Forces for and against the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari are fast coalescing, with the two camps digging in across the country, even as the leaders of some aggrieved caucuses in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) consider other options.
Many top notch of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to overcome their bewilderment over the timing and the venue President Muhammadu Buhari chose to announce his second term bid for the exalted office. The spontaneous consternation expressed by most of the party buffs at APC’s crucial meeting held last Monday in Abuja was obviously because of how the president and perhaps, a few of his close confidants, were able to keep the whole matter under a strict confidentiality.
Buhari himself confessed to taking his party men and women by surprise when he tried to justify the mode of proclaiming his intention to seek a fresh mandate in 2019, though his body language had not left perceptive observers in doubt about where his heart was ahead the next presidential race.
“The president said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first,” he was quoted as telling party stalwarts at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
Before then, his admirers and critics had been immersed in hot debates on the desirability or otherwise of the 75-year-old former Army General running for another four-year tenure. Promoters had coalesced under different platforms to showcase what they regard as his unprecedented achievements and reforms in his about three years in office as a civilian leader. The achievements are capsulated in the three-prong campaign promise of the president: to fight insecurity; corruption and tackle the economy through diversification. Thus, for his party supporters, associates and admirers, the president had not only succeeded in those areas but he had also raised the bar in governance.
To those opposed to his second term, those rooting for him were only living in a world of fantasy; that his administration in its entirety was a curse to the people because of the dire strait the country has found itself. Citing indices cutting across a broad spectrum of the nation’s life, his opponents claimed the president had brought the country to its knees, with the citizens groaning under the worst economic condition in history. In the opinion of the opposition, the country could go down should the president seek and secure a second term in office in 2019.
Since he announced his intention, most political camps within and outside the ruling APC and the opposition, especially the PDP and those claiming to be the Third Force have gone back to the drawing board to re-strategise. Many of the power brokers in the APC have been weighing a number of options. Loyalists of other major stakeholders in the APC with reports of possible realignment of forces across the political parties, even with some APC leaders as the arrowhead. Conversely, opposition figures are beginning to fast-tract a process of evolving a broad-based coalition capable of defeating Buhari and the APC in the general election.
Reports from the states and the federal capital indicated frenzied moves in different political camps on how to checkmate or frustrate the bid by the president to secure a fresh mandate. However, the menders of the president and his party have deployed all necessary machinery required at this stage of horse-trading to bolster the chances of the president. Most official media outlets are currently abuzz with ‘facts and figures’ on the achievements of his administration.
However, uncertainty still pervades the rank and file of even some state chapters of the APC because the kingmakers in those chapters are yet to give the green light to their supporters on where they are to go for now. Consequently, such kingmakers have avoided making any formal and categorical pronouncement on the eventual decision of Buhari to let the cat out of the bag after months of suspense.
For instance, most leading figures in the party from the six states in the South-West have remained largely taciturn, fuelling diverse speculations on the lack of consensus among the APC main gladiators from the zone. Except for the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, none of his colleagues in the federal cabinet from the zone has come to openly identify with the cause. The parlous state of the economy, general insecurity, unemployment and job losses, as well as kick-and-start or jerk-knee infrastructure, mass poverty and animosity among the various ethnic groups constitute the sore points being identified as creating the suspense which they said posed a major obstacle for the APC in its quest to regain public confidence and political power in 2019.
But what is happening in the states of the federation regarding the impending contest?
Buhari’s declaration and the gathering storms in Delta
In Delta State, for instance, the Peoples Democratic Party looks poised to do everything to push away the opposition from having a feel of political power in the state. The party is, therefore, at the forefront of ensuring that the ambition of its major traducer, the APC, to take over Delta State or continue its hold at the national level come 2019 under the leadership of President Buhari does not materialise.
APC in Delta led by its chairman, Prophet Joseph Erue, is rancour-ridden. But he is expected to spearhead, from the state, the battle to see Buhari return as president next year.
But Erue is hardly seen or heard about, a development political analysts concluded may be a minus for him. But the party strives to achieve some level of cohesion.
APC chieftains that may lead the struggle for Buhari’s re-election in the state are: the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who appears as the emerging leader of the party in the state for now. A former governorship candidate Chief Great Ogboru; business mogul, Chief O’tega Emerhor and former fiery labour leader, Chief Frank Kokori who is currently holding a parastatal position.
