NORTHERN GOVERNORS SPLIT OVER VP SLOT IN APC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES
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Adeniyi Onaara
As stakeholders converge on Eagle Square for the All Progressives Congress national convention, additional details have emerged about why governors of the APC extraction have been unable to accept a candidate from the South to stand in for President Muhammadu Buhari’s demand.
According to a reliable source within the party, the governors’ individual interests have thrown a wrench in the president’s demand that they narrow the number of presidential candidates, but the governors are eager to recommend Southern presidential aspirants who are in league with them for a vice presidential slot.
According to the source, the majority of northern governors pushing for power rotation to the south may not be doing so for nationalistic reasons, but rather to achieve their own personal ambitions.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for example, is reported to have guaranteed Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje the vice presidential post, while Kayode Fayemi is said to be working closely with Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to pair as a running mate.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is alleged to be working with Atiku Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi State and the Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, PGF.
Also, former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, is thought to be sparing for Ibikunle Amosun.
As stakeholders troop into Eagle Square, venue for the All Progressives Congress national convention, more facts have emerged on why governors of the APC extraction have not been able to adopt an aspirant from the South to stand in for endorsement as candidate of the party in response to the demand made to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A reliable source in the party said the individual interest of the governors have pushed a wedge in the demand made by the president for the governors to narrow the number of aspirants but the governors were eager to recommend Southern presidential aspirants who are in league with them for a vice presidential slot.
The source said that most of the northern governors pushing power rotation to the south may not be doing so for any nationalistic reason but in furtherance of their individual person ambition.
For instance, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is said to have promised Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State the VP slot, while Kayode Fayemi as learnt, is working closely with Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to pair as running mate.
The same is also claimed for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is said to be working with Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi State governor and Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, PGF.
Also, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum is believed to be sparing for Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State.
In line with the working accord, the prospective vice presidential aspirants are said to be securely holding their state delegates for the presidential aspirants.
“They have all promised each other vice president one by one.
“You can see why they didn’t settle for any one of them. You can also see why they narrowed the choice to just five aspirants and why about seven aspirants have rejected the shortlist. It is a selfish game that has kept the party on a standstill for weeks,” the source said.
Our source also disclosed that delegates’ lists are being doctored and changed at state and national levels especially in the South West ahead of the voting Tuesday night.
As at press time, it was learnt VP is in firm control of Ogun and Ondo delegates while Kayode Fayemi holds tight to Ekiti delegates. Lagos and Osun go to Asiwaju Tinubu. Oyo is said to be between Tinubu and Osinbajo.
Given the scenario, the party has resolved to go for election.
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