An Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, Taiwo Akintola, has assured the constituents of quality representation if elected.
He spoke after receiving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official result in Ibadan, following his victory in the APC primaries.
Akintola, an engineer, polled 202 votes, while his opponents- Comrade Moshood Erubami and Ibrahim Bolomope had 162 and 81 votes.
SIR: I wish to draw attention to the salient issues raised in the open letter by Muhammadu Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate to the delegates of his party published in The Nation of yesterday, December 10.
He mentioned insecurity, corruption and economic collapse as some factors that have brought the country low. He further stressed that it is overdue for all and sundry to work together to lift Nigeria up.
You will agree with me that this is a humble and articulate stance of someone that really knows what he wants; what are expected of him and that, he can only achieve the objectives with the co-operation of all well meaning Nigerians. This also is a position that could be taken only by someone that realizes that something is definitely wrong somewhere and is willing and ready to make amends for a better future. He went further to state that he has served Nigeria to the best of his ability and that he has always tried to give more to the nation than the country has given him which is the principle that has guided his public life. To me, this is an open claim and challenge to anyone that can come forward to raise objections.
Buhari went further to say that he is not a rich person this is also an open claim and a challenge to anyone that has contrary opinion about the true status of the man to come forward and expose him to the world otherwise, he would be considered to be the only former Head of State of this country to be in that position. To this end, he said he is not in a position to give the delegates a fistfull of dollars or naira to purchase their support. Most importantly, he said even if he could do so, he will never do it because the fate of the nation is not for sale. This statement can only come out from someone that is principled, committed, patriotic and full of dignity.
Furthermore, he said that he does not intend to rule Nigeria but to democratically govern it with our help. This is also a statement that can only be said by someone who knows the differences and objectives of democratic governance compared to others. Continuing, he said he is seeking a country where Christians and Muslims will practice their faith in peace and security, a Nigeria where corruption will no longer trespass into our national behavior but a country where our diversity could be used for our national prosperity.
The content of the letter should be embraced by our politicians and leaders as guiding principles to good governance. It is a clarion call and challenge to everyone that truly want to serve. I will be looking forward to reading such eye catching, conscience pricking and hope raising statements from all our leaders going forward.
•Raymond Oise-Oghaede.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has polled a total of 954 votes at the ongoing APC presidential primaries in Lagos.
About 8, 000 delegates were expected to take part in the convention, but only 7,214 were accredited during the exercise.
Meanwhile, counting of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari’s votes has commenced.
2.54pm
Atiku polls 954 votes
2.25pm
Sorting of votes completed. Final counting of votes commences with Atiku’s total votes
10.30am
Former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari maintains an early lead as ballot paper sorting continues at the APC Primary election in Lagos.
Buhari has so far polled about half of the over 1,000 votes sorted.
8.45am
Voting has ended at the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention to produce a presidential flagbearer of the party.
The exercise commenced at about 2am Thursday with delegates casting their votes on state by state basis.
Sorting of ballots is presently ongoing while counting is expected to commence soon.
Voting Ends
The voting that started at about midnight between the 36 states in alphabetical order just came to an end as delegates explore their opportunities to vote a candidate of their choice in the secret open ballot boxes system.
Counting to commence shortly.
Five aspirants to contest for ticket, none steps down
Kwakwanso, Nda Isaiah, Okorocha present manifesto to delegates
Buhari speaks
General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) while addressing the delegates at the ongoing convention also urged them to change the present government and vote in APC.
According to him, “We need change now.
“We need real leadership to solve our problems.
“I still live on my pension.
“I owe no foreign account.
“Failure does not deserve continuity.
“We cannot afford another 4 years of PDP corruption.”
Atiku’s speaks to delegates
Former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar addresses delegates at the ongoing convention, assuring them of the change that will happen when APC takes over in 2015.
He believes that Nigerians want change because they are tired of the bad PDP-led government.
He said; “Nigerians are tired of the crashing level of employment.
“Nigerians are fed up with dangerous PDP mathematics.
“Nigerians are tired of the abuse of power and impunity
“Nigerians are tired of plying death traps called roads
“These are some of the reason why Nigerians want change
“You came because you believe in change and a nation bound in freedom, peace and unity
“The APC is offering something we have not heard for a long time.
