Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, scheming within the All-Progressives Congress (APC) is in high gear as four power blocs have emerged to lobby for the presidential ticket for their preferred candidates. New National Star gathered that the race for the control of the party ahead of the National Convention of the party has begun with the just concluded ward congresses, which have already generated controversies.
The ward congresses were supposed to have been followed by the Local government and state congresses but the leadership of the party has decided to put it on hold to allow for reconciliation and verification of results. The APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) had on Wednesday in Abuja inaugurated the Ward Congress Appeal Committees. The CECPC Secretary, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, conducted the inauguration at the APC National Secretariat on behalf of the chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Our correspondent gathered that the dust generated by the congresses was due to the failure of some party leaders to gain the control of the party structure in some of their targeted states. Independent findings revealed that the four power blocs have former and serving governors of the party in their folds. The first group comprises Mamman Daura, the nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Buni and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN). Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma are also strong members of the group. This group, it was learnt, is stoutly opposed to the ambition of the National Leader of the party and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is heading the second group with Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The recent comment by Daura against the rotational president, a source said, was a subtle message against the aspiration of Tinubu, who is hoping that the presidential ticket would be zoned to the South. The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, and Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna state are believed to be heading the third group. The two governors are in their second terms and are rooting for a joint ticket. The fourth power bloc is said to be headed by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and also has the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo. A source said, “The Daura group is the most powerful and has the ear of the president. The recent comment by Daura against rotational president was purposeful. It was to generate feedback from the public. That was why the presidency issued a statement that it should not be taken for the position of the president. But for those who know the relationship between the two men, they know Daura is not a careless talker and wouldn’t say anything to hurt the interest of the president.” But a top party stalwart told New National Star that the President has yet to make any commitment on the zoning which is why different power blocs are emerging and scheming for power control.
“All the groups are waiting for the president to decide on whether the zoning arrangement would apply or not. That is why they are still keeping their gun-powder dry. But surely, the president’s decision on zoning would either lead to a realignment of forces or cause implosion in the party,” the source said.