APC Leaders In Strategy Meeting Over Buhari’s Running Mate

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South West geopolitical zone gathered on Sunday night for a crucial meeting over the choice of a vice presidential aspirant for the APC.

The meeting was held at an unnamed place in Ikoyi, Lagos. The former Lagos State Governor and a national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the National Convention Committee of the party, Kayode Fayemi, and state governors of the party from the zone participated it.

The governors include Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

Also in attendance at the meeting were national officers of the party from the Southwest: Segun Oni (Deputy National Chairman, South), Pius Akinyelure (Vice Chairman, South West), Tajudeen Olawutan Bello (National Financial Secretary), Lai Mohammed (National Publicity Secretary), and Muiz Banire (National Legal Adviser).
Those aware with the subject say the APC has asked the South West group of the party to propose the running mate to former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, who on Thursday won APC presidential primary.

There were rumours on Friday that Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers state, had been chosen as Mr. Buhari’s running mate. Meanwhile, one senior official of the party denied the plan.
“The South West gave General 100 per cent of their votes and so it is only fair that they get to produce the vice president,” the source, who refused to be named because the matter is not yet formal, said.

The source also said a “victory” dinner was held at the resident of one of the national leaders of the party, Bola Tinubu, in Ikoyi after the election on Thursday and the matter was discussed briefly.
Another round of meeting was held on Saturday, while the Sunday meeting was basically to complete decisions on the potential vice presidential aspirants to be presented to the party leadership and General Buhari at a meeting fixed for Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Monday.

The choice of South West to choose the Vice Presidential candidates, APC insiders say, is strategic because Buhari is thought to get considerable votes from the northern states and will need to get the votes from the South West to stand any chance of outdoing the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

The result of Sunday’s meeting is unclear at this time.

Political parties participating in the 2015 elections have up to December 18 to submit names of their candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.