By Uche Mbah
The All Progressives Congress, currently reeling under crisis engendered by different interest groups that vowed to have their way in the 2023 election, recently saw the confused melee of positions gradually streamlining into major units based on the strongest contenders of the 2023 presidency with the Presidential chief of staff Abba Kyari allegedly throwing his hart into the ring.
Kyarri is the alleged leader of the presidency cabal, and is generally regarded as the de factor president while Buhari is the juror president.
So many people within the ruling APC are said to be jostling for the ultimate position, although it is believed that in the end, the big gladiators will emerge. Many bigwigs are already dropping by the wayside.
This Magazine was told that the original plan was for the cabal to back Babagana Kingigbe, from North west for the Presidency. This was allegedly backed by Mamman Daura, Buhari’s Powerful nephew, and it was decided that the greatest obstacle to his candidacy may be the June 12 saga. They decided to fly a kite with the much celebrated MKO abiola recognition and the change of Democracy day to june 12. Since Kingigbe was his running mate, he could be presented to the South west as coming to complete what Abiola could have done. But unfortunately, while the South west accepted the change of democracy day, some bigwigs like Bola Tinubu, who saw that as blocking his own chances, reminded the Cabal that Kingigbe abandoned the June 12 struggle midstream.
The North had to go back to the drawing board.
Lobbying intensified on the part of Nasir el Rufai, who was almost showing desperation by blatantly pursuing the alleged Fulani Agenda and courting the support of the Kingmakers. Then Abba kyari allegedly announced his ambition in a subtle manner.
Finding it difficult to face the cabal head-on, El-Rufai turned to all but openly endorsing the Presidency of Bola Tinubu. He made a public statement that the Presidency should go to the south without naming the region. Then almost immediately, he ended up in several photo ops with the APC national leader. His open support for the plight of deposed Emir Sanusi was said to be part of his game plane, though it is currently difficult to see how this will pan out.
But Tinubu came under fire by proxy. Adams Oshiomhole, who was almost singlehandedly enthroned by Tinubu, became the target of the Cabal, after they have successfully sidelined the Vice president. In recent times, the Vice President is hardly heard of. In fact, Abba Kyari himself was in Germany negotiating trade deals without Buhari and Osinbajo being there.
Oshiomhole was sacked by a high court, but he went to Kano to get a judgement in a court of alternate juridiction before going on appeal. The appeal court had postponed ruling indefinitely, and Oshiomhole rushed to Abba Kyari Office “to pledge allegiance”.Within minutes of that-coincidentally-the Appeal court reversed itself and sat to give Oshiomhole a new lease of life.
It is said that Abba Kyari sees himself as the natural successor who will “continue the good works of President Buhari.” He is said to be working to have all the APC governors on his side. Sources indicate he may be considering the Foreign Affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyema as running mate to appease the Igbos. Onyeama is seen as having no political ambition. How this will play out remains to be seen.
