By Wale Akinola
With three years away to the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari as President of Nigeria, intense jostling over his successor has begun in rabid earnest. Here are the issues at play, the major players to watch and the shape of things to come.
In recent months, the recurring topic of discussion among major political stakeholders in Nigeria has been centered on the crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly the crisis in Edo state where the Former National Chairman Adams Oshiomole is at dagger drawn with the just defected Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki who is seeking re-election for a second term.
While it looks like the crisis in Edo State has consumed both parties, the crisis within the National Working Committee of APC is still at its crescendo and while the Victor Giadom leadership, ordered by court, is being recognized by President Buhari, the other members of the NWC is recognized by the National Leader of the Party Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
With the court order given legitimacy to Chief Victor Giadom to act as Chairman, he has called for a NEC meeting slated to hold on Thursday, 25th June 2020, of which the president had informed members of NEC that he’ll be attending. The NWC members, loyal to the National Leader, Tinubu, have kicked against the President’s decision calling the NEC meeting illegal. They’re of the opinion that the outcome of the NEC meeting will not be favourable to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Leader of the ACN bloc within the APC.
With reports already saying that the ACN bloc may have already concluded plans to work with Atiku Abubakar for 2023, the Former Governor. Fashola of Lagos State and current Governor of Ekiti State Dr. John Kayode Fayemi seem not to be part of the plot. You’ll recall that Asiwaju Tinubu gave the ACN ticket to the former EFCC boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yet he pulled out to work with President Goodluck Jonathan of PDP, in 2011.
The idea of his subordinates attacking perceived enemies, who are senior members of the APC, Governors Fayemi, El-Rufai, and Akeredolu, the Minister for Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and other members, who are insisting that internal democracy be allowed to take root in the party, rather than one man dictating to every other person is rather unfortunate.
Certainly, the time for the President to take a stand is now, believing that with the NEC meeting the APC can put its house in order again.
The countdown has indeed begun.
Wale Akinola, a political analyst sent in this piece from Lagos State via Waleakinola_1840@gmail.com
