The Inside Story
Nigeria’s political spectators thought the war was over when the All Progressive Congress, APC concluded its presidential primary last week with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerging as the party flag bearer. But for the winners and losers, it is not yet over.
In fact, the work had just begun for the winner of the primary.
Some people have also commended Asiwaju for his tireless efforts all through the event that transpired before the primary and the energy exerted travelling from one state to the other, meeting key people who eventually saw to his victory at the primary.
It is no surprise for key political pundits to see Asiwaju not resting on his oars, despite winning the party primary, but commenced on his second phase of politicking, as he plans to “announce” his running mate in a matter of hours.
Yes. We deliberately used “announce” instead of “pick” because Citypeople has it on good authority from a reliable source that Asiwaju has already picked his preferred running mate and his identity and religious affiliation will shock many people.
For those who actually followed how Asiwaju fought his preliminary battle to clinch the party ticket, they will notice that he started his journey with a new set of young chaps and political recruits.
Only a few known politicians we all and about with him and these few political forces are from the north. The real reason we hardly see any supporters from the southwest who came out openly to support Asiwaju was the misconception that he cannot stand the Cabal or the northern hegemony of the power cartel.
Asiwaju fought his war and won. He defeated the Cabal hands down and internal forces within the party.
As he is poised to begin the second round of the struggle, Nigerians are anticipating who, where and what he will consider picking a running mate.
As a Muslim, many people are of the opinion that choosing a Muslim running mate will not portray him as a true advocate of equity and justice.
However, there are arguments that the available northern Christians are not as powerful as the Muslim northerners, and that the Christians from the north are from the minority areas that cannot compete electorally on a national scale.
Let’s take a look at them. One of them is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha a Christian from Adamawa State, North East, the same place as the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and which he has since held down for the party as a promising stronghold.
The Plateau State governor, Plateau State governor, a Christian, also provides a good balance to the ticket, especially, coming also from North Central.
Then, there is Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. He is also a Christian with a wealth of experience that is fit for the office. But will the north agree to a Christian minority to represent them?
It is also important to note that the foot soldiers who stood by Asiwaju during his tough struggle to clinch the party ticket and consequence deserve the number two slot are majorly Northern Muslims. And they are evidently more powerful than the hitherto mentioned considerations.
Asiwaju had the likes of Atiku Bagudu, the Kebbi State governor, Malam Nasir Elrufai, governor of Kaduna State, Governor of the North West Kano State, Abdulahi Ganduje, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam (Borno), Governor Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), and Governor Babagana Zulum (Borno), all were by his side and stood still until the battle was won at the Eagles Square in Abuja. Will he pick one of them?
While many believe Asiwaju is caught between loyalties, he has actually picked his preferred running mate and he alone knows his own parameter. It is also certain that all his foot soldiers’ efforts will not go unrewarded. He has stated some days ago that he has penned down his running mate in his pocket book.
In a matter of hours, he would let it out. Nigerians await the man behind the curtain.
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