Asiwaju Tinubu tipped for Senate President as APC leaders favour Oshiomhole as Buhari’s VP Barring any last-minute change, the coast now seems clear for Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to emerge as running mate to Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, as the party rounds off its series of caucus sessions today. Buhari had emerged on Thursday as the APC presidential candidate at the party’s convention in Lagos, defeating close rivals like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Following Buhari’s emergence, the party leaders have been holding closed-door meetings in Lagos, to consider candidates for the vice president slot. A source at one of the meetings said to have held at the Bourdillon residence of the party national leader in Lagos, former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, disclosed that the APC had finally resolved to zone the position of Vice President to the South-South region. The top member of the party who craved anonymity, said: “Initially, we wanted to zone the position to the South-West but we also put into consideration, the fact that President Jonathan is from the South-South and it may be unwise to take the Presidency away from the zone under the circumstance.” The source added that two candidates were considered for the position, namely Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and his Rivers counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi. He explained that the party eventually saw the Oshiomhole option as more attractive for about four reasons. “One, he is a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and as such, the labour force still see him as their leader. “Two, he is a Christian from the Roman Catholic sect, which accounts for the highest population of Christians in the country . “Again, Oshiomhole is vociferous, vocal and articulate in persuasive prowess, unlike Buhari who is not as such endowed with the gift of the garb. “And above all, Oshiomhole speaks the Hausa language fluently as he grew up in Kaduna where he had his early education.” The source further disclosed that the fact that the current national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is not only from the South-South but from Edo State as with Oshiomhole, was put into consideration at the Lagos meeting. “We have decided that Odigie-Oyegun should step down for the sake of Oshiomhole and it would seem he is showing understanding on the issue,” he stressed. The source also hinted that the South-West will now be compensated with the position of Senate President by the APC and that Tinubu was preferred for the position. He said the former Lagos governor had been advised to consult with his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who has already won the Lagos Central Senatorial District’s ticket, to step down and forfeit the ticket to her husband. “For all I know, we are moving on; there will be no rancour over position sharing,” the source assured.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 07:40:20 +0000