Other formidable individuals galvanising forces and support for President Buhari from the state include Senator representing Delta Central, who just bagged 90 legislative days suspension from the red chambers, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege; a strong supporter of erstwhile PDP factional chairman, Ali-Modu Sheriff, Dr Cairo Ojuogboh, who defected to the APC and is now a governorship aspirant; and a former speaker of the state, Chief Victor Ochei who’s also said to be eyeing the state’s governorship seat.
Leading the pack of forces behind President Buhari from Delta South Senatorial district comprising Isoko and Itsekiri, include the like of Chief Joe Arausi and business tycoon, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who have been maintaining the forte with their supporters amid factionalisation and discontent, in favour of Buhari’s ambition.
APC chieftains in the state had in February called on President Buhari to declare his intention for a second term. Chieftains of the party in Delta North had, in a communiqué signed by Chief Hyacinth Enuha, after a caucus meeting of the Delta North leaders at the home of Dr Kachikwu, resolved that Buhari had performed well and should run for second term.
Their reasons were hinged on the claim that the Buhari-led government has performed creditably well in various sectors such as security, provision of infrastructure and rescuing the economy from recession, among others.
On the side of the PDP, even prior to President Buhari’s public declaration of his intention to continue in office, the party chieftains in the state have been averse to it. The supreme leader of the Ibori Dynasty and former governor, Chief James Ibori himself leads the horde of politicians determined to neutralise the APC’s incursion into the state.
Ibori copiously speaks through several of his prominent godsons, including current Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his political lineage, senator representing Delta North, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, Senator James Manager, immediate past governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his ally, Chief Oghoyota Amori, and several political and cultural pressure groups across the length and breadth of the state.
These crops of politicians, who are versed in the game of politicking, have, over a year ago, been mobilising from ward to ward, sometimes through town hall meetings and distribution of dividends of democracy.
One of such Ibori’s foot soldiers, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, a former governorship aspirant of PDP in the state, spoke vehemently against Buhari’s ambition and the failure awaiting him. Onuesoke, in his reaction to President Buhari’s declaration for re-election, described the move as an insult and insensitivity to the yearnings and pains of the masses. He accused Buhari and APC of bringing untold hardship on the masses.
“This is the same Buhari who told us in 2015 that he would not seek re-election after completing his first tenure on account of old age and health grounds. Obviously we can’t trust such an old man who cannot keep to his words,” he said.
Onuesoke, who referred former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as best choice for president, therefore, called on Nigerians and Deltans to resist what he described as “APC’s brand of wicked and vindictive leadership” as represented by President Buhari come 2019.
Another megaphone of the PDP and aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Fred Oghenesivbe, described President Buhari as a despotic and grossly incompetent leader whose tenure has been characterised by deceit, divide and rule, monumental corruption, divisive ethnic colouration and tribal bigotry.
He argued that the president’s anti-corruption crusade is riddled with partisan favouritism, victimisation and vendetta.
Buhari’s re-election bid: The forces for and against Buhari in Osun
Though the declaration by Buhari has become a major issue of public discourse, emerging forces and foot soldiers strategising in Osun for the actualisation of his desire are not leaving anything to chance.
But some strong stakeholders, groups and other influential politicians that hold the view that it would not augur well for the body polity and its corporate interest to have Buhari in the saddle again are discreetly mobilising and strategising to make Buhari’s second term project an exercise in futility.
Findings by Sunday Tribune indicate that majority of those routing against the president to continue in office in Osun have not really come out in the open for what promises to be a damning onslaught. But impeccable sources hinted that they are already in the trenches, sharpening their weapons to decapitate the re-election move.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the outgoing Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his political camp are leading the arrowheads, preparing strong pedestal for Buhari’s second term project in Osun, with an army of supporters populated by his political appointees and sizable number of APC loyalists.
Investigation showed that what could have been a stumbling block to their expedition has been tactically contained with the recent fiat of the president, overruling the extension of tenure earlier granted the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by its chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
From this standpoint, all political functionaries loyal to Tinubu and Aregbesola in Osun look ready to back Buhari in his second term bid, even though some pockets of powerful stakeholders, suspected to be at loggerheads with Aregbesola within the Osun APC may not be favourably disposed to giving their support again.
