2023: Fani-Kayode Abandons Yahaya Bello For Ahmed Lawan; Orji Kalu Is Lawan’s Campaign DG

By  Adesina Soyooye

Perhaps sure of clinching the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Presidential ticket, Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan, has appointed members of his Campaign Organisation, a few days to the Presidential Primaries.

A surprise member within the Organisation was Femi Fani-Kayode. Until this appointment, everybody had thought that FFK, a close ally of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who also, like Lawan, a Presidential aspirant, was with Bello.

However, leading the pack, as the Director General of the Lawan Presidential Campaign Organisation, is former Abia State Governor, and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu. He has long been the lead Campaigner for Lawan’s Presidency, arguing that like Lawan’s North-East, his South-East has not tasted the office of the President.

The APC Presidential Primaries will hold between June 6 and June 7 at a Special Convention to choose the Party’s candidate who will face former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 Presidential election.

The  Chairmen of the eight committees who were announced at a high profile meeting, held behind closed doors in Abuja on Thursday are:

1. Finance and Budget

Auwal Lawan, Chairman

Senator Sani Musa Co-Chairman

2. Strategy and Planning

Senator Ikechukwu Obiora –Chairman

Senator Betty Apiafi –Deputy Chairman

3.Contact and Mobilization Senator Barau Jibrin Chairman

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi—Deputy Chairman

4.Media and Publicity

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi Chairman

Femi Fani Kayode–Deputy Chairman

5.Security and Intelligence,

Mallam Lawal Daura–Chairman

Commodore Mohammed Barau(Rtrd) –Deputy Chairman

6.Transport and Logistics

Senator Bello Mandiya, Chairman

Hon. Hillary Bisong—Deputy Chairman

7.Youth Groups – Prince Mustapha Audu –Chairman

8. Women Groups- Hon. Aisha Ismail–Chairperson

Kalu was, until recently, a Presidential aspirant. He is speculated to be eyeing the office of the Vice President or that of the Senate President in 2023 – depending on APC’s zoning arrangement.