In the run up to the 2015 general elections, it emerged at the weekend that there are permutations in top political circles to draft Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to run as President.

Daily Independent gathered exclusively that already, political associates of the Speaker have begun consultations across different political parties, especially the opposition camp.

There were unconfirmed reports that some aggrieved members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have opened discussions with the leadership of both the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the merger talks between the two parties peaked last week.

Curiously too, three Senators on the platform of the PDP as well as a former Governor (now a Senator) are said to be spear-heading the Tambuwal for President Project with tacit support of some opposition party members.

Three weeks ago, after their first meeting in a Middle East country, the group sought to extend their moves to the South West geo-political zone but for the reception organised for former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, as most of the former South West Governors and ex-Ministers already in the know of the project were busy with the former President’s programme.

A source familiar with the move to draft Tambuwal into the 2015 race said on Sunday: “What we are doing is to take advantage of the current political mood of the nation vis-à-vis what is going on within the PDP; in the PDP if we continue this way, what we are facing is forced political enslavement by mediocres who are doing everything to entrench themselves.

“As at today, no one can be said to be happy that we are in this mess, and some selfish individuals rather than giving quality advice to the President, are making things difficult for him by the day.

“For all the opposition against the President, even by his opponents, no one has said the man is bad as a person; but there are certain persons who mill around him to confuse him.

“We are aware that such persons have already commenced moves to say the man should run; for such persons, it is a matter of personal survival and not that of the country and not because they love President Jonathan.

“The reason we are exploring other options is that when a sitting President decides to contest the ticket of the PDP, especially in Nigeria, it is difficult for anyone to beat him to the ticket.

“That is why we are gunning for a younger person to challenge him should he decide to run; and the platform could be any party, especially now that all other political parties are coming together to fight the PDP,” the source said.

The source, however, added that Tambuwal was yet to open any discussions with the group.

“The man appears to be studying the situation, he has kept quiet, but we will forge ahead to save the nation from being plunged into crisis.”

When I read the report in one national daily last week to the effect that there were pressures on House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal aka AWT to join the 2015 presidential race, I laughed. I laughed because the idea, orchestrated by some people close to the centre of power in Abuja, had been on since November last year and it was plainly to draw Tambuwal into the fray and then leave him in the lurch. And Tambuwal, a smart and suave young man, knows this so well as I do. I know he won’t fall for it. Don’t get me wrong; AWT is eminently qualified for the presidency. Apart from his academic attainment, he has demonstrated good leadership in the way and manner he has been running the affairs of the House and can always ride on that any day for political ascendancy.

bappahman: If the Tambuwal/Fashola ticket becomes a reality do u think nigerians will vote for them

confusion247: If it becomes reality, then we will have south south republic, Biafra and Nigeria. That will be welcomed development.

van bonattel:

Two muslims?

bappahman:
Why cos ss/se are nt in leadership?

confusion247:
The answer can easily be found in injustice. Jonathan must complete his second term in office if we still want Nigeria. Then after that Igbos should be allowed to rule if we believe in justice and equality.

bappahman:
Why cos ss/se are nt in leadership?

coolkris: Who is tambuwal?

jomonic:

Because this alliance of North and West got us to the pr esent impasse. Ruling at the pinnacle of governance should be open to all irrespective of tribe. I fervently pray that CPC fails.

slimghost: Lwkmd! APC, dead on arrival! GEJ till 2019!

eggheaders: the tribal warlords are here again.I don't wanna start this back and forth with them anymore. to the topic, that ticket looks promising tambuwal/fashola.we really need a break from this putrid air.

eggheaders: the tribal warlords are here again.I don't wanna start this back and forth with them anymore. to the topic, that ticket looks promising tambuwal/fashola.we really need a break from this putrid air.

confusion247:
The answer can easily be found in injustice. Jonathan must complete his second term in office if we still want Nigeria. Then after that Igbos should be allowed to rule if we believe in justice and equality.

onatisi:
they cant win,two things determines politics in nigeria ,ethnicity and religion.the two has to be balances on the ethnic side they got it but on the religion side they missed it

onatisi:
they cant win,two things determines politics in nigeria ,ethnicity and religion.the two has to be balances on the ethnic side they got it but on the religion side they missed it

ilugunboy: The idea look really tempting and interesting...It will definitely sell across the country except probably SE and SS simply because of ethnicity and religion bigotry of these two regions.

eggheaders: the tribal warlords are here again.I don't wanna start this back and forth with them anymore. to the topic, that ticket looks promising tambuwal/fashola.we really need a break from this putrid air.

eggheaders: the tribal warlords are here again.I don't wanna start this back and forth with them anymore. to the topic, that ticket looks promising tambuwal/fashola.we really need a break from this putrid air.

ilugunboy: The idea look really tempting and interesting...It will definitely sell across the country except probably SE and SS simply because of ethnicity and religion bigotry of these two regions.

bappahman:
Are u happy with the way thins are or just cos ur frm ss/se?

slimghost:

Happy? Maybe! The North should have let GEJ have his one term in peace so he wouldn't have any excuse for failing. Nothing North will appeal to SE/SS, we were not born to be under them!

van bonattel:

They cannot win, nobody from the south can vote a northerner in 2015, except two northern guys are contesting fro APC and PDP.

bappahman:
So cos they r both muslim...
So name ur potential wining team

van bonattel:

It will never sell, the xtians will see it as an insult, and as at the last time I checked, xtians are up to 50% of this country.

ilugunboy:

Speak for yourself or better still for your village ...never lump the whole of south into this PDP desperation to retain power to continue this present misrule