An alleged proposal by the All Progressives Congress to present a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket is believed to have put the party in a fresh dilemma.
There had been speculation that the APC was preparing to present a former Head of State, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and an erstwhile Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
It was, however, gathered in Abuja on Thursday that the APC strategists and stakeholders had been holding a series of formal and informal consultations over the issue.
Party sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with our correspondent on Thursday, agreed that the issue was the party’s “biggest headache as the 2015 polls draw near.”
One of them said, “Some have suggested a Babatunde Fashola/ Adams Oshiomhole ticket but this was thrown out. Others suggested a Rabiu Kwakwanso/Fashola ticket and it was turned down, yet others suggested Aminu Tambuwual/Fashola ticket and it was also rejected before the Buhari/Tinubu ticket came up.
“What some of our leaders don’t seem to understand is that this is not 1993. Neither Buhari nor Tinubu is an Abiola whose generosity transcended ethnic and religious lines on a national scale.”
The source claimed that the issue was threatening to polarise the opposition party along ethno-religious lines.
Another APC member and a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani- Kayade, had asked the party to perish any thought of presenting a Muslim/Muslim ticket because it would hurt the Christian community.
But another former minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who is currently the APC’s Interim Deputy National Secretary, insisted that the party would present acceptable candidates irrespective of ethnic or religious considerations.
El-Rufai, in a statement on his Facebook account, said Nigerians should be looking for competence instead of issues of ethnicity or religious affiliations.
He said, “The APC presidential ticket: Those speculating on this and advising me on all manner of persons and religions should know my views.
“The APC will present an integrity-competence ticket not religion. Politics and governance are not to be mixed or dictated to by any religion.
“The APC will present to Nigerians the best persons with the integrity, capacity and competence to create jobs, fight corruption and rebuild our nation without discrimination.
“How these persons worship God is private to them and does not matter to discerning Nigerians, particularly young people that suffer most from bad governance, unemployment and the ‘Jonathanian’ culture of impunity.”
The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, however, insisted on Thursday that the race for the party’s presidential ticket was still open to eligible members, in spite of speculation to the contrary.
Mohammed, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the party would not be distracted by permutations over who would emerge as its candidates for the 2015 presidential election.
He noted that while permutations and speculation were normal in times like these, the APC was focused on convening transparent congresses to set up structures at all levels.
Stressing that the party’s doors were still open to all Nigerians, he added that it was determined to present Nigerians with a viable alternative to the Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party government at the centre.
He explained that congresses slated to hold across the nation on Saturday (tomorrow) were to set up the party’s structures at all levels – to pave the way for conventions where elected officials would emerge.
Mohammed noted that the new APC leaders would in turn prepare guidelines for the party’s primaries to elect its candidates for state and federal elections.
The APC spokesman said it was only when a new executive had been put in place that “the APC will formulate guidelines for the primaries of those who would vie for elective offices be it House of Assembly, Governors, National Assembly, President and things like that.”
Mohammed added, “It is part of the process to get a president that would represent one, it’s a process, we are gradually getting there from not being a party, to being a party; from not having membership; to membership, to having congresses and conventions.
“The next step will be the primaries. There will be speculation but one must remain focused and not be distracted.”
While commenting on the decision by Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah to join the race for the APC presidential ticket, Mohammed said it was a welcome development.
According to him, it is evident that the party’s platform is healthy, strong and viable.
“We should not constrict the space to old generation politicians let new blood come. In politics like I always say, one day is too long not to talk of one week, one month and a whole year,” he said.
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From A to Z i did not see any qualifies candidate in Apc as a best candidate for the seat of president what else Buhari and Tinubu are still looking for they suppose to be training the upcoming and grassroot politician and make themselves as the founder and leader but they want to make themselves president and vice.....rbish
ReplyDeleteBuhari vs Tinubu a sign of selfish intrest they dont have anytin to offer
ReplyDeleteSo is Amaechi abandoned?. I dey laugh o. Now he will face reality. That he was only used and his blind greed for power did not allow him to see the handwriting on the wall. Poor soul, my de facto Governor cum bigger than the president!
