Disagrement Erupts In APC Over Buhari's Presidential Ambition

A cold war has broken out among presidential aspirants in the All Progressives Congress, APC following reported entreaties by younger elements among the contenders to persuade erstwhile head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari out of the contest.

The party also called on past leaders of the country to salvage the country from total collapse in the hands of present administration.

National chairman of the party Chief John Oyegun made the call when he led top members of the party to the Up Hill resident of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida on a courtesy visit Thursday night.

He noted that with what was going on in the country, Nigeria’s future was very bleak both economically and socially with the electorate left to suffer from the mismanagement of the country’s resources and that it was now left for the past leaders to join hands together to bring the country to its right path.

However, Buhari, the object of the alleged gang-up, meanwhile has travelled abroad for what sources said is a comprehensive medical check up ahead of his declaration for the 2015 presidential contest. Close associates of the general who had earlier chosen September 1 to announce Buhari’s intention to vie for the presidential ticket of the party, were yesterday, said to be contemplating the deferment of the launch on account of the general’s absence.

Besides Buhari, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso, Leadership Newspaper publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah are among those said to be jostling for the presidential ticket of the country’s major opposition political party.

The intentions of the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remain unclear as party insiders spoke yesterday of unclear signals from the former Lagos governor on his intentions. Also in the permutation of party insiders is Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who though still a member of the National Executive Committee, NEC of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is believed to be a top contender for the presidential ticket of the opposition party. Until recently, there had been suggestions that Buhari would back Speaker Tambuwal in the event he declines from contesting.

Despite earlier hopes of the readiness of Buhari to endorse one of the younger aspirants, the former head of state, it was learnt, has upon the persuasion of his core followers decided to forge ahead with his aspiration.

One of the other younger aspirants in the contest, (not Tambuwal) it was learnt had approached the general for an endorsement in consideration of his, Buhari’s age – Buhari is 70 – but the former head of state it was learnt had clearly rebuffed him citing what he claimed was the aspirant’s alleged emotional instability and allegations of financial impropriety with public funds.

Following the rebuff, Buhari it was learnt, proceeded for a medical check up to assess and prepare his physical readiness for the contest. The medical trip it was learnt may have led to the postponement of his declaration which had been scheduled for September 1.