Anyway, for the purpose of equity, the All Progressives Congress has pruned its search for Buhari’s running mate to three incumbent governors and a former governor.
But the APC leaders are considering a candidate from Obasanjo who he believes can perform...
According to Punch, the leadership of the party has Governor Fashola; Governor Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of Governors Forum, Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, on its final list.
It was learnt that the APC governors had demanded that one of them should be picked as the running mate of Buhari, who emerged as the party’s presidential candidate on Thursday.
Oshiomhole and Amaechi made the list because some leaders of the APC feel that South-South should produce the vice-president in order to cut down the votes of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also from the geo-political zone.
Other party leaders are pushing for the South-West because of the massive support the zone gave to Buhari at the presidential primary. This group believes that the zone which has suffered so much marginalisation by the Jonathan-led Federal Government, should be rewarded for the sacrifices made towards building an alternative platform.
A top ranking member of the party, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that Buhari received block votes from South-West delegates during the party’s presidential primary.
The source said, “Buhari got almost 100 per cent of votes from the South-West; that is even more than what came from the North-West where he comes from because the delegates there were divided between Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso and him.
“You must agree that the four aspirants we have on the list showed uncommon sportsmanship and they have different strengths. It is going to be a tough decision for us to make on Monday. With the Edo State governor, we can get South-South votes and the labour movement. With Amaechi, we can also get South-South votes. Fashola is immensely popular but he is a Muslim and that is where Fayemi, a Christian comes in.”
Another source, who is a governor said Buhari now prefers a Christian as his deputy. His preference for such a person, it was further gathered, was aimed at erasing the notion that Buhari is a “religious fanatic.”
The governor said the South-West really wants the position. “The zone came to the merger with about five governors, many senators and members of the House of Representatives. They deserve to be considered for a top position in the APC if we form the government at the centre. Again, the zone is the most marginalised in the current dispensation. So, they deserve to be pampered,” he stressed.
He said it was true that Prof. Yemi Osibajo (SAN) was also considered from the South-West.
The governor said, “Osibajo is not only a strong member of the RCCG, he is a pastor there. He is also a right hand man of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who is well respected across the country and in the Christian community.
“So, those who are favourably disposed to him argued at the meetings we had in Lagos on Friday that his pairing with the former head of state would be beneficial to the party.”
The governor added that while Fashola seems to be the toast of many for the position, his religious background is working against him.
“Yes, he [Fashola] is seen as the most qualified for the position in the country, but we don’t want to play into the hands of our enemies who may now use the religion aspect to campaign against us. The country is in an unusual situation,” he added.
According to Punch, the leadership of the party has Governor Fashola; Governor Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of Governors Forum, Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, on its final list.
It was learnt that the APC governors had demanded that one of them should be picked as the running mate of Buhari, who emerged as the party’s presidential candidate on Thursday.
Oshiomhole and Amaechi made the list because some leaders of the APC feel that South-South should produce the vice-president in order to cut down the votes of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also from the geo-political zone.
Other party leaders are pushing for the South-West because of the massive support the zone gave to Buhari at the presidential primary. This group believes that the zone which has suffered so much marginalisation by the Jonathan-led Federal Government, should be rewarded for the sacrifices made towards building an alternative platform.
A top ranking member of the party, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that Buhari received block votes from South-West delegates during the party’s presidential primary.
The source said, “Buhari got almost 100 per cent of votes from the South-West; that is even more than what came from the North-West where he comes from because the delegates there were divided between Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso and him.
“You must agree that the four aspirants we have on the list showed uncommon sportsmanship and they have different strengths. It is going to be a tough decision for us to make on Monday. With the Edo State governor, we can get South-South votes and the labour movement. With Amaechi, we can also get South-South votes. Fashola is immensely popular but he is a Muslim and that is where Fayemi, a Christian comes in.”
Another source, who is a governor said Buhari now prefers a Christian as his deputy. His preference for such a person, it was further gathered, was aimed at erasing the notion that Buhari is a “religious fanatic.”
The governor said the South-West really wants the position. “The zone came to the merger with about five governors, many senators and members of the House of Representatives. They deserve to be considered for a top position in the APC if we form the government at the centre. Again, the zone is the most marginalised in the current dispensation. So, they deserve to be pampered,” he stressed.
He said it was true that Prof. Yemi Osibajo (SAN) was also considered from the South-West.
The governor said, “Osibajo is not only a strong member of the RCCG, he is a pastor there. He is also a right hand man of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who is well respected across the country and in the Christian community.
“So, those who are favourably disposed to him argued at the meetings we had in Lagos on Friday that his pairing with the former head of state would be beneficial to the party.”
The governor added that while Fashola seems to be the toast of many for the position, his religious background is working against him.
“Yes, he [Fashola] is seen as the most qualified for the position in the country, but we don’t want to play into the hands of our enemies who may now use the religion aspect to campaign against us. The country is in an unusual situation,” he added.
Obasanjo's candidate is from Osun State. Will APC pick Osibajo, Fashola, Oshiomhole, Amaechi?
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