Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

* APC Stakeholders Say Age, Religion, Experience Favours VP As Buhari's Successor

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, some powerbrokers in the ruling All Progressives Con­gress (APC) are already mounting pressure on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the party, to bury his rumoured presidential ambition in 2023 and queue behind Vice Pres­ident Yemi Osinbajo, Daily In­dependent has gathered.

Even though Tinubu is yet to declare whether he will run in 2023 or not, a lot of his supporters believe he is very much interested in the race and his silence is borne out of his desire not to distract the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is yet to mark two years of his second term in office.

However, some of his sup­porters have been launching several groups, both at home and in the diaspora, to rally support for his ambition, saying it is non-negotiable.

Also, some prominent Nigerians have also been canvassing support for Tinu­bu’s presidential ambition, saying he is the best man to succeed President Buhari in 2023. They include Baba­chir Lawal, a former Secre­tary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); elder statesman, Tanko Yakassai, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Chief Henry Ajomale and several others.

Daily Independent gath­ered that prominent lead­ers of APC have resolved to zone the position of national chairman to the North while the presidency will be zoned to the South, with many of them agreeing in principle that it will be unfair for the North to retain the position after President Buhari must have completed his eight years.

It was also learnt that many of the party leaders, es­pecially in the Northern bloc of the country, are favourably disposed to Osinbajo taking over from Buhari based on his loyalty, commitment and deep knowledge of the pro­grammes of the government, especially relating to the man­agement of the economy.

According to a credible source in the party, “There is no doubt Asiwaju is inter­ested in the 2023 presidential race. He has every right to do so and he is very qualified based on his record as a for­mer senator, governor of La­gos for eight years and what he has been able to achieve nationally even after leaving office.

“But for many of us, we believe that if the presidency is zoned to the South and lat­er micro-zoned to the South- West, the current vice presi­dent should be allowed to take over from the president. We have adduced so many rea­sons for this".

“The first is that he has been tested before and he has proven that he has the exper­tise to manage the affairs of a diverse nation like Nigeria. We are all witnesses to what happened in 2017 when Pres­ident Buhari was ill and the vice president presided over the affairs of the nation in acting capacity.

“That was a period when Nigeria was almost at the precipice with many groups in the country, especially the proscribed Indigenous Peo­ples of Biafra (IPOB), seeking self-determination. He was able to manage the situation very well to the admiration of the whole country and even the president commended him upon his return to the country.

“There are also other fac­tors we are putting into con­sideration. Three of these fac­tors are age, religion and his unblemished public record. The vice president is 63 now and will be 66 by 2023. He will be a blend between the young­er and older generation and many youths already see him as one of their own.

“On the issue of religion, we all know the two major re­ligions in this country are Is­lam and Christianity. It will be awkward if we allow anoth­er Muslim to take over from President Buhari in 2023. I doubt if that will be fair to our brothers in the Christian faith".

“However, 2023 is still a long way from now and the president will not impose a successor. We the party lead­ers will also not do likewise. We can only appeal to the likes of Asiwaju and present these facts before him.

“One thing is certain, the APC presidential ticket will not be handed over to anyone on a platter of gold. At the end of the day, everyone will be asked to go to the field and test their strength. Whoever wins the party’s ticket, then good luck to him”, he said.

Speaking with our cor­respondent, a senior lawyer from the South-South, who is also a member of the APC, said he personally advised Tinubu to maintain his re­spect as national leader of the APC and support one of the boys he has mentored po­litically, especially Osinbajo whom he (Tinubu) nominated as running mate to Buhari in December 2014.

“We used to be very close and I have offered him advice in time past. I once advised him to remain as the party’s national leader and nominate one of his boys as president. A lot of people said Buhari has relegated him but I believe Osinbajo as a man of God and gentleman won’t do that. I said he will even have more influence in the government compared to what is hap­pening now. But I believe he wasn’t receptive to the idea and we have not been talking again,” he said.

https://www.independent.ng/pressure-mounts-on-tinubu-to-back-osinbajo-for-2023-presidency/

Mi bloodclaat!



