Emerging Colours of APC Presidential Gladiators
The N100 million fee placed on the presidential nomination form of the All Progress Congress has not in any way dissuaded presidential hopefuls from expressing their interest, writes Adedayo Akinwale
Following the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari to approve N100 million fee for the presidential nomination form of the party, tongues have been wagging, as it was described by many as clear show of arrogance; and corruption in governance taken to a new level.
But the party through its National Women Leader, Beta Edu said the amount was to curtail the activities of some people who obtain forms just to constitute a hindrance in the entire electoral process.
“We cannot afford to dabble or joke around or gamble around. So, we want only serious people who are interested in running.”
Nevertheless, it appears that the presidential hopefuls have beaten the party to its game as the number of presidential aspirants continues to increase each day. Already the party has 24 presidential aspirants.
The aspirants are: the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Senator representing Ondo-North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, successful businessman, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina.
Others are: Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, former Imo state governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Minister of State, Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, former Governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Tinubu, former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and Uju Kennedy, the only female aspirant.
Also in the race are: Pastor Tunde Bakare, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the youngest presidential aspirant Nicholas Bello, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, Jigawa
State governor, Abubakar Badaru and the former Governor of Zamfara slState, Sani Yerima.
Yemi Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo summoned the courage to emerge from the shadow of his boss, Senator Bola Tinubu when he decided to take a shot at the plum job.
He said being Nigeria’s VP since 2015 has afforded him the opportunities to understand the diverse experiences and yearnings of Nigerians having been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country; and having sat with techpreneurs in Lagos, Edo and Kaduna, among others.
Osinbajo said, “I stood where they stood and I sat where they sat. I know their hopes and their aspirations and their fears. And I believe that in those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.”
“I formally declare my intention to run for the office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” Osinabjo had said in a video posted to his social media handles.
The competence of the Vice President was never in doubt. On the few occasions he acted as president, everyone felt someone was in charge of the affairs of the nation. Whether he
has the structure, friends or the political strategy to clinch the ticket of the party to realize his ambition is another thing.
Senator Bola Tinubu
The former governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Tinubu has never hidden his desire to rule this country. He was the first to make his intention known to Buhari, saying there was nothing wrong if a kingmaker decides to become a king.
He told the President that he wanted to step into his shoes without stepping on his toes.
Though, Tinubu has not made a public declaration yet, he has also not presented his manifesto to Nigerians on how he intends to transform the country unlike other aspirants.
The APC chieftain while hosting former deputy governors last Thursday in Abuja said in spite of growing opposition especially from the South-west, he would win the primary election slated for May 30.
“For those who have decided to be an opponent, I will not dwell on that, let’s see who wins, but I want to win and I want you to work along with me and to convince more delegates,” Tinubu said.
As far as APC primary is concerned, Tinubu remains the man to beat. Observers however believe that the number of aspirants that have obtained forms especially from the South-west may deplete his votes during the primaries.
Kayode Fayemi
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi ended months of speculation when he finally declared to contest for president. He said he embarked on these outreach visits neither with prior assumptions about what they would yield nor with any sense of personal entitlement.
At his declaration, he also unveiled his manifesto and how he plans to consolidate on the achievements of the past seven and half years of the APC administration, while also addressing the noticeable gaps.
Fayemi said: “Compatriots, it is in the spirit of this abiding faith in our country and the promise of its unfinished greatness that I stand before you today, in total humility and with all sense of responsibility, to solemnly declare to all our party cadres and Nigerians at large, my decision to accept for my name to be put forward for consideration by the APC leadership and membership as the party’s standard bearer in the upcoming contest for a successor to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“After a careful consideration of where we are as a nation and the many perspectives which are emerging about the challenges, old and new, which we must gird our loins to tackle and transcend, I am convinced that my entry into the race to bear the standard of the APC will offer our members and Nigerians the opportunity to examine competing visions for national rebirth in the best interest of our country.”
Fayemi stressed that it was on the foundation of a clear vision accompanied by a carefully thought out programme of action that he presented Ms his candidature.
He made his declaration fully convinced on the basis of what he had experienced, heard, and seen about the demands of the times and the aspirations of the people that the agenda that he was proposing for the country was one which would find favour with APC members and win resounding traction with the generality of Nigerians.
Fayemi noted that as the standard bearer of the APC, he would be leading the implementation of a holistic and integrated response to the multifaceted security crises confronting us.
Nevertheless, it appears that the presidential hopefuls have beaten the party to its game as the number of presidential aspirants continues to increase each day. Already the party has 24 presidential aspirants