The presidential election in February, 2015 is no doubt the best
opportunity for an opposition party, the APC, a coalition of parties,
namely AC, ANPP, CPC and a faction of APGA, to clinch the coveted
post of the presidency in Nigeria. Under the prevailing situation in the
country, with the ruling party, the PDP, in bad shape, the presidency
is there for grab by the new formidable opposition. But this can only
be achieved if the APC does not commit mistakes of playing into the
hands of the PDP. This calls for selflessness on the part of the leaders
of the APC and their presidential aspirants. The APC should by now
know the best candidate they can sell to the public. Naturally, such a
candidate should come from those leaders who had gone through
thick and thin to form the party in the first place. One of these
pioneers is Gen. Buhari of the CPC which merged with CAN, ANPP,
and a faction of APGA.
As it is, the APC and its founding fathers have accommodated new
comers who I believe, should have kept away from contesting the
presidential primary. But because the APC and its leaderships believe
in the democratic process, the race was thrown open to all those who
are interested in becoming the president, regardless of their initial
contribution to the tortuous journey of getting the party recognized.
In this connection, one would have thought that a consensus
candidate would have been agreed upon, but the leaders opted for
the primary in order to keep the party intact.
Of all the candidates, Gen. Buhari remains on top because he is the
one with notable exposure in the 36 states of the federation,
including the FCT. His popularity in the North is legendary. He stands
shoulder high in the fight against corruption and indiscipline for
which he is also a legendary figure, not to mention his Spartan
discipline.
Nigerian needs Buhari more than Buhari needs Nigeria in her darkest
hours of indiscipline, impunity and corruption.
If the issues of indiscipline and corruption can be tackled with the
vigor by which Buhari did when he was Head of State, Nigeria may be
on its way to redemption. Therefore, his candidature will send jitters
to the PDP who already know his position against corruption which
had been the PDP’s trademark for 16 years! I can imagine some PDP
politicians decamping to APC for fear of the unknown in Buhari’s
presidency in 2015.
A good advice for whoever picks the APC’s presidential ticket
concerns the choice of his running mate. First advice is who should
not be his running mate % a muslim and a Yoruba, if the APC must
win the presidential election next year. Well meaning Nigerians have
been advised against the volatile issue of a muslim%muslim ticket.
Already the PDP has labelled APC a muslim party which we all know is
not true. To present a muslim%muslim ticket is to give the PDP a
potent weapon as a campaign issue. Remember that Obasanjo, a
Yoruba, has just finished 8 years as president of Nigeria in 2007. This
was to be followed by a candidate from the South or North. Now, the
candidate is zoned to the North. Already a South%South is the
incumbent president. For the purpose of fairness, a South%West
should not be put forward as vice presidential candidate. This is
where the South%East comes in. If they cannot clinch the presidential
ticket, they should be considered for the V.P so as to give the South
%East a sense of belonging. The APC is already solid in the South
%West and the North. Because of Obasanjo who had just finished 8
years as president, the Yoruba, who are a sophisticated people, do
not clamour for a position in the presidency, i.e. president or vice
president, the latter being a potential president.
Now, Rochas Okorocha would be a good candidate for the V.P except
that he is already contesting as president. Rotimi Amaechi and
Comrade Oshiomole are also good candidates, except that they come
from the same zone with Jonathan who is the incumbent president.
This leaves the best choice of V.P candidate to the South East if the
party hopes to win votes from that zone. There are many important
positions to be shared, but the bottom line is: no muslim%muslim
ticket and no Yoruba as Vice-president. The APC should not downplay
the role of electorate’s sensibilities on matters of this nature, for we
are in Nigeria and not in the UK or America where deft political
calculations do not matter. After all, what the APC wants is to send
the PDP packing in 2015. This could be done not by political leaders
but by the electorate who go to the polls under a combination of
factors: religion and ethnicity which, in addition, would have the
prevailing horrible economic, security and social crises for the parties,
especially the PDP, to contend with. Pragmaticism is the sure
philosophy here, that is if APC will win, the right choices of good and
acceptable presidential and vice presidential candidates will do the
work. No sentiment, selfishness, self help or carelessness. Our
leaders must not disappoint us. If APC wins, all the members win; if it
loses, all of them lose in a fell-swop. And lovers of APC may never
forgive their leaders should they bungle this golden opportunity of
ruling Nigeria for once and for a change. Thanks.

That picture got me ROTF ....Nice analysis though.