When and when a we gwan get it right inna dis ah Nation?


Dis ah example of di devil and di deep sea. Two Gorilla-looking battymen fi president?

God don't like UGLY you don't know. So me ah say, Dem fi go suck deh mada too bloodclaat!

Osibanjo is the man.

Arrrrrrrh

It's obvious and one could envisage that Tinubu time is far gone. He should better goan rest. Besides his supporters are only in Lagos or any other Western part, he shouldn't forget that the North is the chief. I don't think Obasanjo will back him on this move.

However, some of his sup­porters have been launching several groups, both at home and in the diaspora, to rally support for his ambition, saying it is non-negotiable.

Somebody said, Nigeria has the highest number of stupid people in the world. But wait, what are they supporting a dead career?

Misplaced priority.

Health factor is also there. Is that what PMB is telling Tinubu in the picture

The North just dey use SW dey catch cruise.

E go do una like movie

Nigerians are tired of the Party

I will prefer Major Adeniyi that was court Marshalled, he has seen it all, hence voiced out. if given the opportunity to head wat he criticised then I think he won't be scared to bring out all the logistic and intelligent loopholes.

Bunch of morons. I know one day this fools will die and leave us alone with our problem in this country. They are just adding to our problems in every ramifications, and yet they are not ready to leave power.

Power should go to the East

A Cigarette smoker without money can leave
his house with faith that when He gets to
the joint his friends will buy for him and for
sure even without begging, his friends will
say guy take one stick. That's Love.
A guy who loves beer without money can
leave his house to a beer parlour with faith
that his gang members will buy for him and
for sure even without asking, his friends will
say guy take one bottle. That's love.
But can a hungry/jobless person leave his
house to a religious organisation with faith
that someone will give him money to come
and eat
Where is the love that we preach everyday?
Have you bothered to ask a member of your
church.religious organisations how life is
treating them? People go through a lot and
only few will voice out.
Someone will sow 1million naira seed in a
religious gathering but beg him for 1k out
side he will say no money.
This is why it's easy for the devil to confuse
young minds to join bad gang because they
even show love more than most people that
preach love.
We the religious people really have to step
up and start practising this love that we
preach. I hope that I am communicating?

Yes, we the Yorubas will gladly support the move

I really pray Tinubu himself contest. The disgrace go loud ehn

Which year we dey again sef...

Yobabad:
Yes, we the Yorubas will gladly support the move

Thesame way hausa/fulani gladly supported the move that brought Buhari into power.

Till we get beyond politics of tribes and religion, we will never elect credible leaders and the system will keep decaying.

That is the only way APC stands a better chance

Nigerian politics is a family business.. Small time now kiki osibanjo go come out as a governorship candidate.

We don't men that older than Nigeria ruling it

Both of them are Criminals.

... I bet you, power will still remain in the north until the west stops her betrayal attitude and hatred for the south. even if no one is contesting from the south, southerners will not vote a westerner... an eye for an eye


you are hating and betraying someone and yet no gain.... by the way, is thifnubu still in shock?

Truly is anything wrong about that?

Na divine intervention we just need for this country.
Buhari was a presumed Saint while campaigning him and pastor even dey share sachet milo.

There was pressure on tinubu to support and help ize-iyamu but we saw the outcome.. tinubu is a fail pressure Godfather

Yobabad:
Yes, we the Yorubas will gladly support the move

Tribalistic Pigot.

If Tinubu is reasonable enough,he should front Osinbajo.

spartan50:
Power should go to the East

Like, seriously?


What happened to IPOB's agitation for The Republic of Biafra? Una no want am again?

Nobody cares about the present condition of Nigeria and Nigerians anymore.... All they talk about is 2023 election.


What a people... Really sad.

originalprof:
There was pressure on tinubu to support and help ize-iyamu but we saw the outcome.. tinubu is a fail pressure Godfather

Osinbajo needs no GODfatherism. Simple logic

He is the Joshua of our time and his role as a president has been prophecized already but he thought it was for a vice presidential position so i wont be surprised if he is nominanted.