“Now Nigeria needs a leader who understands what it takes to create job and turn something around.”
Tinubu addresses delegates
All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his goodwill message at the convention, said Nigeria will change if APC is voted into office in 2015.
He said:“Not only shall we hear the voice of change; we shall also hear the trumpet of victory come February 2015.”
He urged the delegates to do what is right adding: “You were chosen as delegates because you were trusted to do what is right and what is just and not what they are doing in Abuja.”
APC manifesto adopted @ convention
The APC has adopted its manifesto with which it intends to govern the country,if elected into Presidency in 2015.
Following a motion moved by its National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire and seconded by another chieftain of the party, the manifesto was adopted through a voice vote by the delegates present.
Gemade presented to delegates
Former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade, was officially presented to delegates as a member of the APC.
Gemade, who is now a senatorial candidate of the APC in Benue State, according to Oyegun, joined the APC because he agrees with the wind of change.
Oyegun welcomes delegates
The National chairman of the All Progressives Party, Chief John Odigie-Oeyegun, is welcoming delegates to the convention.
In his speech, he advised that; “Though only one candidate will emerge, all our five aspirants remain flag bearers of the APC.
“This is because the task at hand requires all good hands to be on deck. And in our aspirants, we have five good hands ready to rescue Nigeria.
“With the candidate that we will produce here today, APC will end this era of inefficient leadership. Ours is a party with direction. Here tonight, we will adopt the manifesto that will guide Nigeria to greatness.”
Fashola gives keynote address
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has just delivered his keynote address, urging delegates to choose aspirant that would champion the ” much expected” change in the country.
Fayemi delivers welcome speech
The Chairman, APC convention planning committee, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is presently giving his welcome speech
Buhari, Kwankwaso walk into convention venue
Two presidential aspirants – former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have walked into the APC convention arena.
The former head of state was the first to walk in, while Kwankwaso entered the arena few moments later.
Tambuwal, Okorocha arrive
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, have arrived the venue of the All Progressives Congress national convention.
All aspirants still on ballot – Fayemi
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress National Convention Committee, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed reports that some presidential aspirants have withdrawn from the race.
He stated in a chat with journalists at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, venue of the convention that all the aspirants are still in the race.
Fayemi’s clarification followed speculations that Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, have stepped down for former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who is also in the race for the party’s presidential ticket.
Election set to commence as delegates take seats
By Musa Odoshimokhe
The delegates started entering into the main arena around 6 pm to take their seats; the accreditation of delegates has been on since 3pm.
The atmosphere has been calm and orderly as security officials frisk people coming into the venue. Music is blaring from loud speakers strategically located.
National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in a tweet said: “Make this APC convention one that will be forever remembered as the moment Nigeria turned from failure to move forward to its finest destiny. You came not just as party members or communities. You came here as representatives of a new Nigeria.”
9ice on stage thrilling
Gongo Aso crooner, Abolore Akande presently thrilling the crowd at Teslim Balogun stadium….
Buhari’s open letter to delegates
The All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) has urged delegates to cast their votes with best judgments and a patriotic conscience.
The APC presidential aspirant, who pleaded for the votes of the delegates, said his presidential ambition is borne out of the desire to salvage the country from multiple crises and not for personal ambition.
In the letter he personally signed, Buhari said: “As you gather for our convention, please remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are there with you. They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience. I also ask you to do the same.”
He further maintained that he would not offer any delegate cash to purchase supports because “the fate of Nigeria is not up for sale”
He added: “We seek a new Nigeria. It starts with us. It starts today. I have placed myself before you seeking your help to nominate me as your standard bearer for our progressive party, APC.
“Nigeria is our home, let us now turn it into the great nation we know it can and should be.”
APC presidential primary’ll be transparent, says Fayemi
By Musa Odoshimokhe
The chairman Planning Committee of the 3rd National Convention Presidential Primary Election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said that the party is determined to conduct a Presidential primary that is democratic and transparent.
Fayemi said this during his tour of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the convention.
He said what matters to the party, is not who emerges as the Presidential candidate but the process through which he emerges.
