he battle for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) has taken another dimension as 12 APC
governors reached a final agreement to support
Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state, while his
counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, is
reaching out directly to the delegates.
At the meeting, which took place at Adeola Odeku, Victoria
Island, Lagos, the governors who agreed to support Buhari
are: Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe),
Kashim Shettima (Borno), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa),
Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos),
Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf
Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Aliyu Wamakko
(Sokoto) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).
The two other governors, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano)
and Rochas Okorocha (Imo), are also gunning for the
presidential ticket. It was also disclosed that Kwankwaso
has been persuaded to step down for Buhari, which he
agreed, but will still put up an appearance without putting
up a fight at the convention.
Atiku, on this part, is basing his calculations on the fact that
APC governors control only 14 states and their influence in
the remaining 22 states is not strong.
It was understands that Atiku has zeroed in on delegates
from 16 states which they consider winnable: Adamawa,
Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Jigawa,
Taraba, Yobe, Delta, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti and Ondo ─
as well as the FCT. In Atiku’s camp, the calculation is to
deal directly with the delegates, even from states controlled
by pro-Buhari governors. With Atiku’s heavy war chest, the
APC hierarchy had become jittery about the high possibility
of his victory.
0 comments:
Post a Comment