Television Nigerian

Nigeria’s presidential election is set for February of next year, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The machinations of politics in the run-up to the election have begun in earnest. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level (APC). Serious contenders for the top job abound in the PDP. If achievements and promises made and kept (or broken) are used as yardsticks for electing the next President post-Buhari, the PDP has a good chance of defeating the APC convincingly.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) is now a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is still a PDP card-carrying member as of the last time we checked. However, reports on the internet claimed that the ruling APC was courting him to defect from the PDP and run for president under its banner.

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The scheme is primarily aimed at ‘coronating’ Jonathan as President, and because he has previously ruled, he is only eligible for a one-term presidency. And when his last constitutional term ended, a northerner would naturally succeed him as Vice-President, propelling another Hausa or Fulani to continue the northern presidential reign.

Jonathan might or might not be aware of this nefarious scheme. His handlers, on the other hand, must make him aware of the implications and consequences. Power is enticing, but it taints good morals. GEJ may not be a saint, but he is a man of integrity.

His six years in Aso Rock will be remembered for a number of historic events, both good and bad. His ascension following the tragic death of then-President Musa Yar’Adua was made possible by the Senate’s unprecedented ‘doctrine of necessity.’ GEJ, aided by that extraordinary constitutional coup, displayed a timidity and myopia never seen before in Nigerian executive power corridors.

He fumbled and wobbled until he was ‘intimidated’ out of the Aso Villa, indicating that he was unprepared for power or the massive task ahead. Corruption, impunity, and opacity flourished as he stumbled and wobbled, unable to provide effective leadership.

Jonathan’s inability to command and control disappointed a lot of people. On numerous occasions, he demonstrated his ineptness and incompetence. Though a gentleman, whatever presidential failures he was associated with were made up for when he patriotically acknowledged his defeat in the polls after the presidential election of 2015. He had demonstrated a rare African quality of statesmanship by doing so.

During his presidency, Jonathan accomplished some good things. In the international exchange mechanism, he was able to keep the Naira stable. The economy performed admirably, propelling the country to the top of Africa’s economic rankings. In an environment where Boko Haram had declared Western education an aberration, he built many modern schools up north, encouraging the many illiterate young northerners to go to school.

However, his legacy was also marred by massive corruption, which continues to reverberate today. We were treated to ‘Dasuki-gate’ and ‘Diezani-gate’ after his exit from the Aso Villa. Even his wife, Dame Patience, has had to deal with the EFCC over graft issues. Many state and non-state actors took advantage of GEJ’s generosity and docility to defraud the country.

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Many undeclared presidential candidates abound in the ruling APC, quietly nursing their ambitions and biding their time. The strongest candidate is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former Lagos state governor and godfather, who has not yet declared his candidacy openly.

However, there are subterranean campaigns to this effect taking place across the federation, with many support groups competing to outdo one another. However, the Lagos strongman has stated that he will make his ambition public after conducting extensive consultations.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a proud Lagosian and the current Vice-President, is also vying for the highest executive office. Asiwaju Tinubu could be said to have made Osinbajo —- right from his appointment as Commissioner to the Vice-Presidency in Tinubu’s cabinet in Lagos, but both men’s presidential ambitions threaten to destroy any goodwill that exists between them.

Prof. Osinbajo, like his benefactor, has not made his presidential ambitions clear. However, campaigns are also taking place in the shadows, with anonymous posters being seen in Abuja and elsewhere.

Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his gang of governors may well decide who gets what when the time comes. Aminu Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto, and Bukola Saraki, the former Senate President, may face off against Atiku Abubakar for the party’s flagbearer.

Other opposition politicians from smaller parties must be taken into account. Quality candidates such as African Action Congress (AAC) Comrade Omoyele Sowore and banker Kingsley Muoghalu may want to try again to upstage the establishment, as Emmanuel Macron did in France five years ago. There is no shortage of good presidential materials in Nigeria.

The country’s south-east region is adamant that it will be their turn to produce the President in 2023. However, it appears that no one is paying attention to them or their complaints. The PDP appears to be on the verge of abandoning zoning. And the APC appears to be looking for a successor to Buhari in the south-south or in the Niger Delta region.

Goodluck Jonathan must be wary of any future presidential ambitions backed by the same forces that brought him down in 2015. These political scumbags and criminals would produce nothing good or patriotic. A trial, on the other hand, would persuade him that he should not have tried in the first place.

For all intents and purposes, failure would put an end to his less-than-stellar political career. While his name conjures up images of ‘good’ and ‘luck,’ we wish Ebele of Otueke ‘bad’ luck if he decides to run for president with his Ijaw hat in the ring.

What matters more to us is the emergence of a hale and hearty President post-Buharism, one capable of healing the nation and putting an end to the bloodshed; one capable of redressing the country’s economic meltdown and social tensions.

Above all, that tried and true leader, sound in mind and heart, committed to the country’s restructuring for the benefit of all Nigerians! Greatness will come sooner than expected if the country is well-led from the top.

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As a result, tribe, region, and religion are unimportant. Sectional, regional, and religious politics (all of which Buharism excelled at) have nearly destroyed a beautiful country. After the Buharian retreat and retirement in Daura, whoever comes in must be elected and judged on their competence and patriotism. Not through the prisms of race or religion, either.

As the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship heats up, the Senator Sani Musa Advisory Council boasts that the serving Niger State senator will win the coveted position.

The advisory council’s optimism was based on the candidate’s acceptance by stakeholders both inside and outside the state, as well as his contribution to the development of his constituency.

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Senator Musa would also win the race, according to the council’s spokesman, Alhaji Bissala Babasule, who said in a statement made available to journalists in Minna yesterday that “he is a youth loved by the young and the old within and outside the party.”