However, the recent floating of Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some prominent politicians, including pressure groups, may prove a major threat to the actualisation of Buhari’s second term bid.
In Osun, one of the loyalists of Obasanjo, who is part of the CNM is former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and current chairman of the board of Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Though he has not resigned his membership of APC, Oyinlola, who governed Osun State for almost eight years, is not in the political camp of Aregbesola.
The erstwhile governor, who has a large followership in the APC, has openly identified with CNM, a group committed to rescuing the nation from what it termed abyss of economic challenges and other socio-political inhibitions, dwarfing the overall development of Nigeria as a corporate entity.
Pundits are of the view that Oyinlola and his group may work against the second term bid of Buhari, bearing in mind the objectives and mission of CNM spearheaded by Obasanjo.
Besides, worrisome issue of insecurity in the country, aggravated by the increasing killings and gruesome attacks unleashed on innocent Nigerians by rampaging herdsmen, including destruction of farmlands in some parts of the country, have become one of the key factors raised by CNM to tackle the ruling APC-led Federal Government.
This and many more critical issues such as excruciating poverty among the citizenry and high unemployment rate may negatively affect the groundswell of support base being built by pro-Buhari second political gladiators and groups in Osun State.
Kogi State
There is no doubt that Kogi State will play a major role in the reelection or otherwise of Buhari come 2019 because the state boast of one of the 24 governors produced by the APC.
The person driving the reelection bid of the president in the confluence state is Bello, who has always been boasting of delivering votes that could make Buhari repeat the 2015 feat. The governor has been galvanising his members of the executive council and the administrators of the 21 local government areas for the Buhari project.
The governor and his people have in the last few months been organising rallies and consultations to drum support for another term for the president. Various groups and movements have been set up with a view to making Buhari occupy Aso rock till 2023. However, many of the rallies and events were put in place without the contributions of the majority of the members of the executive of the party in the state as they were working at cross purposes with the governor.
The APC in Kogi state has been enmeshed in crisis since the inauguration of Bello as governor with many of the State Working Committee (SWC) members, led by the chairman, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo, still committed to the Audu/Faleke political family. The development had led to the polarisation of the party with a faction backed by the governor purportedly expelling Ametuo from the party and replaced him with an acting chairman.
Talking about the main opposition to the reelection bid of the president, one of the major groups not happy with the development is a faction of the APC, which believed that Buhari was responsible for the crisis they were facing in the state. Many members of the party that are loyal to the governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 election, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, are still nursing the wounds that the coming on board of Bello inflicted on them.
The situation became worse when majority of them were not carried along by the present administration in the state. To this group, if Buhari and the power brokers in Abuja had not backed Bello to inherit the votes cast for Audu/Faleke they would not have been left in political wilderness and the only way to pay back is not to support Buhari’s bid.
Another force that may be against the president is Senator Dino Melaye. The lawmaker has not for once hidden his feelings about the Buhari administration with his condemnation of many of the policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state as presently constituted is united in its quest to wrestle power from the APC and this will go a long way in determining the fate of the president in the state. The party conducted its congresses without rancour with the leaders accepting a former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, as a rallying point and point man.
The PDP in the state had argued that Buhari would not get majority of votes in the state because of his abysmal performance in the last three years. It was of the view that Buhari would have to explain to the people of the state what they had benefitted from his government since they voted for him in 2015.
Ekiti feeling the ripple
Ekiti State is uniquely feeling the ripple of Buhari’s declaration. Ekiti is right in the mix of the declaration, because a governorship election is taking place in the state on July 14, and the APC aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket are tacitly involved in some form of campaign for both the party and the president.
Expectedly, the APC stalwarts in the state have publicly queued behind the party and the president’s desire, even if some of them are said to be secretly not pleased with fielding the ageing president for another term.
The contention in the Ekiti political public is that the governorship aspiration of the APC contenders is directly or indirectly tied to the success or otherwise of the bid by President Buhari.
For instance, when one of the party’s aspirants, Senator Gbenga Aluko, hosted the party’s delegates at his Ode-Ekiti community in mid March, he harped on the need for them to elect a candidate whose emergence would buoy the second term bid of President Buhari. Aluko had stated this a few weeks before the president made a public declaration of his intention to run.
