Tinubu decides on running mate ahead 2023
OpenLife Nigeria can report that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, may have concluded on his choice of running mate “In principle,” ahead the 2023 presidential race.
This was disclosed to OpenLife Nigeria on Sunday afternoon by a Middle Belt Senator who is very much in the know of the game plans of Tinubu and the progress of response he currently gets from the northern political establishment.
Tinubu had set out for a wholesale political expedition to the northern axis of Nigeria with loaded pocket for what source described as “political marketing.”
He showed up in Katsina and donated whopping N50 million to cushion the effect of burnt wares in a market that went up in flames.
He followed it up exponentially with a lecture which he delivered in his capacity as the chairman of the 11th Arewa House Lecture which held on Saturday, March 27 in Kaduna in honour of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
At the lecture, Tinubu advocated for unity of the country irrespective of ethnic and religious divides, supporting his logic with the exemplary leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo. He was cheered for his statesmanship and detribalized inclination.
A day after, Sunday, March 28, the Asiwaju of Lagos landed in Kano with full compliments of his lieutenants which included Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State and first interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
On hand to receive the “western visitors” was the executive governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.
Tinubu, led by governor Ganduje and his entire entourage, paid homage to the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
OpenLife source disclosed that Tinubu, before the meeting, had already zeroed in on Governor Ganduje as his choice of running mate should he be fortunate enough to pick the APC ticket.
“So many factors accounted for this,” said OpenLife source.
“First, Tinubu had worked so had to get the buy in of governor Ganduje. Tinubu knows that Governor Ganduje is well loved by President Muhammadu Buhari. Kano and Lagos also share proportionate largest number of votes in Nigeria. Ganduje is very influential. He can swing lots of political goodwill to Tinubu. Tinubu can conveniently take care of the entire west,” OpenLife was told.
Continuing, the source said:
“It became easier when Mallam Sanusi, the former Emir decided to be rooting for Atedo Peterside of Rivers State for the 2023 presidency. Tinubu was instrumental to the emergence of former Emir Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. But Sanusi’s political disposition to Atedo Peterside created the needed opportunity for Tinubu to work on Ganduje to get his buy in. Ganduje is Sanusi’s enemy. Sanusi and El-Rufai, another strong factor in the northern polity, are close friends. El-Rufai will never support Tinubu. The option left for Tinubu is what he is cashing in on and they have agreed to work together in the 2023 presidential project with Ganduje as a running mate,” the Senator who would not want his identity revealed stated.
Meanwhile, Tinubu who has not openly declared his 2023 presidential ambition, reports have it, is expected to meet with the Northern Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria on Monday, March 29.
The meeting, OpenLife gathered, is aimed at consolidating on the northern axis with governor Ganduje as the arrow head.
However, speaking at the Kano Emir’s palace on Sunday, Tinubu admitted that the country is passing through a trying moment, noting that only unity and prosperity will allow it to excel.
“Nigeria is at critical stage of its life and the only thing that would make it survive is unity and understanding, therefore, Lagos and Kano, which have come through these over time, must show the way.
“Peace and development would be eluded if the nation continues the way it is going, therefore unity and tranquility must be the hope that could be ridden on.
“One can see that today I, Bola Tinubu, is sitting side by side with Governor Ganduje and this is a clear testimony that people regardless of their tribes and religions could come together and make a change,” he said.
His speech at the Emir’s palace clinically validates the speculation of his presidential aspiration and willingness to run the race with Ganduje.
How the game plan, as Tinubu decides on a running mate, works out would be of interest to watchers of events in the weeks and months ahead.
About Author
