The All Progressives Congress (APC) will be facing a big test in the next few hours as the party picks a running mate for its presidential candidate, former military Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
The All Progressives Cong-ress, APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is in a dilemma over the choice of a running mate for the forthcoming presidential contest. Buhari’s dilemma was said to have been accentuated by the rise in his ratings after the largely successful convention which has raised the prospects of a possible APC led Federal Government thus attracting many more interests into the choice of a running mate.
Major contenders for the post, according to sources, include former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ex-Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Yemi Osibajo.
Governor Babatunde Fashola who is a popular choice among many stakeholders, is however, challenged by a resolution of the party on ethno-religious balancing of the party ticket (Muslim/Muslim ticket). Stakeholders pushing for the Southwest are saying that a candidate from the region would galvanise the people of the region to fully come out in support of the party during the election. That argument is also said to be re-energizing the prospect of Governor Fashola with some saying that the Southwest is unmindful of religion in the determination of political office holders.
However, NigerianEye can confirm that Prof. Yemi Osibajo appears the most likely choice because of his untainted public record and intellectual depth. Apart from being a member of Tinubu’s inner circle, Osibajo is a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a close associate of the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Many Christians are likely to support this choice. Hailing from Ikene, the hometown of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo , is also seen as an added advantage. The three geo-political zones in the South namely: South-South, South-East and South-West were also said to be showing interest in the vice-presidential slot.
However there are indications that the party may concede the VP slot to the South-West, contrary to speculations that South-East or South-South would clinch it.
Shedding light on why the South-West may be favoured for the slot, a reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Hopefully, Buhari’s running mate will emerge on Monday or Tuesday. We will make our position known by then.
“We are building consensus on the South-West as the zone to produce the vice-presidential candidate.
“You may be hearing of some names being dropped, we have not finalised discussion on who should be chosen. Our leaders are weighing the options on who to pick and they are extremely careful.”
Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: “The slot is for the South-West, based on strategic political calculations.
“And if you look at the power sharing ratio in the country today, the South-West is short-changed. Even the Senate presidency zoned to the South-West was denied it at the last minute in June 2011.”
But that the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party would meet and take a decision on the matter.
He dismissed comments on the social media that the party had picked a running mate.
“We haven’t even met,” Mohammed said.
The party also denied a report that it had picked the Rivers States Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, as Buhari’s running mate.
Mohammed told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Friday that picking a vice-presidential candidate would require wide consultation, but said the party would announce the person next week.
“What you are reading now is the handiwork of mischief makers. No one had been picked as Buhari’s running mate but we will pick and announce next week,” he said.
Who do you think will be the best choice for Buhari to use for the VP slot?
A) Kayode Fayemi
B)Olagunsoye Oyinlola
C)Chibuike Amaechi
D)Babatunde Fashola
E)Adams Oshiomhole
F)Yemi Osibajo
G) Others...
The All Progressives Cong-ress, APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is in a dilemma over the choice of a running mate for the forthcoming presidential contest. Buhari’s dilemma was said to have been accentuated by the rise in his ratings after the largely successful convention which has raised the prospects of a possible APC led Federal Government thus attracting many more interests into the choice of a running mate.
Major contenders for the post, according to sources, include former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ex-Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Yemi Osibajo.
Governor Babatunde Fashola who is a popular choice among many stakeholders, is however, challenged by a resolution of the party on ethno-religious balancing of the party ticket (Muslim/Muslim ticket). Stakeholders pushing for the Southwest are saying that a candidate from the region would galvanise the people of the region to fully come out in support of the party during the election. That argument is also said to be re-energizing the prospect of Governor Fashola with some saying that the Southwest is unmindful of religion in the determination of political office holders.
However, NigerianEye can confirm that Prof. Yemi Osibajo appears the most likely choice because of his untainted public record and intellectual depth. Apart from being a member of Tinubu’s inner circle, Osibajo is a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a close associate of the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Many Christians are likely to support this choice. Hailing from Ikene, the hometown of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo , is also seen as an added advantage. The three geo-political zones in the South namely: South-South, South-East and South-West were also said to be showing interest in the vice-presidential slot.
However there are indications that the party may concede the VP slot to the South-West, contrary to speculations that South-East or South-South would clinch it.
Shedding light on why the South-West may be favoured for the slot, a reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Hopefully, Buhari’s running mate will emerge on Monday or Tuesday. We will make our position known by then.
“We are building consensus on the South-West as the zone to produce the vice-presidential candidate.
“You may be hearing of some names being dropped, we have not finalised discussion on who should be chosen. Our leaders are weighing the options on who to pick and they are extremely careful.”
Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: “The slot is for the South-West, based on strategic political calculations.
“And if you look at the power sharing ratio in the country today, the South-West is short-changed. Even the Senate presidency zoned to the South-West was denied it at the last minute in June 2011.”
But that the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party would meet and take a decision on the matter.
He dismissed comments on the social media that the party had picked a running mate.
“We haven’t even met,” Mohammed said.
The party also denied a report that it had picked the Rivers States Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, as Buhari’s running mate.
Mohammed told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Friday that picking a vice-presidential candidate would require wide consultation, but said the party would announce the person next week.
“What you are reading now is the handiwork of mischief makers. No one had been picked as Buhari’s running mate but we will pick and announce next week,” he said.
Who do you think will be the best choice for Buhari to use for the VP slot?
A) Kayode Fayemi
B)Olagunsoye Oyinlola
C)Chibuike Amaechi
D)Babatunde Fashola
E)Adams Oshiomhole
F)Yemi Osibajo
G) Others...
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