Only last week, a drama played out in Ekiti State, which has a direct correlation between the declaration by President Buhari and how some of the people of the state anticipated it. Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State had indicated that he was coming to Ekiti for a “peace advocacy campaign” and also to canvass for the people’s support for the expected reelection bid by Buhari. Kalu had been billed to be received by APC chieftains in the state and he had also sought to visit some monarchs and community leaders in Ekiti.
Not a few people saw the visit by Orji Kalu, a former Abia State governor and the chairman, Advisory Board for the National Movement for Re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, to Ekiti, as a pointer to galvanise the groundswell of support in APC for the emergence of Buhari, in 2019.
It is the belief in some political quarters that one of the real reasons Kalu came to Ekiti was to ensure that the multiplicity of aspirants in the APC would not turn out as a disadvantage as the party eyes the big picture in 2019, because of what might happen after the Ekiti primaries.
However, in Ekiti, it is seen that while the APC is stoking people’s interest for both the governorship and the Buhari ambitions, the PDP is currently more concerned about the governorship, and has left the main opposition voiced against Buhari’s declaration to the statement issued by Governor Ayodele Fayose in reaction to President Buhari.
It is therefore the contention of analysts that the main arrowheads, forces, foot soldiers of President Muhammadu Buhari in his second term bid in Ekiti are nearly the entire APC governorship aspirants. This is more so because it has been noted by some observers that the APC has no rallying figure in the state as of today. Those who could have filled this gap are already in the arena with all the others, fighting for the party’s governorship ticket.
Particularly, fingers have been pointed in the direction of the out-going National Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Segun Oni; the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the Special Adviser on Politics in the Presidency, Senator Babafemi Ojudu. Some party men had said these figures could have served as the party’s rallying point, but the trio are in contention for the APC governorship ticket. Former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, who many said could also have been the leader, is believed to be the main backer of Dr Fayemi for the party’s ticket. Thus, he is believed not to be in a spgood stead to play that role.
On the other hand, the leading figure and force opposed to Buhari’s re-election bid is still all currently wrapped within Governor Fayose. In a near instant reaction to his declaration, Fayose held that President Buhari had largely failed, so much that he doesn’t deserve to rule Nigeria for another term. Fayose had not only issued a statement voicing his opinion against the quest by Buhari, he had also made a broadcast to the people of the state in which he alluded to this sentiment.
Fayose thinks Buhari’s “ambition is dead on arrival.” And as a presidential aspirant himself, he might be looking forward to Nigerians’ support when he finally announces his ambition. Otherwise, Nigerians would await who would get his support come 2019.
Buhari’s 2019 ambition and his foot-soldiers, antagonists in Lagos
It is quite certain that Buhari’s main arrowheads and foot soldiers would be found mostly among those who have continued to mount pressure on him before he finally succumbed to the pressure. And who are these people?
In Lagos in particular, one can easily identify the APC national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, as leading the pack. The APC lord is identified in this regard because of the recent closeness to Buhari resulting in his being appointed to resolve the crisis rocking state chapters of the party. For Tinubu the task to back the president for re-election and ensure that he wins and win he must is also seen from the very kind gestures that Buhari has extended to him.
First, Buhari supported Tinubu’s demand that Odigie-Oyegun must not be allowed to extend his tenure, in spite of the fact that state governors were in support of Oyegun. Besides, the president was in Lagos recently to grace the 66th birthday celebration of Tinubu to the surprise of not a few Nigerians.
But political analysts are already feeling that nothing is spectacular about it and all the new romancies are coming because the 2019 election is around the corner and President Buhari is again in need of a very strong political ally that he would use to get back to the exalted office and dump again. Tinubu could not complain aloud, but his wife, Senator Oluremi, voiced her disappointmentwith the way Buhari treated her husband.
In Lagos, Buhari’s other backers would no doubt be led by the former governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who is currently serving as minister and holding three key ministries namely, Power, Works and Housing. In his group are to be found the APC National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire; former governorship aspirant of the party, Dr Leke Pitan; and some others currently serving under Buhari and whose appointments were not in any way influenced by Tinubu.
