By Gideon Njoku

As the real reason Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan visited Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, is still shrouded in  controversy, some of the discussions between the two Presidential aspirants, are being unveiled.

Many people had wondered why Lawan visited Umahi, even after after 11 Northern All Progressives Congress, APC Governors, and Leaders of the Party in the North had endorsed that the Presidential seat goes South.

The APC Northern Governors and Leaders in a statement after their meeting, agreed that the South produces the President for fairness, equity and the stability of the country.

After their meeting, the story went viral, that he had stepped down for Lawan. But Umahi vehemently denied it, saying both of them only agreed on a mutual working relationship.

At the meetin Lawan told Umahi: “We have always spoken about the need for our party to continue to play the role God designed for us. To the glory of God, the All progressives Congress is the biggest party n Nigeria today. Our party is in control of the Presidency, the two chambers of the National Assembly, a number of state governments across the country and so on.

“It is our common belief in our party that this trend should continue so that in the 2023 general elections, Nigerians should vote for our party to produce the next President, who will replace President Muhammadu Buhari when he completes his tenure on May 29, 2023.

“The National Assembly should also have majority Senators and Reps members.

“From 22 Government Houses, we hope to increase the number. This requires us to continue to be focused in all situations. We will continue to insist on brotherhood. No contest should make us fail.

“I came here to tell you that even though you are an aspirant like I am, we are all aspirants akin of the same father and mother. It is everyone’s desire who aspires to be the most successful. But at the end of the day, our wish is for our party to be united.

“After our convention, when the winner of the Presidential primaries emerges, we expect the rest of the aspirants to show solidarity, to remain committed to the party; to ensure that we win the general election.

“Therefore, I want to assure you that if you emerge in the convention, you will have me as your number one supporter, because I believe that the ideals, the ideology and philosophy of APC are the same in our hearts.

“Therefore, it is my duty to ensure the success of our party at the polls. Similarly, if God makes it possible for me to emerge, I am sure that you will be by my side throughout the campaign for APC to win the general election.”

In his response, Governor Umahi said the Senate President “can count on his unalloyed support if he wins the primary election as he will always stand by the party.” He also said that he would bow to the wishes of the President, desirous as South-east is to produce the President.

Umahi: “I was very happy when you reminded me few days ago about the palace coup that produced you as Senate President. Our party has come of age in terms of discipline. This is the only time that I am seeing that aspirants, who are looking for one thing, are not castigating themselves.

“They are talking well of themselves. It shows, like what you said, that we are from one mother and one father.

“I have always said it, even while I was in PDP, if you know President Muhammadu Buhari very well, you will know that he is a very good man. He is being hurt by enemies, but he will not cast anyone out. He is an extraordinary president. That is why I said that even though the South East needs the Presidency so badly, just like North East, whatever decision Mr President takes, I will stand by the decision.

“Personally, if the decision is not in my favour, I won’t fight the decision. I will continue to support it. I will support whoever that is chosen. Like I always say, power belongs to God. God sees the nitty gritty of the heart of men. He sees who is destined to take the nation to where it is supposed to be.

“So, I can assure you that if that mantle falls on you, I will feel very lucky because even if it is not me, if you are able to have somebody who shares the same character in a context with you, we will be better for it. So, I stand in partnership with you that if it is you, I will be the first to jump out and congratulate you. If it is me, like you said, it is a partnership that God built before now.

“We started working together before now

“We are building on the past and present relationship. We are not studying ourselves. So, it is the same with the rest of 11 aspirants.

“Any of them that God chose as the candidate, both of us will work together to support the President and support such a person. You are a man of discipline. You are not just visiting me. You are visiting other aspirants. So, whoever the President chooses is the will of God.”

The APC Presidential Primaries will hold between June 6 and June 7 in Abuja.

It is expected that a Southerner would emerge the candidate. The front-runners in the South are: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chibuike Amaechi, immediate past Minister for Transportation, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor, and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, immediate past Minister for Science and Technology.