He said, “APC is trying to enrich Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that the presidential candidate of the party will emerge through a democratic process that will not be like a coronation being carried out in Abuja by the PDP.
“The party has made all arrangements to ensure that the candidate of the party is elected through a transparent primary election which will be done at the full glare of the entire world.
Also speaking, former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola said his expectation is that whoever emerges as the Presidential candidate of the APC is going to be the next President of the country.
He said the APC is going to produce a Presidential candidate that had the capability and carriage to cause a very positive change for our dear country.
Also speaking, the Senator Ganiyu Solomon said the arrangement for the convention was in order, saying nobody has laid any complaint.
Hotels patronage increases in Lagos
Some hoteliers in Lagos on Wednesday said the All Progressives Congress conventions in the state had increased the patronage of their businesses.
The hoteliers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that though the conventions were not usually beyond two days but business had been good.
The APC Presidential primaries began on Dec. 10 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, with 8,000 delegates across the country.
“It has boosted our patronage but only for a short period of time of two days and then they are gone.
“So many politicians are from outside Lagos and a lot of hotel rooms around Surulere are also fully booked.
“It’s good for Surulere because if they had picked Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), what would have happened is that hotels on the Island would have had that patronage.
“So, really it helps us,’’ the Vice-Chairman, Rita Lori Hotels, Mr. Meyiwa Ogbebor said, pointing out however, that the patronage had not caused an upward review of room rates.
“The rate we gave is what we always give; we didn’t change it.’’
He said that though hoteliers looked forward to favourable patronage during the electoral period, some had become apprehensive of the public conduct of some politicians.
“I personally wasn’t going to allow politicians come into our hotels because we are a bit worried about fighting, but we were assured that everybody who came here would be of their best behaviour.
“So, we’ve taken a chance, and if we see that this chance we’ve taken goes well, then we will like them to return.
Mr. Stephen Johnson, the General Manager, Lyntex Suites, said the hotel had been fully booked since last week Sunday.
The Administrative Manager, Stadium Hotel, Lagos, Mr. Odeniran Olaniyi, told NAN that hotels only benefitted from the national political conventions and activities.
“Most Lagos Conventions don’t have any impact on our business because most of the participants reside in Lagos.
“The one that should have an impact is the current national convention of the APC, but we have not seen any of them; we are still expecting them,’’ Olaniyi said.
Text of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s speech at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, last night.
My duty today is simple; yet it is one that excites me very deeply because as I welcome you all to Lagos and to the first Presidential Convention of the All Progressives Congress, I am confident that I am welcoming you to change.
I welcome you to a change that is for the better.
I welcome you to change that will liberate Nigeria from inefficient national management.
I welcome you all delegates from across Nigeria, to Lagos, where the first building blocks of the country now known as Nigeria were laid.
I welcome you back to the epicenter of nationalism and the home of change, where our pre-eminent nationalists forced a change from colonial government to a Nigerian government.
I welcome you all back to where the promise of Nigeria was hatched, as a land of endless opportunities.
Unfortunately, the bridge between us and our opportunities have been shattered by a series of broken promises by a party, Government and President for whom promises mean nothing.
I have made it my task to record as many of the promises made by President Jonathan and his party. The lists of promises are as long as the list of disappointments.
All over Nigeria, he made promises to us and as far as Lagos is concerned, I can tell you that those promises remain unfulfilled without explanation.
I do not know what all experiences from your various states are, but I will repeat here, some of the promises that I recorded that he made across Nigeria and ask you to tell us whether they have been fulfilled.
· To complete the second River Niger bridge before the expiration of the tenure
·To make the Minister of Works to immediately start repairs of the road leading to Murtala Mohammed International Airport
·To transform all major routes in Damaturu to federal roads
·To assist in resuscitating all the collapsed industries in Kano state
·To set up a committee to review Federal government landed properties in Lagos, hand over those that should and retain those that should be in possession of the Federal Government.
·To give Sokoto-Kotangora road unfettered attention
·To deliver stable, constant supply of electricity
·To ensure that Nigerians do not use generators more than two times in a week
·To explore the coal deposits in Benue and Kogi states for improved power supply
·To reduce the importation of generators at least 90 percent in four years.
