There are indications that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, may have his party men to contend with in his bid to win next year’s presidential election.
These unpleasant feelers are spurred by the deep seated resentment and dissatisfaction that characterised the aftermath of the APC’s presidential election in June.
Some chieftains of the ruling party, especially other aspirants who contested the primary with Tinubu, are displeased with how things panned out at the convention and the presidential primary of June 8, so much so that they are now willing to sabotage the former Lagos governor’s presidential ambition.
Recall that prior to the party’s national convention, which produced Asiwaju as APC flagbearer, National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu had announced Senate President, Ahmad Lawan as APC consensus presidential candidate.
The move was, however, swiftly and vehemently opposed by some governors and party members believed to be loyal to Asiwaju who insisted on a Southern presidency.
By the same token, some members of the National Working Committee, NWC, kicked against the move and insisted that other Presidential aspirants, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Engr. David Umahi and Rotimi Amaechi must be allowed to contest the primary election.
Tinubu, who was finally declared winner of the indirect primary election, told Ahmad Lawan during his victory speech at the Eagles Square, Abuja that the lawmaker can now lick his wounds.
According to him, “I’m a little agitated that you contested against me, but thank you, you can now lick your wounds.”
Tinubu scored 1,271 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 316.
However, An APC chieftain, Dr. Martins Apeh, claimed that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo actually rejected the offer to be included in the recently released APC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to him, the vice president and the former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi have no confidence in Tinubu’s candidacy and would distance themselves from the campaign.
He said, “You see, Osinbajo believes in the New Nigeria Project, he doesn’t believe in the old politicians who may not have anything to offer to Nigerians but only see power as property that can be acquired.
“When Osinbajo lost the primary election, he stated clearly that his dream to support a New Nigeria has not changed. That should send a message to you and other Nigerians. Don’t be surprised if the VP makes a big announcement to support a candidate of another party”. Daily Post quoted Martin as saying.
On the former Rivers State governor, Martins opined that “Amaechi is still very angry with the party on what played out during the APC primary. It was a shock to him and other Nigerians.”
He said Amaechi, Osinbajo and Lawal “may work for the presidential candidate of another party”, stating that those who want the country to work again will not jeopardize another four years in the “hands of people they don’t believe can deliver”.