As the all-important 2023 presidential race is set to kick off, signs are becoming increasingly clear that the Southwest leadership and members of the All Progressive Congress are divided between Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This is more so as the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is cautiously planning and strategising to be the ruling party’s nominee.
The division over the two top party members, according to party sources, is because of the various interests playing out and the likely effects an Osinbajo or Tinubu presidency would have on major political players in the region and who is better suited to win the election for the party.
A source, who is also an APC chieftain, told ThePledge on Monday that since it has become implicit that the Southwest region will produce the presidential candidate of the ruling party, the two prominent candidates in the region will be the Vice President and the former Lagos State Governor. This, he said, is causing division among the various groups and interests within the party in the region.
“Even though the APC leadership has not come out concretely with its zoning arrangement, but we all know from the body language of most of the leaders that the Southwest is likely going to produce the party’s flag-bearer for the 2023 presidential election. And the likelihood of this has made the two biggest political players to go to work through their surrogates”, the source said.
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According to him, leadership of the party in the region is not unaware of the influence of Tinubu and his formidable war chest to successfully prosecute a presidential project, but they are equally aware of the likely problems that might come with it, hence their preference for Osinbajo.
The Pledge also gathered that the Southwest APC governors are not taking it lightly on who among the likely candidates will protect their interests in a post Buhari era and are already liaising with their Northern counterparts to pick a candidate who according to sources, will not “throw away the Buhari legacy or come with a vengeance” and reenact his own doctrine.
A Northern senator indeed confided in this reporter that the region’s political establishment are keenly monitoring the terrain and are determined to make sure they do not miscalculate in supporting the wrong person. “We are not unconcerned of the various moves and alliances shaping up across the country. But one thing should be clear to the aspirants and that is the Buhari factor”.
The senator who wants to be anonymous said: “There is no doubt that President Buhari will be interested in who takes over from him, because like other presidents, PMB will also be interested in ensuring that his legacy is firmly in the hands of a loyalist who believes in his philosophy. In that case, the VP will likely be favoured because being part and parcel of the Buhari government, it will be foolhardy for him to go against a legacy he was part of.
“Don’t also forget that the ruling class is conscious of the experience of Tinubu in the art and use of power and will therefore be cautious and careful in handing over the enormous powers of the presidency to him. If you ask me, the political class of which I am an active member will be more comfortable with the lesser evil of an Osinbajo presidency than that of Tinubu who understands the use of power and money”.
The senator however sounded a note of caution that the VP still has a daunting task in convincing the Muslims and other skeptics that the toga of religiosity which he has been severally accused of has been shelved. He said Osinbajo has not been able to convince critics that he will not unduly favour his Redeemed Church members if given the ticket.
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“The VP has a lot to do in convincing worried party leaders and members of the public that he will be a president for all Nigerians. His antecedents and the various appointments he made in the past have not shown that he will be above board. So, he has to convince us with his actions that he will rule without fear or favour”, the senator said.
It should however be noted that both the VP and Asiwaju have not formally thrown their hats into the ring to declare their intention to contest the presidential primaries, but it’s clear from all indications that they are consulting widely and using their foot soldiers and surrogates to test the waters before the eventual leap.
Another prominent person from the Southwest that is widely believed to be interested in the presidential race is Governor Fayemi. His prominent position as Chairman of Governors Forum is not a fluke and he has strategically positioned himself to be a factor or what political pundits described as a wild card aspirant should in case those seen as front runners falter.
The Ekiti State helmsman has been cautious in the way and manner he pursues his ambition, largely because the whistle is yet to be blown or because he’s still preoccupied with administering his state, but those close to him told this reporter that his presidential ambition is still intact. (ThePledge)