By Charles Igbo

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, has dismissed, as a blatant lie, the story that he has stepped down from his Presidential aspiration in favour of Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan.

The story, carried by a national television, said Umahi stepped down for Lawan after the meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held with all Presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Not a few people were, at once, shocked and surprised by the story, especially, as APC Northern Governors and Leaders, after a meeting  on Saturday, June 4, issued a statement, and urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Party that a Southern candidate be given the APC Presidential candidate. They said it is only fair, for peace and stability, that Buhari be succeeded by a Southerner after eight years in office.

The story that Umahi stepped down for Lawan not only angered many, it was interpreted that Umahi was perfecting a running mate agreement under Lawan.

But the Governor, in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Assistant Media, Francis Nwaeze, denied he had withdrawn from the race in favour of Lawan.  He said he was still in the race.

Umahi: “The news item is totally false in context and content. This raises a question mark about the credibility of the source of such fallacy, what never took place which is capable of putting Engineer Umahi’s aspiration in jeopardy.”

He said he was visited at his lodge in Abuja by Lawan on Saturday, during which time both of them pledged to support, between the two of them, whoever emerges the flagbearer of the APC.

Following, the full text of Umahi’s denial of the story.

“Our attention has been drawn to a news story purportedly broadcast on the stable of one of the revered Television Stations in Nigeria, the Arise Television in which the Station announced that Engineer David Nweze Umahi has stepped down his aspiration for his fellow Presidential Aspirant and Senate President, Ahmed Lawal ahead of the Presidential Primary.

“Without much Ado, I make the following clarifications to guide the teeming supporters of Engineer Umahi, members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Nigerians at large.

“1. The news item is totally false in context and content. This raises a question mark about the credibility of the source of such fallacy, what never took place which is capable of putting Engineer Umahi’s aspiration in jeopardy.

“2. For the sake of discerning minds, what happened was that Senate President, Ahmed Lawal in a last-ditch effort to ramp up partnership ahead of the APC Presidential Primary, visited Governor Umahi in his Abuja residence on Saturday where they both promised to support whoever amongst the two and other Aspirants that emerge the Flagbearer of the Party in the Primary. The Senate President even took out time to eulogize Engineer Umahi for making the Party proud through his purposeful governance in Ebonyi State.

“3. There was no time during the visit that the issue of stepping down by either Engineer Umahi or the Senate President was discussed or even suggested.

“4. It, therefore, becomes a serious concern how the Arise Television got themselves enmeshed in this kind of professional miscarriage of reality without verifying the authenticity or otherwise of their news source.

“5. The teeming supporters of Engineer Umahi across Nigeria and beyond are encouraged to disregard the ill-fated news item which is by all standards fake, and go about their solidarity on the assurance that His Excellency the Governor is still very much in the race to develop Nigeria, God willing, he will emerge in the Sunday Presidential Primary of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress.”

Umahi who won a second- term as Ebonyi State Governor under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, suddenly, midway into his tenure, defected to the APC, with the reason that the PDP was not prepared to give its Presidential seat ticket to the South-east after unflinching support of the Zone. He has been proved right.

Last week, the PDP gave its ticket to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday night met with all the aspirants for President on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), at State House, Abuja, urging them to hold consultations, and come up with a formidable candidate before the party holds its primary election between June 6-8, 2022.

According to a Press Release by Femi Adesina, Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, the President said the meeting was a continuation of the on-going consultative process aimed at ensuring a smooth and strategic emergence of a standard bearer, who will lead the APC to a resounding victory in the upcoming presidential polls.

“Looking at this assemblage of personalities and considering your rich pedigree of accomplishments in life, I have come to the conclusion that our party, the APC, is rich in human resources and also that our nation is blessed with capable people that can successfully steer the ship of state into the future,” President Buhari said.

He added that with his first-hand knowledge of the demands of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the expectations of the citizens,

“I must salute your courage and your selfless spirit, in volunteering to serve in the highest office of the land.”

