The All Progressives Congress has pruned its search for Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari’s (retd.) running mate to three incumbent governors and a former one.
It was reliably gathered on Saturday that the
leadership of the party has the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola
(SAN); his Edo State counterpart, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; and Governor Rotimi
Amaechi of Rivers State, as well as former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode
Fayemi, on its final list of four.
It was learnt that the APC governors had demanded that one of them
should be picked as the running mate of Buhari, who emerged as the party’s
presidential candidate on Thursday.
Our correspondents gathered that Oshiomhole and Amaechi made the list
because some leaders of the APC feel that South-South should produce the
vice-president in order to cut down the votes of President Goodluck Jonathan,
who is also from the geo-political zone.
Other party leaders are pushing for the South-West because of the
massive support the zone, gave to Buhari at the presidential primary. This
group believes that the zone which has suffered so much marginalisation by the
Jonathan-led Federal Government, should be rewarded for the sacrifices made
towards building an alternative platform.
A top ranking member of the party, who pleaded anonymity because he was
not authorised to speak to the media on the issue, confided in SUNDAY PUNCH that Buhari received
block votes from South-West delegates during the party’s presidential primary.
The source said, “Buhari got almost 100 per cent of votes from the
South-West; that is even more than what came from the North-West where he comes
from because the delegates there were divided between Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu
Kwankwaso and him.
“You must agree that the four aspirants we have on the list showed
uncommon sportsmanship and they have different strengths. It is going to be a
tough decision for us to make on Monday. With the Edo State governor, we can
get South-South votes and the labour movement. With Amaechi, we can also get
South-South votes. Fashola is immensely popular but he is a Muslim and that is
where Fayemi, a Christian comes in.”
Another source, who is a governor said Buhari prefers a Christian as his
deputy.
His preference for such a person, it was further gathered, was aimed at
erasing the notion that Buhari is a “religious fanatic.”
The governor, who spoke with our correspondent on Saturday afternoon on
condition of anonymity, also said the South-West really wants the position.
He said, “The zone came to the merger with about five governors, many
senators and members of the House of Representatives. They deserve to be
considered for a top position in the APC if we form the government at the
centre.
“Again, the zone is the most marginalised in the current dispensation.
So, they deserve to be pampered.”
He said it was true that Prof. Yemi Osibajo (SAN) was also considered
from the South-West.
The governor said, “Osibajo is not only a strong member of the RCCG, he
is a pastor there. He is also a right hand man of the General Overseer of the
church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who is well respected across the country and in
the Christian community.
“So, those who are favourably disposed to him argued at the meetings we
had in Lagos on Friday that his pairing with the former head of state would be
beneficial to the party.”
The governor added that while Fashola seems to be the toast of many for
the position, his religious background is working against him.
“Yes, he is seen as the most qualified for the position in the country,
but we don’t want to play into the hands of our enemies who may now use the
religion aspect to campaign against us. The country is in an unusual
situation,” he added.
He said Fayemi’s loss of the governorship election in Ekiti was a minus
for him and those who are pushing his case.
“Some say his inability to win his reelection bid is not good for him,
even though we all agree that he is a good material. Besides, he is the only
Christian among the governors from his zone,” the source added.
The Director of Publicity of the Buhari 2015 Support Group Centre, Dr.
Chidia Maduekwe, said that he was certain that the party and its candidates
would give Nigerians a credible alternative.
Also speaking on Buhari’s running mate, the Publicity Secretary of the
APC in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin said, “The APC has proven to be a
different party from all the parties the General had been involved in.
“It is a truly national party and that is why it is taking this long to
come up with a name for his running mate.
“Consultations are still ongoing and I can assure you that the person
that the party will present to Nigerians is one that Nigerians will identify
with. I foresee a thorough shellacking of Jonathan. This will be the first time
an incumbent will lose elections.”
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