One thing which political commentators agreed on is that both Tinubu and Fashola’s group would work towards same goal to return Buhari, who they all believe has delivered on his promises, to office in Aso Rock come 2019, but would not be coordinated in their efforts. Could there be any implication in this?
But to the opposition camp led by the PDP as well as the Third Force, which had metamorphosed to Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP), among others, President Buhari has not performed. To them, the president has failed so woefully on all the three major planks that brought him into office namely: security, fight against corruption and economy.
Buhari re-election bid
Prior to the official declaration and breaking of ice on his aspiration to re- contest for second term, the Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and the APC in the state had thrown their weight in support of Buhari’s re-election.
The governor said a campaign office would soon be opened for Buhari in the state capital while similar office would be put in place across the 18 local government area of the state.
However, the recent pronouncement by Buhari over his second term bid, was opposed by many politicians from various political parties with the state.
The zonal chairman (South-West) of the PDP, Dr Eddy Olafeso, while speaking on Buhari’s decision, described it as absurd and unwelcome development, saying Buhari and APC have shown that they are clueless about governance.
Olafeso said “We were alarmed and surprised that APC members have promoted Buhari to run again, looking at what happened to our economy in the last three years, had shown that not only that the APC government is clueless, President Buhari has no capacity as a leader to run a country like Nigeria in dire need of survival.
Also speaking on Buhari’s decision, the Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in Ondo state, Davis Oluwasuyi, described Buhari decision to seek re-election in 2019 as a bad omen for the country.
Kaduna
In Kaduna, the news of President Muhammad Buhari to stand election again didn’t come as a surprise. Even if you love the president or not, the fact remains that Kaduna is still one of the strongholds of Buhari.
However, the supremacy struggle between the state governor and senators from the state remains a major challenge.
The president’s rating and acceptability might have dropped, but if election is still held today, he might still get tremendous support from the people of the state.
Thus, immediatelyhe made his intention known the state arrow head of his re-election campaign who is also the governor of the state, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai was among the first public figures to tweet ‘Thank God’ the president has made his intention known.
Already, the state governor has appointed his deputy, Barnabas Bala as the chairman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation. Others in the committee were top government officials, grass root politicians and business men. The committee it was gathered have been working underground meeting with people and convincing those who matter to support the re-election of Buhari. The organisation it was learnt held series of meeting with some religious and community leaders. On the other hand too, those opposing his re-election are not losing sleep.
Kano and Buhari’s re-election bid
The activities of former governor of Kano, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are also very pronounced. Just last month the former governor opened his presidential campaign office in Kaduna. So, when the news of the president declaration was heard, news went viral on the social media that Kwankwaso had withdrawn from the rest.
But in a swift reaction, the state chairman of Kwankwassiyya Movement in the state, Bashir Mohammed issued a press release calling on people to discard the social media reports, insisting that his principal is still in the race. But what is not clear is whether the Senator will remain in APC as there are rumors making the round that he might decamp to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) or Social Democratic Party (SDP).
A source in his camp who pleaded for anonymity remarked that we are meeting and trying to study the scenario since it is now certain that the president will contest again. Also supporters of Senator Makarfi are moving round since after the declaration trying to make Nigerians understand that the country needs a young leader come 2019.
Ogun State
Governor Ibikunle Amosun is like political Man-Friday to Buhari, hence, he would champion the re-election bid of Buhari, not only in Ogun State, but also in the South-West. And by this, all members of the APC in the State would automatically throw their weight behind Buhari in returning to power.
But to the opposition PDP in the state, Buhari seeking another term is an aberration. To them, PDP would go all out to ensure he does not win in 2019. According to them, the ruling party has not achieved any meaningful thing to warrant the president gunning for another term of four years.
The party’s position was articulated recently by the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, when he declared PDP would reclaim the lofty seat it lost in 2015. According to him, the country under the present administration has been experiencing parlous economic situation, insecurity and widespread hardship.
It is also on record that Obasanjo, in an open letter to Buhari, advised him not to re-contest again due to age and under performance. This letter generated a lot of reactions from all quarters in the country as to whether Obasanjo has the right to tell Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019. Obasanjo at another fora recently described the present administration as a total failure.
Enugu
Buhari’s declaration did not come to many of his loyalists from the Enugu State Chapter of the APC.