The President added: “Our party, the APC, has won two successive presidential elections in 2015, first when we were in the opposition and in 2019 when I sought re-election. Both processes were achieved through unity of purpose, strategic alignment, consultation, fairness, determination and effective leadership.  In both instances, national and party interests were overriding factors in our deliberations and decision-making.

“The 2023 General Elections are fast approaching in a global, regional and national environment that is constantly changing and challenging. This demands that our party should become more aware of the changing environment, be responsive to the yearnings of our citizens, re-evaluate our strategy and strengthen our internal mechanism so that we would sustain the electoral successes.

“I am pleased to note that the party, recognizing the significance of all these demands, has over time developed several democratically acceptable processes and policies, that promote consultation, internal cohesion and leadership to facilitate victories at the polls.”

The President recalled the consultation he had held with stakeholders “that would help the electoral fortunes of our party, beginning with the State Governors. This is the second in the series and I still look forward to meeting with party stakeholders. These steps are being taken to ensure that the unity and cohesion of the party are sustained and to provide direction.

“Amongst others things, I reminded the APC Governors of the need for the party to proceed to the 2023 Presidential elections with strength, unity of purpose and to present a flag bearer who will give Nigerians a sense of hope and confidence, while ensuring victory for our party. I extend a similar reminder to all of you distinguished aspirants.”

Saying the APC will on Monday June 6, 2022 commence its national convention during which one candidate will be picked by delegates to fly the flag of the party for the 2023 Presidential Election, President Buhari said he was aware that there is anxiety among party members about the outcome of the process.

“Given these circumstances, I charge you to recognize the importance of the stability and unity of the party, which cannot be overemphasized.

“Similarly, I wish to remind you that our choice of flag bearer must be formidable, appealing to the electorate across the board and should command such ability to unify the country and capacity to address our critical challenges.

“Ahead of the Convention, the party machinery has screened and found all aspirants eminently qualified. Recognizing this fact, the Screening Committee has, amongst others, recommended that consensus building through consultation, be intensified.

“Without prejudice to your qualifications, I urge all of you to hold consultations amongst yourselves and with the party, with a view to building a consensus in a manner that would help the party reduce the number of aspirants, bring up a formidable candidate and scale down the anxiety of party members.”

The President assured that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would continue to provide effective leadership during the transition processes and on-going consultations, “until we successfully make the choice on the candidate that will fly the flag of our party for the presidential elections and make the party stronger. I seek your support in this all important responsibility.”

Earlier, National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu had promised that all stakeholders of the party would be reached in the consultation process.

Responding on behalf of the aspirants, former Governor of old Abia State and immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, and Vice President, ‘Yemi Osinbajo, thanked the President for his leadership and guidance, pledging that they would hold the consultations as counseled “for the unity and strength of our party, the APC.”

By Adesina Soyooye

In a surprise move, Northern Governors of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and Northern Leaders, have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse a Southerner as his successor in office.

In a statement signed by eleven of them, the Governors and Leaders said: “After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the Southern States of Nigeria.”

Affirming that their stand had nothing to do with the decision taken by the PDP, the Governors and Leaders said it was a matter of honour.

“It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party. We affirm that upholding this principle is in the intersr of building a stronger, more united and more progressive  country”, they said.

By the stand they took, the APC has pulled the rug from under the feet of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which,  on May 28, 2022,  elected former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku as its candidate.

The Southern Governors Forum, ably led by the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had unanimously, insisted on the rotation of the Presidential seat to the South after Buhari’s eight years in office. The PDP Leadership did not adhere to that.

Based on the decision of the Northern Governors, Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, a Presidential aspirant, immediately withdrew from the race.

Unconfirmed sources said that Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, both aspirants, have been asked to withdraw.

However,  Lawan has continued with his aspiration,  sealing a working arrangement with Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, also an aspirant.

Both men pledged to support each other in the event one of them gets the ticket. Umahi is eyeing the Vice Presidential slot in the event that Lawan picks the ticket.

