Emerging report reaching Page 36 on Tuesday evening, from Channels Television, indicates that 3 All Progressives Congress, APC, 2023 Presidential Aspirants, a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, and 2 others unnamed, have stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to emerge as the party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2023 general elections.
An APC Chieftain and Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Kabiru Gaya, disclosed this while briefing Channels Television, today, in Abuja.
Although he did not mention who the other 2 Aspirants are, there are speculations that they are a former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and a Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Ajayi Boroffice.
Noting that the ruling party has decided to zone the Presidential ticket to the South-West region, he stated that the Aspirants are expected to address the Delegates shortly.
His words: “We have Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Bola Tinubu; it comes down to the South-West. I am aware that a few Aspirants have stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. They are Ken Nnamani and two others. I think that will be announced later.
“Whatever the number the party decides; it is up for, because the people need to come and address the party members and tell them if they are stepping down, why are they stepping down, and for who. If they are not stepping down, let them tell Nigerians what they intend to do to improve the situation in the governance of Nigeria.”
He stated that the APC took its decision to give its Presidential ticket to the Southern region, in the spirit of equity and justice, adding that, he believes that the ruling party has sent a signal to Nigerians, that it is not a regional or sectional association, but one that is meant for all the masses.
He noted: “In principle, we have President Buhari from Northern Nigeria, that is serving seven years going to eight years; I think naturally, the power should shift to the South. That is what we have been talking about for over two years. I believe that Nigerians will believe that APC is the party for all. It is not a sectional or regional party.
“In any decision you take, it has merits and demerits. When the merits are more, then you say ‘we’, that is the majority. So, the majority of Nigerians accept that let the leadership of the Presidency of APC or Nigeria go to the South, and we all agreed to that.”