Unlike in 2015, the current political atmosphere in Enugu State is quite different. Then, the PDP controlled both the state and the centre, but now while the state is still being ruled by the PDP, the APC has taken over the political structure at the Presidency, making the sstate a battle ground for the two leading political parties in the State.
The decamping of some high profile politicians from the PDP to APC fold has further changed the political landscape of the Coal City State.
Among the top politicians in the state fighting for the re-election of Buhari are the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Ex-governors Jim Nwobodo, Sullivan Chime and the state chairman of APC, Dr Ben Nwonye.
Others are Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu; Ex-Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Honourable Eugene Odo; Chief Matthias Omeh, a one-time Commissioner for Agriculture in old Enugu State.
Investigation revealed that apart from using the APC to advance the political cause of Buhari, a pressure group called “Buhari Support Organisation” was inaugurated in Enugu the State Capital two years ago with main purpose to persuade the people of the state to tilt towards Buhari re-election in 2019 presidential poll.
His foot soldiers also bank on accelerated pace of work on federal roads across the federation, especially the 2nd Niger Bridge and Buhari’s plan to lay gas pipeline which will connect commercial towns in the East and the Eastern Corridor Railway as carrots in the kitty.
Investigation revealed that those opposed to Buhari’s re-election based their argument on the fact that the larger segment of the people are suffering. They pointed out that the economy is getting worse each passing day coupled with insecurity which included killings of innocent people by herdsmen and Boko Haram saga in the North-East geo-political zone.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is the arrow head of those opposed to Buahri’s style of leadership. It is also speculated that the PDP chieftain is eyeing the office of the Vice President in 2019. Senator Ekweremadu has a formidable structure in the South-East zone, especially in Enugu State.
Although, the Deputy Senate President is yet to react officially to President Buhari’s declaration, his associates contend that the on-going drama between him and the Special Panel on Recovery of Public Property might not be unconnected with the struggle for 2019 presidency.
The former National Auditor of PDP, Chief Ray Nnaji, while reacting to President Buhari’s declaration, said that he has the constitutional right to re-contest but his party, APC, has to decide whether he should be its flag or not.
Only Kwankwaso, Shekarau can give Buhari, a good fight
Buhari’s declaration is generating mixed reactions from within and outside his party. Observers are of the opinion that there are two prominent personalities who can give Buhari a good fight in 2019. These two people are former governors, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who is also former Minister of Education.
Observers’ position is anchored on the two being politicians do not only command respect, but are forces to be reckoned with when it comes politics of Kano. Though Kano was a strong political base of Buhari in 2015, with either of Kwankwaso and Shekarau presidential candidate of any party, the political permutation and the support enjoyed by Buhari would be seriously negatively affected.
However, the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had before Buhari’s declaration threatened to drag him to court, if Buhari failed to contest in 2019.
But some Northern youths had called on him not to contest and urged him to leave the stage for a young person in view of his alleged failing health.
Anambra
The pro-and anti-Buhari forces are almost equally marched in Anambra. Each camp parades political juggernauts, opulent men and women with stupendous wealth with awesome influence in the political space.
Dr Chris Ngige, the Uba brothers and the business mogul all hail from Anambra. So, in the state, mixed reactions have continued to trail the second term bid of Buhari,
In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Chief Edozie Ezeugwa advised President Buhari to jettison the idea because, according to him, he did not fulfill promises made to the citizenry during the 2015 general elections.
On her part, the member representing Onitsha South Constituency II in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mrs Beverly Ikpeazu Nkemdiche noted that what the president did is right, as the constitution allows him to run for a second term.
She, however, advised the president to concentrate first on winning the hearts of Nigerians to support his re-election bid by addressing the hardship his administration has inflicted on the citizens.
A PDP stalwart in the state, Hon. Emeka Ude, said many aspirants were already working behind the scene to succeed Buhari in 2019. Hon Ude, who told Sunday Tribune that the aspirants believe that no time would be better than 2019 to upstage the APC-led Federal Government.
However, in a counter -reaction, the former governorship aspirant in the 2017 Anambra governorship election and a chieftain of the APC in the state, Hon. Johnbossco Onukwu said he received the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second tenure with excitement and describe it as a welcome development.
and then