Following is the full text of the Statement by the eleven APC Northern Governors and political leaders from the North.

Statement by Northern States’ APC Governors and Political Leaders

“APC governors and political leaders from the northern states of Nigeria today met to review the political situation and to further support our Party in providing progressive leadership amidst our national challenges. During our discussions, we welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation to governors and other stakeholders to contribute to the emergence of a strong presidential candidate for the APC.

“After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the southern states of Nigeria. It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party. We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.

“We, therefore, wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to our compatriots from the southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badaru to  contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.

“The APC has a duty to ensure that the 2023 elections offer a nation-building moment, reaffirming that a democratic pathway to power exists for all who value cooperation and build national platforms. This moment calls for the most sober and inclusive approach to selecting our party’s candidate, and we call on all APC leaders to fulfil their responsibility in this regard.

Signed, 4th June 2022:

Aminu Bello Masari            Governor of Katsina State

Abubakar Sani Bello            Governor of Niger State

Abdullahi A. Sule            Governor of Nasarawa State

Prof. B.G. Umara Zulum        Governor of Borno State

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai        Governor of Kaduna State

Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya  Governor of Gombe State

Bello M. Matawalle            Governor of Zamfara State

Simon Bako Lalong            Governor of Plateau State

Senator Aliyu Wamakko     Former Governor of Sokoto State

Dr. A.U. Ganduje            Governor of Kano State

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu    Governor of Kebbi State”

The APC Presidential Primaries is scheduled for between June 6 to June 7.

By Gideon Njoku

Under the All Progressives Congress, APC, perhaps, the end of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s Presidential bid has come, even before the Presidential Primaries.

If what the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said is anything to go by, then Tinubu might as well kiss his Presidential aspiration under the Party goodbye.

Abdullahi told Reporters at the APC Headquarters in Abuja that the Party would sanction Tinubu for insulting President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu’s problems began in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during his visit to woo delegates to vote for him at the APC’s Presidential Primaries in Abuja scheduled for June 6 and June 7.

In a bid to market his capabilities, he told them that without him, Buhari wouldn’t have become President in 2015. He reminded them that Buhari had contested three times and failed, and even said on National Television that he would never contest again until he convinced him to contest in 2015, promised him victory, and delivered on his promise.

Tinubu’s utterances outraged a number of Buhari supporters, including  Tinubu’s bosom friend and staunch supporter, Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to  the Government, who accused Tinubu, in a statement on Friday, of denigrating President Buhari. Lawal dismissed Tinubu’s claim of installing Buhari as “bullshit”. He said Buhari’s victory was a collective effort, and chided Tinubu for bragging about it. “Why are the others not bragging?, he asked.

Seeing the damage his utterances were already doing to his aspiration, Tinubu’s Campaign Organisation, in a statement  signed by its spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said that what Tinubu said has been deliberately misinterpreted for mischief purposes. The statement said that Tinubu never denigraded the President.

Within a few hours, Tinubu, in a statement he personally  signed, pledged his loyalty to the President, and emphasised that  he would never denigrade him or disrespect his office, the same office he is aspiring to occupy.

Apparently, the conciliatory statements were not enough, and has cut no ice with the leadership of the APC.

According to Adamu, Tinubu insulted the President, and will be sanctioned. He described what Tinubu said as “unbecoming.”

Adamu did not, however, say the type of sanction that would be meted out on Tinubu.

Already, he has been cleared to take part in the Primaries on June 6 and 7.

Strong speculations are that  he might lose in the Primaries, or be prevented from taking part. Either way, the opinion is that Tinubu has two options  – go to Court if he is stopped from taking part in the Primaries, or defect to another party.

Only President Muhammadu Buhari can intervene to prevent the looming crisis. He has a meeting/dinner with all the aspirants before the Primaries. Will Tinubu be stopped from attending?

Either way, both the Party and Tinubu are in trouble.