Intrigues In APC As Tambuwal Joins Presidential Race

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has reportedly joined the Presidential race on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). ThisDay reports that the Speaker, who has shunned his governorship aspiration and picked up presidential nomination and expression of interest forms on Monday at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal at APC convention.

Following the Speaker’s decision, it is believed that the current intrigues heralding the presidential primary of the APC would still linger on because the race for the likes of former military Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah may have been complicated.Tambuwal, who recently defected to the APC, is alleged to have been motivated by the growing clamour within the power blocs in the party for a game changer who could be presented to the Nigerian people, indicating a departure from the veterans and early starters of the presidential race.

However, before Tambuwal’s indication of interest, Buhari and Atiku had been the frontrunners in the presidential race on the platform of the APC, while Kwankwaso and Nda-Isaiah seen as the dark horses. The coming in of the Speaker would definitely change the assumptions of who would eventually end up with the party’s presidential ticket.

A party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Tambuwal’s indication of interest should not be considered trivial because the likes of party chieftain like the ex-governor of former Lagos and a National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, may be favourably disposed to his emergence.

He further hinted that although Buhari is still the frontrunner in the race despite the speaker’s entry, his major criticism however remains his alleged religious extremism, even though this is a misconception that has gained currency over time. But despite the perception of Buhari’s religious extremism, his candidacy could still cause a crucial challenge that might affect the chances of the country’s main opposition party at the general election, hence the new thinking in the party that a presidential candidate other than Buhari be projected.

However, the former head of state is believed to still boast of unadulterated support within the APC hierarchy, particularly among governors like Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State as well as former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, among others alleged to be funding his campaign.

Meanwhile, Atiku, who doesn’t seem to be enjoying much support like Buhari, among the governors but relying on his personal resources at the primary where delegates would be allowed to vote instead of a consensus arrangement which is Buhari’s preference.

Although the former vice president is not been criticized along religious line like Buhari, he does not enjoy much support from top players in the APC hierarchy.

On the other two aspirants, Kwankwaso, and Nda-Isaiah, the Kano state governor is said to be the candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is believed to share in the sentiments of the opposition party, though he is still a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Kwankwaso’s support in the party is remarkably weak, even though he commands a cult-like following in his Kano State and possibly one or two governors on his side.

Nda-Isaiah, is considered as a lone-ranger, eager to cash in on the religious discrimination the party is recently battling.

Observers believe that, Nda-Isaiah is on the line to change the religious tag placed on the party in case the party decides to project a Christian candidate to vie against President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.

Meanwhile, against this backdrop, Tambuwal’s option is being suggested by a few of the leaders in the APC, and if it candidacy scales through, it would have to be sold and accepted by a few of the camps within the APC, some of which are insisting that a governor must be on the ticket, either as the presidential candidate or as running mate.

However, there are strong believes that if the Speaker gets the push, he might have the backing of Tinubu and even Buhari, both of whom may not mind the change in the larger interest of the party.

Tambuwal sources disclosed that they met with Buhari last Friday before purchasing the form on Monday. The source said Tambuwal is expected to submit his form today or before the end of the week. He said the Speaker had also met with other presidential candidates, meetings which afforded him the opportunity to intimate them on his intention and the need to work together as one family in the nation’s interest.

It is however being speculated that it is because of the recent development that the party is yet to fix a specific date for its congresses where delegates will emerge although the party’s primary slated for December still stands.

Meanwhile, Aminu Tambuwal, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), on November 12, 2014, opened up on why he took the decision.