ReplyDeleteTry Tambuwal/Fashola. Might fly
ReplyDeleteLet the APC not even dream of doing such an evil thing it will spelled DOOM for it! The recent happenings in the muslim world(TERRORSIM) will make it impossible for such a thing to be supported by Nigerians. DON'T BE DECIEVED!!!
ReplyDeleteI think d.fashola /oshiomole ticket is a winner anyday
ReplyDeleteNigeria, tinubu and buhari, should be a father, nursing upcoming, young and vibrant politicians on how to lead, not to be contesting for president and vp.it is selfishness,there are lots of young people in apc, that can contest, not tinubu and buharial for presidentials.
ReplyDeleteThe best presidential candidate for APC is Shekau/ Abu Khaka. They will sweep the poll with their arsenal. lol
ReplyDelete@7 39, but for the Northeners...
ReplyDeleteAll this una plan ie APC will not work. No credible candidate yet from all uve listed. Think again.
ReplyDeleteNo credible candidate yet from all you've permuted APC. Pls think again.
ReplyDeleteAll this una plan ie APC will not work. No credible candidate yet from all uve listed. Think again.
ReplyDeleteAlhaji Olarotimi Amaechi, where did they put him? Is he not in contention any longer? What about Alhaji Olubukola Saraki and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, no mention of their names in this proposed list? Why?
ReplyDeleteSenator Akume/Lai Mohammed is the best option.
ReplyDeleteIts obvious the can't find a single Christian in there whole calculation... An tomorrow the Will tell me APC isn't a Muslim party....... Pls guys pray for Mr president.... Monkey no fine but him mama love am....
ReplyDeleteThe is twentieth century where religions and ethnicities cannot and will never be overlooked in this country called Nigeria even if MKO would come back to life and run on Muslim/Muslim ticket he cannot win in this dispensation. Gbam,
ReplyDeleteFashola /oshiomole candidature is the best in the lists. Although i don't like APC due to Tinubu selfishness and El Rufai stupidity. But Fashola/ Oshiomole candidature is a good bet.
ReplyDeletemuslim/muslim ticket unaceptable. Tinubu/Buhari, apc mission to destruction. Oshiomole/Tambuwa my sugestion.
ReplyDeleteAll of you that mention Tambuwa has forget that He is full card carrier of PDP. can you see that APC has no candidate. Atiku, Amechi, Saraki it is well with U ooooooooooooooooo
ReplyDeleteso no party primary? APC with god fatherlism
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do not believe the APC has any good intention than to enrich the Tinubu cartel, Pat Utomi/Fasho is the best they can present but for the North who said the presidency is their birth-right.
ReplyDeleteFor Rotimi Amaechi, ... I still dey laugh o. Well he can be minister of information so he can speak that street English for APC.
The basic reason why the party is facing serious challenge in picking a presidential candidate and vice is bcos they r thinking of the masses more than the masses themselves. The truth is that they already know that Nigerians r too religeous. So even if the candidate is a goat and a christain they will vote for him. You guys are not looking credible candidates yet you want jobs, electricity, food, good roads etc. This is just a sign that religion is pure slavary in this part of the world. Please I stand to b criticised, but truly we r d problem of ourselves. What we need is a credible candidate not a christain or Muslim or budist. Afteral all we got from all d tithes and offering is jets and high tuition universities. Selfish demons.
ReplyDeleteThis confusion will continue in as much as their greed has made them recruit all sorts of people into their party. It serves them right as they are there only for their selfish interests....
ReplyDeleteThe best for APC is Oshiomle as presidential and Ribadu as VP. Oshiomle will use single term and Ribadu will take over and spend two terms. GEJ and PDP can not stand this combination at all.
ReplyDelete