2023: Tension In APC As Buhari Speaks On Successor

By James Orji

President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted that he’s planning to chose his successor. The president’s tenure expires in 2023, and suggestions in the ruling APC is that he’s not interested in who succeeds him as president.

From all indications those who hold this view are wrong, as the president has revealed that he’s interested in who takes over from him.

Politicians in his party that have indicated interest in his job are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, though they are yet to make their interest public.

Buhari who spoke to Channels Television on Wednesday said he has decided to keep the identity of his choice candidate close to his heart in order not to expose him to danger.

When asked to name who among politicians in his party he preferred to succeed him Buhari refused.

Buhari said, “No I wouldn’t because he may be eliminated if I mention. I better keep it secret,”

It is however difficult if any of the politicians mentioned above is the preferred candidate of Buhari to take over from him.

Apart from Tinubu, Osinbajo and Fayemi, former President Good luck Jonathan has also been mentioned among politicians who are planning to take a shot at the nation’s top job.

Jonathan is not a member of APC, the president’s party even though there are suggestions of an ongoing effort by some powerful APC leaders to drag him into the party so that he can contest under the ruling party.

But so far, Tinubu seems to be the most popular among APC top shots who want to succeed Buhari. Apart from being the .ostentatious popular candidate from the South west where he hails from, and the decision of the ruling party to zone the presidency to the South, the former Lagos helmsman and APC National Leader seemed to have made an inroad into the North which is the major factor in who will decide who becomes president next year. Some Northern leaders have been campaigning for him.

Speaking last Saturday, for instance, Abdulmumin Jibril the Direction General of the Tinubu Support Group, TSG an umbrella body of groups rooting for the former governor, said everything will be done to ensure that Tinubu succeeds Buhari.

Jibrin, a former met of the House of representatives said Tinubu will ” emerge president” next year.

He said “I can confirm to you that Tinubu will contest the 2023 elections. The aspect of the decision is done; it’s a done deal.

“Arrangements to publicly declare will soon be known. I’m talking to you officially that he (Tinubu) will contest the presidential seat.

“We need somebody who can carry along everybody and I believe that Tinubu is the best option for Nigeria. He is not a religious fanatic and has massive networks across all the boundaries in the country.

“Asiwaju has worked extensively for the APC and never shifted ground. He is competent to be the president of this country.

“Nigerians always go for quality and I believe that issue is purely on the quality of the person

“I don’t see a dark horse coming in 2023. It will take s super miracle in APC and God willing, Mr Tinubu will emerge as president.

“Asiwaju has an edge ahead of others. He will not lose the ticket and will be the president of this great country under the APC.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that the president’s revelation may upset the apple’s cart in the ruling APC ahead next year’s presidential election, particularly as some insist of a secret agreement in the party that Buhari will handover to the former Lagos governor.  But as it seems, President Buhari may have decided to look elsewhere for his successor.