The camps of National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, have resolved not to relent in their efforts at achieving victory for their principals at the next presidential election.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, told newsmen a few days ago in Abuja that he would not turn down request by some Nigerians to run for presidency.
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He added that he was still consulting his friends and other critical stakeholders at the end of which he would make his intention public.
Meanwhile, though he is also yet to formally declare his intention to run for the 2023 presidency, Vice President Osinbajo is also said to be warming up for the apex office, as many groups have sprung up rooting for him.
A support group recognised by the top echelon of the APC, the Consolidation Group (PCG), on Sunday said Osinbajo is the best man to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, as he is “more familiar” with Buhari’s change agenda and how he is tackling the nation’s challenges.
In a statement in Abuja, the PCG spokesman, Barrister Emmanuel Pippa, said the Emir of Daura’s position on the pedigree of Vice President Osinbajo has confirmed to it that Osinbajo is the best man to succeed President Buhari.
The Emir of Daura, Farouk Umar, had during the turbaning ceremony of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Buhari as Talban Daura and district head of Kwasarawa community at the weekend, described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a noble and trustworthy person who keeps to his promises.
The group said their outing in Katsina and the warm reception given to Professor Osinbajo by the masses and royalty speaks volumes about what people with good foresight should expect in 2023.
“The revered royal father’s objective and very positive comments extolling the positive attributes of the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, further reinforces convictions about the fatherly wisdom of the Emir of Daura and the genuine leadership qualities of Professor Osinbajo.
“It was a crucial meeting between clarity of vision and clarity of perception and fortunately, members of the PCG which is the mobilisation arm of The Progressive Project (TPP) were on hand to join the entire people of Daura Emirate in witnessing not only an installation but also, an unfolding of future events,” the group said.
Tinubu’s camp begins mobilisation in Kaduna
However, an associate of President Buhari, Senator Mohammed Saleh, and other supporters of Tinubu, under the aegis of The Disciples of Jagaban, have started mobilising support for him in Kaduna ahead of 2023.
Saleh, a retired major general, represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly between 2011 and 2015 on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
He was among top politicians for Tinubu, who met in Kaduna at the weekend as part of mobilisation efforts for the Lagos ex-governor.
Others include, Maj-Gen H. Usman (rtd.), Mr. Muhammad Namadi, Alhaji Dangulguli, Chairman, Kaduna chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum and Alhaji Lawal Meyere.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the group, Abdulhakeem Adegoke, said Tinubu is the best man to take over from Buhari in 2023, adding that he has the capacity to rescue Nigerian from its current challenges.
He said, “Presently, the DOJ remains the first and the most widely accepted political institution for Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition.
“We, however, appreciate all other groups that come after us because we cannot do it alone, especially with the deluge of resistance and opposition towards our principal. We know his capacity to change the scenario; his capacity to change things from negative to positive.”
Meanwhile, The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and foundation member of the APC, Mr Osita Okechukwu, has asked Tinubu to shelve his 2023 presidential ambition and support a younger person.
Okechukwu, in a statement yesterday, said it would be statesmanlike for Tinubu to be a kingmaker than throwing his hat into the ring.
Stakeholders warn against postponing Feb convention
Some stakeholders of the APC have warned against postponing the February 2022 national convention of the party as demanded by a former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
A chieftain of the party and Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, had at the weekend asked the caretarker/extraordinary convention planning committee to hasten the process that would lead to the election of new National Working Committee (NWC).
Lukman, in the letter said, “Any further delay in discharging this responsibility is as good as consciously working to strengthen political opposition to APC.”
Similarly, a group under the aegis of Concerned APC Stakeholders, in a statement yesterday by their spokesman, Abdullahi Dauda, said all APC bigwigs should rise and save the party by ensuring the February date for the convention is sacrosanct.
“It is our hope and belief that the caretaker committee will not employ any delay tactics that will result in the need to further postpone the national convention from the February 2022 date as it has done in the past where its six months mandate has been extended to almost one and half years,” he said.
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