Tinubu holds Buhari to ransom over VP Ex-Lagos governor insists on self or surrogate. After a series of meetings that started last Friday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday failed again to agree on who will pair its presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in the February 2015 presidential poll. Party chiefs who gathered in Abuja to continue the meeting that started last Friday in Lagos after Buhari had defeated four others, including former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, to emerge the party’s presidential candidate, could not break the logjam arising from the insistence of a national leader of the party and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, to be named Buhari’s running mate. Tinubu, one of the chief financiers of the party, had refused to give up his vice-presidential ambition despite opposition from other party chiefs who are against a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Tinubu, who is from the South-West, is a Muslim like Buhari, from the North-West. Alternatively, the former Lagos State governor said he would nominate his surrogate to the position, an idea which does not bode well with many party leaders. Buhari, it was learnt, is not disposed to picking former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Yemi Osibajo, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), who Tinubu prefers to replace him. Sources said Buhari is against the Osibajo candidacy because it would not add much value to the ticket like in 2011 when he picked Pastor Tunde Bakare to run with him. However, sources close to the APC meeting, which was still on as at 10.20pm yesterday, said two other names have emerged as possible replacement for Tinubu: former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Segun Oni. But one of the sources said Oyinlola’s candidacy had been knocked out on the grounds of his military background like that of Buhari’s. An aide of Tinubu told New Telegraph that despite the suggestions of other names, his principal was still interested in the vice-presidency. The choice of the running mate has been laced with intrigues and horse trading. So far, the only headway was the resolution that the South-West will produce the vice-presidential candidate. Former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, is reportedly leading the rebellion against the choice of Tinubu as Buhari’s running mate. The governors are also opposed to his choice, preferring one of their own. A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) told New Telegraph that about 10 meetings have been held without a way out. “Tinubu is insisting on being on the ballot while several people have kicked against his choice on the basis of religion. “There is groundswell of opposition to a Muslim- Muslim ticket. This argument does not make sense to Tinubu,” the source said. Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) have also featured prominently among those gunning for the running mate. APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, however said yesterday that despite the intrigues, Buhari would name his running mate today. He spoke with newsmen when the party leaders broke for a short break during one of their meetings in Abuja. When the APC national chairman was asked why the issue of the party’s running mate was being delayed, he said: “It is not delayed. I have a feeling that the candidate will speak to you by tomorrow.” Asked if it is for the candidate to pick his running mate, he said: “The party has consulted with the candidate and we have reached some agreements and he will address you on it.”
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 06:17:44 +0000
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