Noah Ebije, Kaduna



The popular saying among Nigerians, nay, Africans, that there is no smoke without fire, may have readily given credence to the current strong speculations that the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai has made up his mind to run for the 2023 presidential election as a candidate from the north under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, is serving his second term in office following his victory at the February presidential election. The latest move by El-rufai, which remains in the background for now, to take a shot at the presidential race in 2023 may go a long way to thwart permutations on the return of power to the South after the North would have had its eight years.

The ‘smoke’ that may have indicated that there is actually a ‘fire’ somewhere towards the presidential ambition of El-rufai was further amplified by some youths in Kaduna State who are believed to be loyal to APC and are already adorning T-shirts with the inscription, “El-rufai for presidency, 2023”.

The youths in their numbers, penultimate Monday, stormed Kaduna Government House, wearing the shirts under El-rufai’s nose to celebrate the tribunal’s judgement that upheld his governorship election against the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Isah Ashiru.

Some of the youths were seen discussing in groups shortly after the celebration in the Government House. Also, posters, bearing El-rufai’s picture for 2023 presidency were earlier sighted on Kaduna streets, particularly along Gwamna road, in the city centre.

Reacting to the development, a political analyst in the State who did not want his name in print noted that, “I don’t see how a volunteer printer in this hard time will use his or her meagre financial resources to print posters and shirts for a politician who is swimming in money. So there must be an unseen hand funding the project from behind, and very soon the coast will be clear for all to see the man behind the wheels. Let’s just wait and see how the event will unfold”.

However, reacting to the speculation on El-rufai’s ambition, the National Coordinator, Buhari Mass Movement (BMM) in 2015 election and 2019 re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Basheer Garba Umar said El-rufai has the constitutional right to gun for the country’s number one position if he so wished.

Umar who also contested Kaduna governorship elections in 2003 under the platform of National Conscience Party (NCP) and United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) in 2007 respectively without success, added that he is ready to support El-rufai for the presidential race.

According to him, “El-rufai will have my outright support as I deem him an achiever per excellence and a bridge builder. He is constitutionally qualified as a Nigerian to contest for the office. He will be able to muster support in his immediate constituency, North West and by extension Northern Nigeria. Whoever contests with him will surely have some headache as he is a strategist and better than others who feel they can strategize”.

Also, in a recent news item on the Kaduna State owned radio station, 90.9 FM which was aired on September 17, the chairman, Lere local government area, Alhaji Abubakar Buba said, “We will do everything possible to make sure that Governor El-rufai contests the 2023 presidential election”.

“The quality and leadership style of Governor Nasir El-rufai has started attracting agitation from individuals and groups calling on him to contest the 2023 presidential election. One of the groups, Nasiriya organisation inaugurated recently in Kaduna to champion sensitization of the people on the need to work towards achieving this goal. The national chairman of the organisation, Garkuwa Ibrahim Buwaya said the decision was informed by the capability and wisdom of the governor to consolidate on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari after his second term in office”.

For the Kaduna State Publicity Secretary of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Abraham Catoh, “Governor Nasir El-rufai’s speculated aspiration for the 2023 presidential election is entirely his personal decision, which is anchored on the 1999 Constitution and it is also an intra-party affair. In any case, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is still in court challenging the 2019 presidential elections.

Should the Supreme Court judgement favour the PDP and Atiku Abubakar, El-rufai and other presidential aspirants would set aside their aspirations till the end of Atiku’s tenure. The legal battle is still on, I can’t speak further than this”.