·To address the issues of unemployment through diversification of the nation’s economy to that of sustainable agricultural development across the 36 states of federation
·To create 1.5 million jobs in 2 years
·To transform the economy within four years
·To construct 2 world scale petrochemical plants, 2 fertilizer plants and 2 fertilizer blending plants.
·To establish petrochemical plant around Koko Free Trade Zone in Delta State
·To make Nigeria go beyond producing and exporting crude oil to exporting refined petroleum products because Nigeria has no reason to keep importing kerosene
·To make anyone caught breaching the public peace to face the full wrath of the law.
·To make sure that no part of the country is allowed to be a sanctuary for criminals anymore be they armed robbers or kidnappers
·To make a complete transformation of national security architecture
·To ensure there is no sacred cow in the fight against corruption; all crimes will be investigated as security is key.
· To strengthen EFCC and ICPC to fight crime
·To embark on irrigation project to boost production; to start two projects in Kwara State
·To boost farming activities by providing power and water
·To re-build Ilesa water scheme
·To complete Ife/Ijesa dam
·To provide sufficient water to the people of Taraba;
·To revamp mining activities in Jos, Plateau State
·To make solid mineral key revenue source in Nigeria
·To fight corruption regardless of the position of the person involved
·To play politics without bitterness.
·To lead by example; strengthen the anti-graft agencies, not interfere and give free hand on all matters of investigation against any government official.
·To ensure that the National Boundary Development Agencies are funded to tackle the challenges that arose out of the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun
Today, we must rebuild the bridge that will bring change to Nigeria and more Nigerians closer to the promise of Nigeria.
Today you will have the opportunity to change broken promises to fulfilled promises and rescue Nigeria from mismanagement and bad governance.
Our party has carefully developed a Manifesto through which the broken and unfulfilled promises made to the people of Nigeria can be actualized.
The Manifesto is anchored on changing insecurity to security.
That Manifesto will change a dysfunctional government to an efficient Government.
That Manifesto will change underdevelopment to rapid and accelerated development.
That Manifesto will change our poor circumstances to a prosperous dawn.
That Manifesto will change Nigeria’s global reputation from its current dismal status to one of international respect and global admiration.
One man will bear the responsibility and enormous burden for implementing that Manifesto and the change that it brings.
All of you, our delegates are the men and women to whom history has been so kind to bring to this day, to this State, to this venue and to this moment, to choose that man with your votes.
Let me be clear. What you are gathered to do is epical.
What you are gathered to do is not easy. Change is not easy.
What you are gathered to do is important to the whole world.
Let me remind you that we gather to vote to make a choice that will alter the way Nigeria develops and in that way, Africa develops.
You are gathered to elect the potential leader of Africa’s most populous nation.
You are gathered to elect the Ambassador of Change.
Please do so wisely, decorously and with a sense of duty.
God bless you all as you cast the votes to change Nigerians for the better. Long live the All Progressives Congress.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State
The immediate past Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Prince Yinka Durosinmi, has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest next year’s House of Representatives’ election, to represent the Ojo Federal Constituency. Durosinmi received 204 votes out of a total of 458 votes to secure the ticket.
The victory was at the expense of the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Toyin Suarau, who got 97 votes.
Nevertheless, Durosinmi’s closest rival in the contest was the former Lagos State Auditor General, Alh. Muhammed Mubashiru Hassan. Also in the race was the immediate past Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert. Hassan and Robert received 113 and 44 votes respectively.
According to Durosinmi, who was overwhelmed by the outcome of the contest, it was a well-deserved victory, which amounts to a recognition of his six years of commitment to the development of Ojo Local Government. He thanked all delegates and the entire residents of the constituency for reposing such confidence in him.
“It is a well-deserved one and I know that it has to do with my works while in office as the local government chairman for the past six years. With this they have given me another chance to do even more and I will do no less,” he added.
Observers described the exercise as free and transparent.
An aspiring member of the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Lanre, has urged the party to cancel the of result of the primary of Ikorodu Constituency 1.
In a petitioned filed on his behalf by Akinsanya Taoreed to the Lagos State APC Electoral Committee, Lanre said the December 2 primary was not transparent, as fake delegates participated in the shadow election.
He said a former councilor from Olorunda Ward, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) was arrested with fake 70 delegates’ tags during the exercise.