“We are pressing ahead with our stakeholder mobilization to ensure Senator Musa’s total victory, and we will win because we have the support of other states, as well as the national leadership of our party at the legislative and executive levels.”

“At the end of the day, Doubting Thomas and doomsayers will be put to shame.” Our victory will undoubtedly result in significant social, economic, and political changes in our beloved state and Nigeria.

“It (Musa’s victory) will transform the country and hand over the country’s political leadership to the young people he represents.”

The aspirant has the full support of the APC’s Niger State Executive Council, according to Babasule, who added that when Musa presented his letter of intent to the party, the state chairman spoke highly of him.

“The event was like a carnival, and everyone who spoke glowingly about him and also threw their weight behind his aspiration,” he said, adding that “what other support does anyone need to clinch victory if the state party leadership is adamantly behind one of its own?”

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Babasule praised Musa’s achievements as a businessman and federal legislator in his Niger East senatorial zone, saying: “He (Musa) employed not less than 500 liaison officers from the 99 wards of the Niger East senatorial zone, and has embarked “on many projects in each of the nine local government areas of his constituency at personal costs because of his interest in the emancipation of his people and realization that everything should not be left to government.

Salihu Lukman, the Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, has written to governors to express his opposition to the party’s national convention being postponed.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Chairman, Governor Mai Buni, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, APC leader Bola Tinubu, and other All Progressives Congress chieftains were all copied on the memo to the PGF Chairman, Atiku Bagudu.

The DG’s communication, seen on Friday, referred the Governor of Kebbi to his open letter titled ‘Plausibility of February 2022 APC Convention’, which he wrote on January 3.

Lukman told the leaders that the party’s survival is at stake, noting that he highlighted reasons why the convention should not be shifted.

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Any attempt to continue to consider a postponement, according to the chieftain, is gambling with APC’s future.

He charged them to take decisive action to ensure that the CECPC, led by Yobe, faithfully implements all agreed-upon decisions.

According to Lukman, the public perception of Buni’s “reluctance” to hold the convention on February 5, 2022, is due to the Governors’ desire to maintain control of the party.

“Some members of the CECPC claim to be only shadow Caretakers, claiming that the real Caretakers are Governors. When things go wrong in the party, the Governors, particularly the Forum’s leadership, will suffer political consequences.

“What’s more concerning is the fact that we would have all succeeded, both leaders and members, in undermining President Muhammadu Buhari’s political credentials.”

“APC leaders should consider the consequences of squandering the party’s electoral prospects in 2023, such that, in addition to losing the Federal Government, self-incriminating legal challenges are filed against the party to weaken it simply because of HE Buni and Secretary, John James Akpan Udoedehe’s actions or inactions.”

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“According to some media reports, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu’s Reconciliation Committee’s work will determine whether the Convention will take place in February or not.

“Sen. Adamu has stated that by the end of January 2022, they will have completed their work and reconciled those who can be reconciled.” It should be stated that there will always be leadership conflicts as long as the party exists.”

Anyone who suggests that reconciliation should determine whether the February Convention will take place or not, according to Lukman, is simply trying to prevent it from taking place.

“Given all the warning signs about the CECPC’s potential mobility,” he said, “it is imperative that we take steps to protect Governors, Forum, your leadership, and, more importantly, to prevent any attempt to sabotage President Buhari and party leaders.”

“Based on objective assessments of reales of poor management of the party under the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee (NWC), President Buhari, the majority of Governors, and party leaders supported both the dissolution of the NWC and the emergence of the CECPC.”

“As Chairman of the Forum, you had to undertake extremely difficult internal initiatives to bring Governors and party leaders together. Based on your leadership ability to ensure that all Governors are united to support the work of the CECPC, you were able to earn the trust of President Buhari and party leaders.”

Buni and Udoedehe appear to be taking the Forum’s support for granted, according to Lukman, to the point of working to sabotage the APC convention’s decision to be held based on the Forum’s recommendations.

“This is a very dangerous trend,” says the author. Some theories suggest that HE Buni’s ambition to manipulate his emergence as the party’s substantive National Chairman is one of the reasons for this. In an ideal world, there should be no problem with this if he can meet the legal requirements.

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“However, if this is true, the assumption that he will provide neutral leadership, which is required to ensure a level playing field, has been eroded.”

“Should it be confirmed that HE Buni is aspiring to be the substantive National Chairman, basic logic dictates that he be replaced as Chairman of the CECPC immediately.” This is bolstered by the fact that, as a serving Governor, he is ineligible to seek any position that the law only allows him to hold temporarily,” Lukman explained.

If the convention is to take place on February 5, 2022, a letter detailing the details, including the agenda and location, should be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by January 15, 2022, according to Lukman.

If there are problems, he says, the party leadership should bring them to the attention of superior organs so that an emergency meeting can be called to address them quickly.

If the CECPC fails to do so, Buni, Udoedehe, and the entire committee “should take the path of honor and honorably resign,” according to the DG.

“Given the experiences of the Comrade Oshiomhole-led NWC and now the HE Buni-led CECPC, there is a clear issue of political leadership recruitment challenges, which, if not addressed, will continue to erode the country’s capacity to produce competent political leaders.”

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“The APC, as a party envisioned to lead the country’s political transformation, can only produce the same results if it continues down this path of blind loyalty.” As we approach 2023, immediate action is required to ensure our party’s electoral survival.

“Continuing to freeze the party’s activities and expecting the CECPC, led by HE Buni, to discharge the responsibility of providing leadership to the party beyond February 5, 2022 is simply suicidal,” the letter stated.