Saturday Tribune’s checks revealed that despite the facade of camaraderie exhibited at a meeting of its South-West leaders held in Lagos at the instance of a former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, those smarting for relevance in the zone are prepared for what can be described as the final test of will ahead of the 2019 general election.
Among the over 20 contenders for the APC ticket are two aspirants from the presidency – a former governor of the state and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu.
Other main contenders are another former governor of the state and Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Segun Oni; Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2014 election, Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Ayo Arise and Senator Gbenga Aluko.
But findings revealed that despite the assurance of party leaders to remain neutral at today’s primary and galvanise support for whoever emerges victorious for the main election in July, certain governors in the South-West are determined to throw their weight behind the aspirations of Dr Fayemi. Also in this camp is a former governor of Lagos State and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.
A party source revealed that today’s exercise is a payback for the Minister of Solid Minerals who facilitated the presidency’s support for Akeredolu who emerged as the party’s candidate in the 2016 Ondo governorship primary, beating Tinubu’s candidate, Segun Abraham, to a distant third.
Presidency aloof?
It could not be confirmed if Dr Fayemi enjoys the full blessing of President Muhammadu Buhari in today’s contest unlike what played out for Rotimi Akeredolu in 2016.
A party source told Saturday Tribune that the central government’s support might not come handy as the presidency is being careful not to jeopardise its existing warm relationship with Tinubu.
The National Working Committee led by Chief Odigie-Oyegun, while inaugurating the team led by the Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Al Makura, to conduct the primary, had assured the aspirants of its commitment to a transparent process today.
Uncertainty in Tinubu’s camp
Findings revealed that ahead of today’s exercise, Tinubu’s supporters are torn between Segun Oni and Opeyemi Bamidele.
A party source expressed concern that what played out in Ondo might repeat itself.
“Remember that they did not vote as a block in Ondo; their delegates were left confused as their leaders backed Segun Abraham and Olusola Oke, making it for the presidency’s anointed choice to pick the ticket,” the source said.
But Tinubu has insisted that he has no preferred candidate.
Speaking through his media aide, Tunde Rahman, Tinubu dismissed insinuations that he was scheming to ensure that his anointed candidate emerged as APC standard bearer in Ekiti State.
“I can tell you that His Excellency (Tinubu), has no preferred candidate in the Ekiti race. He has said that categorically time and time again. He said whoever emerges as the APC candidate at the end of the day would be his candidate.
“Truth is, virtually all the aspirants are close to him. They have all come to see him asking for support and endorsement. Is it Dr Kayode Fayemi or Chief Segun Oni? Senator Femi Ojudu or Senator Ayo Arise or Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele?
“Name them, they have all asked Asiwaju for support and he told all of them the same thing. I also know that this position has been carried further as the APC leadership in the South-West met with all the aspirants at the old State House, Marina, and assured them that they would be neutral in the process.
“That meeting had in attendance, leaders like Chief Akande, Senator Tinubu, Chief Segun Osoba, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Chief Pius Akinyelure, among others. That is the position. And that’s Asiwaju Tinubu’s attitude. He would support the best candidate who can win the race and take Ekiti to the next level. That is his position,” Rahman said.
APC ward congresses hold today
The rapprochement came as the party holds its ward congresses across the country today. It is feared that the ward congresses could further deepen the crises in the party.
In Rivers State, delegates to the congress raised the alarm that less than 24 hours to the elections, nomination forms had not been released to contestants.
and then