He said: “On the day of the primary, at least five fake people with tags were allowed from each ward in all the 17 wards to vote and actually voted.
“Most of the delegates behaved as if they were either under duress or had sworn to an oath at the shrine at Odogunyan, administered by some elders of the council, warning them of the dire consequences if their candidate lost.”
He added that the election was a sham, because the incumbent occupant of the seat used undemocratic means to alter the will of the people.
“Some delegates avoided the election for fear of their lives, after being threatened and made to swear to the juju shrine at Odongunyan.”
The main political issue today is the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) taking place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, where the Presidential candidate of the main opposition party for the 2015 elections will emerge — Muhammed Buhari, Abubakar Atiku and Sam Nda Isaiah are in the race even as an unconfirmed report claimed Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha would step down.
As we all know politics is the greatest driver of insecurity in Nigeria, and today’s convention will naturally present its own security and safety challenges for the organizers, the attendees and the local populace.
I expect the organizers to have taken into serious consideration the core security and safety issues typically associated with such events, in order to provide a safe and conducive environment to the attendees and also minimize the disruption and inconvenience to ordinary citizens around the area of the convention.
We understand that FRSC has deployed 100 officers to ensure effective traffic management in the city, especially in Surulere and its environs where the Teslim Balogun Stadium is located.
Also, according to a statement attributed to Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, Western Avenue and Alhaji Masha Road in Surulere would be partially closed to traffic, and pedestrian access to the convention venue will be restricted to only accredited APC members, observers and media personnel.
Here are some tips that may be helpful to those attendees and the local populace:
I wish all concerned a safe and peaceful convention.
Ajayi (@FAjayi10 writes from Lagos. He can be reached via: Twitter:@RiskControlNG and Facebook: Risk Control Nigeria
The Lagos State government has ordered the partial closure of Funsho Williams Avenue in Surulere today to control traffic due to the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa, in a statement yesterday, said vehicular movement around the venue will be affected and congestion expected, especially on Funsho Williams/Western Avenue Surulere, Yaba, Masha and Costain areas.
The affected areas are Funso Williams/Western Avenue from Olumegbon to National Stadium; Funso Williams/Western Avenue from Alaka to National Stadium; Alhaji Masha road from Shitta roundabout to Alaka and the Shitta Flyover.
He said vehicles from Lagos Island to Surulere will be directed to exit at Costain to link Surulere via Eric Moore, while vehicles from Ikorodu road, Mushin, Yaba and the Mainland to Surulere will be directed at Ojuelegba to link Surulere via Itire- Lawanson road or at Iponri via Bode Thomas.
Opeifa also added that vehicles to Agege Motor Road, Mushin and Ikorodu road from Surulere will be diverted to Bode Thomas, Eric Moore, Akerele road and Itire Lawanson Road to link Western Avenue and Agege Motor Road at Ojuelegba Roundabout.
Also vehicles from Surulere, Alhaji Masha and Shitta to Lagos Island and Apapa will be diverted to Bode Thomas and Eric Moore to link Eko Bridge.
“Parking will be available only at the stadium while pedestrian access to the convention venue will be restricted to only accredited APC members, accredited observers, accredited media personnel.”
Opeifa said bus shuttle and taxis will be available from hotel and airport to the convention venue.
He assured that officers and men of the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been deployed to manage traffic and reduce congestion on the roads.
He urged delegates to contact LASTMA’s General Manager Babatunde Edu on 08029728271, and LAGBUS’s Managing Director Tunde Disu on 07041446001.
The Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos is wearing a new look.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who was at the stadium yesterday reports that the party’s flags and banners of its presidential aspirants dotted the venue of the convention.
The presence of security men was also noticeable at the main entrance of the stadium.
Some Toyota Hilux vehicles belonging to the police were also parked in the premises.
No fewer than 8,000 delegates are expected to converge on the 25,000 capacity stadium for the convention.
The convention is expected to produce the party’s presidential candidate in next year’s election.
The aspirants include a former military Head of State, retired Maj-Gen Mohammadu Buhari; a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Kano State State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso .
Others are Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Publisher of Leadership Newspaper Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah.
