Buhari's Running Mate: APC Govs, Tinubu At Loggerheads

The choice of who becomes Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate is said to be causing ripples in the All Progressives Congress, APC as they are yet to agree on a particular person.

According to report, the APC governors and the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu are said to be at loggerheads over who would emerge as Buhari’s running mate.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gen Muhammadu Buhari

Tinubu wants Buhari’s running mate to come from the South West.
The governors are said to be rooting for Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, while Tinubu is insisting on his ex-Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yemi Osibajo, Daily Independent reports.

Buhari had emerged the APC candidate for the 2015 presidential election at the recently held convention in Lagos, beating Gov Rochas Okorocha, Atiku Abubakar, Gov Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

It was gathered from sources within the leadership of the party that governors including former Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Senate Committee on the Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki, alleged that Osibajo has no electoral value and cannot win election.

The sources were quoted to have said: “He is not a politician and does not have a national clout.”
It was also gathered that those interested in being Buhari’s running mate are fighting themselves dirty in the bid to clinch the slot which is causing headache for the party leaders.
However, the party has assured Nigerians that the choice of its presidential running mate would be made within the context of the best democratic ideals, just like that of its presidential candidate.
There were rumours on Friday that Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers state, had been chosen as Mr. Buhari’s running mate.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC urged Nigerians to ignore the widespread and misleading reports in the traditional and social media about the choice of the APC presidential running mate, saying the party was yet to meet on running mate.

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

However, 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.