Nigeria: Last minute manouvres as ruling party braces for Convention
By John Eche
Factions and interests within Nigeria’s ruling political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC are engaged in last minute manouvres for advantage ahead of their scheduled National Convention on February 26, The Difference reports.
As things are panning out, the factions and interests are coalescing around the interests of leading contenders who are expected to fly the party’s flag in the General Elections in Nigeria that have been scheduled for February and March, 2023.
Two of the leading contenders for the presidential duel in the party at the moment are National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
While Tinubu has formally announced his intention to contend for the position, Osinbajo is yet to formally do so. openly. Two other contenders that have expressed their intention to run are Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Other touted contended are Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Petroleum Timipre Sylva.
While the convention is coming several weeks ahead of the primaries contest to elect a flagbearer for the party in the presidential elections proper, it is being taken very seriously by all serious contenders as any advantage secured at this point would definitely come in handy during the primaries itself.
No venue has presently been announced for the convention but sources say that the party is doing everything to ensure it does not flout the statutory 21 days window to communicate its plans for the convention to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Vive President Yemi Osinbajo
Comments