The presidential election in February, 2015 is no doubt the best opportunity for an opposition party, the APC, a coalition of parties, namely AC, ANPP, CPC and a faction of APGA, to clinch the coveted post of the presidency in Nigeria. Under the prevailing situation in the country, with the ruling party, the PDP, in bad shape, the presidency is there for grab by the new formidable opposition. But this can only be achieved if the APC does not commit mistakes of playing into the hands of the PDP. This calls for selflessness on the part of the leaders of the APC and their presidential aspirants. The APC should by now know the best candidate they can sell to the public. Naturally, such a candidate should come from those leaders who had gone through thick and thin to form the party in the first place. One of these pioneers is Gen. Buhari of the CPC which merged with CAN, ANPP, and a faction of APGA.
As it is, the APC and its founding fathers have accommodated new comers who I believe, should have kept away from contesting the presidential primary. But because the APC and its leaderships believe in the democratic process, the race was thrown open to all those who are interested in becoming the president, regardless of their initial contribution to the tortuous journey of getting the party recognized. In this connection, one would have thought that a consensus candidate would have been agreed upon, but the leaders opted for the primary in order to keep the party intact.
Of all the candidates, Gen. Buhari remains on top because he is the one with notable exposure in the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT. His popularity in the North is legendary. He stands shoulder high in the fight against corruption and indiscipline for which he is also a legendary figure, not to mention his Spartan discipline.
Nigerian needs Buhari more than Buhari needs Nigeria in her darkest hours of indiscipline, impunity and corruption.
If the issues of indiscipline and corruption can be tackled with the vigor by which Buhari did when he was Head of State, Nigeria may be on its way to redemption. Therefore, his candidature will send jitters to the PDP who already know his position against corruption which had been the PDP’s trademark for 16 years! I can imagine some PDP politicians decamping to APC for fear of the unknown in Buhari’s presidency in 2015.
A good advice for whoever picks the APC’s presidential ticket concerns the choice of his running mate. First advice is who should not be his running mate % a muslim and a Yoruba, if the APC must win the presidential election next year. Well meaning Nigerians have been advised against the volatile issue of a muslim%muslim ticket. Already the PDP has labelled APC a muslim party which we all know is not true. To present a muslim%muslim ticket is to give the PDP a potent weapon as a campaign issue. Remember that Obasanjo, a Yoruba, has just finished 8 years as president of Nigeria in 2007. This was to be followed by a candidate from the South or North. Now, the candidate is zoned to the North. Already a South%South is the incumbent president. For the purpose of fairness, a South%West should not be put forward as vice presidential candidate. This is where the South%East comes in. If they cannot clinch the presidential ticket, they should be considered for the V.P so as to give the South%East a sense of belonging. The APC is already solid in the South%West and the North. Because of Obasanjo who had just finished 8 years as president, the Yoruba, who are a sophisticated people, do not clamour for a position in the presidency, i.e. president or vice president, the latter being a potential president.
Now, Rochas Okorocha would be a good candidate for the V.P except that he is already contesting as president. Rotimi Amaechi and Comrade Oshiomole are also good candidates, except that they come from the same zone with Jonathan who is the incumbent president. This leaves the best choice of V.P candidate to the South East if the party hopes to win votes from that zone. There are many important positions to be shared, but the bottom line is: no muslim%muslim ticket and no Yoruba as Vice-president. The APC should not downplay the role of electorate’s sensibilities on matters of this nature, for we are in Nigeria and not in the UK or America where deft political calculations do not matter. After all, what the APC wants is to send the PDP packing in 2015. This could be done not by political leaders but by the electorate who go to the polls under a combination of factors: religion and ethnicity which, in addition, would have the prevailing horrible economic, security and social crises for the parties, especially the PDP, to contend with. Pragmaticism is the sure philosophy here, that is if APC will win, the right choices of good and acceptable presidential and vice presidential candidates will do the work. No sentiment, selfishness, self help or carelessness. Our leaders must not disappoint us. If APC wins, all the members win; if it loses, all of them lose in a fell-swop. And lovers of APC may never forgive their leaders should they bungle this golden opportunity of ruling Nigeria for once and for a change. Thanks.
Moses Akinola Makinde, FNAL
Professor of Philosophy
DG/CEO, Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Osogbo.