The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, on Friday, said as far as the forthcoming general elections were concerned, politicians from the Northern part of the country had miscalculated.

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), a Northerner, is contesting against President Goodluck Jonathan (a Southerner) of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Okupe, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said Northern politicians got it wrong because they erroneously believed that a national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is the leader of the Yoruba race and that he could deliver the South-West.

He said while doing that, the North left out some of the people that really matter in the zone whom he described as the North’s former allies.

He said, “The North has always had partnership in the South; in the South-West, South-South and South-East.

“But somehow, the North miscalculated this time around because they assumed wrongly that Bola Tinubu was the leader of the Yoruba race, and that if they can strike a deal with him, they have got the South-West.

“While doing that, they left their former allies that included Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (retd.), Richard Akinjide, Omololu Olunloyo and others.”

Okupe said even if Buhari wins the presidential election, which he said was impossible, the North would still lose out.

He said if Buhari wins, he would not be able to do a second term, therefore, giving room for a southerner to again emerge as the President in 2019.

He wondered if the North would be satisfied with only four years when they could have their full eight years from 2019.

“Even if Buhari wins this election, which is impossible, he cannot do a second term. So, when the second term comes, why would other people not contest against him? He is a Northerner and if he cannot run for election again, then, the thing should go back to the South. So, would the North be satisfied with only four years?

“These are the issues. That is why I am saying this 2015 election is beyond Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. It is a matter of national stability,” he explained.

Okupe was of the view that if Jonathan completes his second term of four years in 2019, the North has a chance that cannot be denied to present a candidate who will rule the country for another eight years.

OLADD:


By March 28 and April 11, you will know how politically influential Yoruba Obas are. Be that as it may, Buhari wll never win southwest. Mark my words.

victorD3:
The north is faced with this challenge but I'm sure the engligthened ones understands that their best option is with GEJ completing his term till 2019.

Sanchez01:
Funny how the PDP cannot just concentrate and face their strategies. The South-West people does not need its traditional rulers to tell them who to vote for. Someone's 21 billion Naira might be in vain here.

Sanchez01:
Funny how the PDP cannot just concentrate and face their strategies. The South-West people does not need its traditional rulers to tell them who to vote for. Someone's 21 billion Naira might be in vain here.

OLADD:


By March 28 and April 11, you will know how politically influential Yoruba Obas are. Be that as it may, Buhari wll never win southwest. Mark my words.

[b]Funny, why not take a survey around before making your claim Of all Obas, I stayed in Osun state for a number of years and I'll gladly admit that the Ooni of Ife is a PDP fan but that does not apply to the Alaafin of Oyo who has shown his support towards the APC. As interesting as it is, the son of the Alaafin is running under the platform of the APC. Tell me, why then do you think he'll go against the ambition of his son for a stranger who is totally alien to the culture of the Yoruba people

The only state GEJ will comfortable get his confidence is Ekiti and that's largely due to the fact that the tout in Fayose has stirred fear into the hearts of the people of Ekiti.
And as touching the Ooni, kindly know that the State of Osun is an APC state. There are facts to back this up. Nuhu Ribadu got the highest vote of the S/W in Osun while other S/W states were only average. Trust me, it is not enough to take to a forum and comfort yourself just because you are inclined. I've seen the odds in the S/W and I don't expect the PDP and GEJ to be surprised at the eventual result of the S/W because it's obvious. Okupe knows this, and so does FFK.[/b]

OLADD:


By March 28 and April 11, you will know how politically influential Yoruba Obas are. Be that as it may, Buhari wll never win southwest. Mark my words.

fkaz:
Okupe can not tell northern when to rule, let jonathan partner with the yoruba leaders he mention if they are that important and allow northern to partner with tinubu

blacksta:
The man is gradually accepting defeat....he has gone from GMB can never be president to if GMB wins , that the north will lose out

OrlandoOwoh:

If you care to know, those oba are deceiving Jonathan. The only prominent among them that supports him is the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade. The Alaafin is a die-hard supporter of the APC. He even bought some motorcycles (okada) for the campaign of the party.
Like I always say, go to any newspaper stand in the South West; the argument you hear there will prove to you that Jonathan will lose the election.

Sanchez01:


[b]Funny, why not take a survey around before making your claim Of all Obas, I stayed in Osun state for a number of years and I'll gladly admit that the Ooni of Ife is a PDP fan but that does not apply to the Alaafin of Oyo who has shown his support towards the APC. As interesting as it is, the son of the Alaafin is running under the platform of the APC. Tell me, why then do you think he'll go against the ambition of his son for a stranger who is totally alien to the culture of the Yoruba people

The only state GEJ will comfortable get his confidence is Ekiti and that's largely due to the fact that the tout in Fayose has stirred fear into the hearts of the people of Ekiti.
And as touching the Ooni, kindly know that the State of Osun is an APC state. There are facts to back this up. Nuhu Ribadu got the highest vote of the S/W in Osun while other S/W states were only average. Trust me, it is not enough to take to a forum and comfort yourself just because you are inclined. I've seen the odds in the S/W and I don't expect the PDP and GEJ to be surprised at the eventual result of the S/W because it's obvious. Okupe knows this, and so does FFK.[/b]

OLADD:


Don't bother yourself with mind-soothing epistle. Just quote me after the elections. I am too politically awakened to be swayed with those fables. March 28 and April 11 beckons.

OLADD:


Newspaper stands? Gosh! So you base your judgement on gutter talks from newspaper stands? How many market women and farmers do you see converging at newspapers stands to discuss the outcome of elections? Don't bother to waste your data, just wait till election dates when you will know the scores.

OLADD:


By March 28 and April 11, you will know how politically influential Yoruba Obas are. Be that as it may, Buhari wll never win southwest. Mark my words.

Mynd44:

Apart from the Ooni, which other prominent Yoruba King has been hanging out with the PDP?

You people don't know crap about the hierachy the Obas ooo.

The Ewi of Ado hates Fayose
The Deji of Akure does not want to see Mimiko
The Awujale is Tinubu's pal
The Oba of Lagos is well....lmao
The Alaafin even donated to the APC
The Onibadan

Name Obas in Yorubaland that are more influencial than these ones

MrEverest:
Absolute truism!! I wonder if the abokis have thinking faculty at all. Buhari is officially 72 years, rumours have been flying around that he is far from being healthy, his frail appearance also leds credence to someone, that aside from age related ill-health, is suffering from some terminal disease. People who fail to learn from history are condemned to suffer a repeat of it. Yaradua is still fresh in our minds & the instability caused by his not unexpected demise is still rocking the Nigerian state today!! If the rumours of Buhari's ill health is true & he does a yaradua on us again, will the north accept Osinbajo who would be constitutionally backed to take over?? The Yorubas know this & are cunningly praying for it but the Hausa/Fulani, in their desperation reclaim Aso rock asap, seem to have lost their reasoning & objectivity. Sentiments aside, the north stands to gain with GEJ who will definitely handover to a young & virile northerner & all to loose should they go ahead & support a very risky & uncertain Buhari who may not be able to even complete his first tenure judging from the complex & demanding nature of Nigeria. Sule Lamido will be the ideal man for them & all Nigerians come 2019. A stitch in time saves nine!!!

itetemi:


you dey mind the clowns,even the soun of osogbo