Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari may unveil the consensus presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress this week, just as indications that former President Goodluck Jonathan may emerge as the president’s preferred candidate have unsettled the other presidential aspirants of the ruling party.
Indications have emerged that Buhari will meet with all APC presidential aspirants this week to inform them of the consensus arrangement ahead of the party’s primary election.
A presidency source who did not want to be named told THISDAY that the aspirants would be informed individually that the ruling party would adopt a consensus arrangement that would produce a consensus candidate for the party in the 2023 election.
“APC will not do what PDP is doing today (Saturday). There won’t be all of those delegate elections and all that. But the delegates will come. Just that it is going to be a consensus and all that.
“They (aspirants) have been informed. Once the president is back in the country, he will have a meeting with all the presidential aspirants,” the source explained.
Jonathan Option Unsettles Other APC Presidential Aspirants
Meanwhile, the alleged plan to adopt former President Jonathan as APC’s consensus presidential candidate at the June 6 -8 presidential primary has continued to unsettle other presidential aspirants.
THISDAY gathered that the postponement of the primary election from May 29-30 to the new dates has heightened anxiety among the aspirants over the alleged plan to adopt Jonathan as the candidate of the party.
Though the former president has neither confirmed nor denied his intention to contest for president on the platform of APC in 2023, a strong indication had emerged that he submitted his form to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Adamu.
Jonathan’s chances to be on the ballot in 2023 brightened after a Federal High Court in Bayelsa State on Friday ruled that he is eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Reacting to the alleged plan to adopt Jonathan, a presidential aspirant and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had while featuring on ARISE News Morning Show, said he was not aware that the former president is a member of the ruling party.
On its part, Tinubu Support Group (TSG) said a national leader of the party and a frontline presidential aspirant, Senator Bola Tinubu was ready to contest with any aspirant at the party’s primary.
The Head of Media of the group, Mr Tosin Adeyanju told THISDAY that all they are demanding is a free, fair and transparent primary election.
He stated: “We wait and see. As of now, he is not a member of our party and we will deal with such issues when it arises. Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a democrat and ready to face any aspirant at the primaries. All we want is a transparent process and let the popular person win which is the hallmark of democracy,” he said.
“Our eyes are on the ball and we keep counting our numbers. The extension will further help us to reach out to more delegates in southern parts of Nigeria during the week. We are confident of victory “.
Also, reacting, the Osinbajo Support Group told THISDAY that foisting Jonathan on others as a consensus candidate would be a huge risk and it might be the end of APC.
The Spokesperson of the group, Badmus Olawale insisted that the former president would not make the screening process.
He noted: “I am not worried in any way. Jonathan will not make the screening process of the APC. We cannot afford to take the path of technical risk that can jeopardise the victory of the APC 2023 presidential elections.
“The law is clear that a person cannot take the oath of office of the President of Nigeria more than twice.”
Olawale noted that despite the court ruling in favour of Jonathan, the ruling party would be at risk until the Supreme Court decides.
The Director of Media, Governor Yahaya Bello Campaign Organisation, Ms Yemi Kolapo, however, told THISDAY that the alleged plan was mere speculation.
“I don’t know anything about this. People are just speculating wildly. Those driving the affairs of APC are men of integrity and their sound experience is not in doubt. At any point in time, they would not do anything against the interest of the party,” she explained.
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