectional image.
However, Speaking from Osogbo in Osun
State on phone, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Chief Lai
Mohammed, said people are free to join any political party and free to
leave any political party at anytime. As a result of Bafarawa’s exit,
his supporters in Sokoto and Kano also left in solidarity.
Apart from the spread of his party in
the country, Asiwaju Tinubu’s media empire is expanding, giving him an
advantage over many other contenders for the top job in Nigeria. But he
would need to work harder to be able to make a breakthrough.
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