But for the officials of the State All Progressives Congress (APC), their silence over the speculation was too loud. Neither the State chairman, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jakanda (Retd) nor the State Secretary, Yahaya Baba Pate responded to text messages sent to them by our Correspondent over the issue.

mrvitalis:
Greed of south west has cost southern nigeria 2023 .. History never forgets

U have ruled for 8 years , u have been vice 8 years
Support igbos that haven't ruled ...u said i want to rule again

North just give igbos vice n carry go ...u can even give south south vice and give us senate president we dont really care ....lets start afresh

Tolexander:
Did you Igbo support the Yorubas in all the years you mentioned, before calling on support from the other side?

seunmsg:
Over 70 people from all over the country contested the 2019 election and only one person won. El-Rufai’s right to legitimately aspire for the presidency is constitutionally guaranteed. That he wants to contest doesn’t mean he will win. In fact, he cannot win. Dankwambo, Tambuwal, Kwakwanso and some other PDP governors aspired to be president in 2019, we all know how it ended.

All the northern politicians floating around the idea that they want to run in 2023 are only doing so to position themselves for Vice President. They know APC will zone its presidential ticket to the south. Even if APC will field a northerner, it won’t be from the north west. So, no cause for alarm. Let’s allow El-Ruffy to keep testing the waters.

izzou:


As much as I don't like this thread and it's insensitivity, yes, the Igbos supported Ex president Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003.

He was in PDP and defeated Odimegwu Ojukwu in some Eastern states

Victornezzar:

Keep on consoling yourself

You don't wanna come to the reality

Tolexander:
Odumegwu Ojukwu never contested the 1999 election.

The Ndigbo went against the Yoruba wish of voting for Olu Falae of AD in the election. Olusegun Obasanjo was imposed by the Northerners and the South East went with the northerners to elect Obasanjo.

The 2003 election was rigged for Obasanjo against Odumegwu Ojukwu in the East.

Peace

izzou:


Okay

In a single word, what tribe ruled us from 1999 to 2003?

Tolexander:
The bone of contention is the supports transacted across the lower course of River Niger

Thank you for answering truthfully

God bless you

Tolexander:
Did you Igbo support the Yorubas in all the years you mentioned, before calling on support from the other side?

mrvitalis:
Greed of south west has cost southern nigeria 2023 .. History never forgets

U have ruled for 8 years , u have been vice 8 years
Support igbos that haven't ruled ...u said i want to rule again

North just give igbos vice n carry go ...u can even give south south vice and give us senate president we dont really care ....lets start afresh

mrvitalis:

We did in 1999 n 2003

Tolexander:
The bone of contention is the supports transacted across the lower course of River Niger

adeolakemi:
TYPICAL YORUBA ANSWER HIS QUESTION , IS OBASANJO NOT YORUBA ... WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR TRIBE ......

seunmsg:


What is the reality?

Victornezzar:

Power won't return to the south in 2023

Tolexander:
You were not politically conscious those periods you mentioned

famouscargo4u:


In as much as I want an Igbo president but the north i know will Never align with the East. If a Northern presidential candidate emerges in APC, he will Still choose a Yoruba person where APC has footing. Well, I see PDP having a Northern presidential candidate and Igbo VP.

mrvitalis:

See this one running from pilar to post

Now u want us to back u in 2023 so u can back us later ?

Tolexander:
Yoruba may not need your backing.

You’ve never been backing them, so no need

mrvitalis:

Igbo have north have had most alliance more than any group in nigeria say what u know

mrvitalis:

Told u 1999 and 2003 u are talking another story

The truth is every tribe now know yorubas are not to be trusted ...u are now seen as greedy

seunmsg:
Over 70 people from all over the country contested the 2019 election and only one person won. El-Rufai’s right to legitimately aspire for the presidency is constitutionally guaranteed. That he wants to contest doesn’t mean he will win. In fact, he cannot win. Dankwambo, Tambuwal, Kwakwanso and some other PDP governors aspired to be president in 2019, we all know how it ended.

All the northern politicians floating around the idea that they want to run in 2023 are only doing so to position themselves for Vice President. They know APC will zone its presidential ticket to the south. Even if APC will field a northerner, it won’t be from the north west. So, no cause for alarm. Let’s allow El-Ruffy to keep testing the waters.