File Photo: President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo
At a meeting Tuesday at State House, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari dropped the strongest hint that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would opt for a consensus candidate from among the over 20 aspirants for the party’s Presidential ticket, thus confirming Political Economist earlier story.
The President told the 22 Governors and the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu that “our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.”
During the consultative meeting with the APC governors, Buhari pleaded for their understanding to allow him pick his successor, putting paid to speculation that Buhari has no anointed candidate.
Political Economist can authoritatively report that barring any last moment changes, Buhari would in the coming days name Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as his preferred successor.
Authoritative sources in the Presidency and within the APC top hierarchy point to Osinbajo as President Buhari’s favourite.
Recall that in January, this year, Buhari had on Channels TV said while responding to a question: “I don’t have any favourite for 2023 and if I do, I won’t reveal his identity because if I do, he may be eliminated before the election. I’d better keep it secret.”
However, Aso Rock insiders said the statement was a smart detour by the President to take attention away from the issue, insisting that Buhari does have a preferred candidate and that candidate is Osinbajo.
“I can tell you that Osinbajo will emerge as the standard bearer of the APC at the convention through a consensus; but what I cannot confirm now is the choice of running mate who must be a northern Muslim,” a source said.
During the meeting with governors, President Buhari assured that the consultation process will continue, to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention, stressing that it would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control, “and that our party emerges stronger.”
