Politics

Tinubu’s Cabinet: In-fighting As APC Leaders Jostle For Ministerial Slots

Published

11 months ago

June 19, 2023

The agitation for ministerial slots has led to in-fighting in some state chapters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as governors, former governors and party leaders are battling to ensure they present slots to President Bola Tinubu.

It was gathered that apart from APC stakeholders who argue that they worked for the president during the February 25 presidential election, some leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, among other parties, are also said to be jostling to make the ministerial list.

President may send list to Senate after July 4

By law, Tinubu must name his cabinet within 60 days after taking the oath of office on May 29 and transmit it to the Senate for confirmation.

Multiple sources disclosed that the President is expected to send the list of the nominees to the Senate when it resumes plenary on July 4.

In-fighting in APC

In Osun, the decision by the APC in the state to sanction the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and a former speaker may not be unconnected with Osun ministerial slots.

Aregbesola and immediate past governor of the state, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, have been in a frosty relationship over the former’s alleged moves to scuttle Oyetola’s re-election chances during the 2022 election.

The APC in Osun State has decided “to deal with members involved in anti-party during the last governorship and general election in the state,” the party said in a statement.

Similarly, former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Ganduje is at loggerheads with the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso.

In Oyo State, APC members are said not to be comfortable with Governor Seyi Makinde’s romance with President Tinubu.

APC leaders kick against strangers

One of the arguments put forward by APC leaders and members is that only “genuine APC members should be appointed.”

They argued that in the last dispensation, strangers benefited from their contributions to the party.

Tinubu’s special advisers

Last week, President Tinubu approved the appointment of Mr. Dele Alake as Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy; and Mr Nuhu Ribadu, as Special Adviser, Security.

A statement by the Director of Information, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, stated that other persons appointed are Mr. Yau Darazo, Special Adviser, Political and Intergovernmental Affairs; Mr. Wale Edun, Special Adviser, Monetary Policies; and Mrs. Olu Verheijen Special Adviser, Energy.

Zacchaeus Adedeji was appointed Special Adviser, Revenue, Mr. John Uwajumogu, Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment and Mrs Salma Anas, Special Adviser, Health.

Jostle for ministerial slots

Following the appointment of special advisers, Vanguard gathered that lobbyists have been sending resumes (CVs) of prospective candidates to the Presidency, which are being collected for screening.

Despite the lobby by governors, former governors and leaders across party lines, multiple sources said President Tinubu has not disclosed those likely to make his cabinet.

Sources also informed Vanguard that close aides of the President do not have any idea of those likely to be in the cabinet.

Lobbyists besiege Aso Rock

A close ally to a former governor said: “I know they are collecting CVs of ministerial nominees. You know the Senate has gone on recess and adjourned sitting to July 4 and as they’re resuming, they will commence work on screening of ministerial nominees. For now, no name has been mentioned.”

Another source told Vanguard that with the president keeping the list close to his chest, party leaders had been left guessing.

The source said: “The president has not disclosed the ministerial nominees. Even those said to be close to the president have no idea of those likely to make the list.

‘’I am sure the list is ready and unofficially, the President may have given it to the Senate President.”

Tinubu not bothered about in-fighting—Source

Vanguard was further told that the jostling for ministerial slots has led to a crack in some of the APC state chapters.

Giving insight into the in-fighting in the APC, a source said: “The fight has been on and they are still fighting. I was informed that the President has refused to listen to those fighting themselves.”

Special Advisers may supervise ministers

Another source also hinted that the president may likely give more powers to the special advisers, while ministers would just be ceremonial heads.

He said: “From what I know, those who will work with the President are the 20 special advisers and they will be powerful. They are likely going to be the cabal.

‘’The in-fighting within the APC is serious. Some people are pushing former Kano governor, Umar Ganduje but Tinubu has aligned with the Presidential candidate of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso.

“Unfortunately, Ganduje has lost Kano State and is no longer relevant. Kwakwanso may likely be made defence minister.”

Government of National Unity

Speaking on the prospect of the President forming a Government of National Unity, GNU, the source said Tinubu intended to bring everyone on board after the election petition tribunal.

He said: “Tinubu is likely to form a Government of National Unity and it will be across the board. For now, the president wants to settle down and sort out the court cases.”

VANGUARD

Politics

Atiku Hints On Supporting Obi For 2027 Presidential Race

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that if in 2027, the party decides that it is the South-East’s turn and selects Peter Obi as its candidate, he will readily offer his support.

“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” Atiku declared in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.

He added that a merger between the PDP and Labour Party is possible.

Atiku added that members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

The former Vice President mentioned that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Responding to questions about the meeting with Obi, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

On whether this will bring about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”

The former Vice President, who denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

On why he’s still in active politics, Atiku said, “Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

“It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

“My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”

Regarding his 2027 Presidential ambition, the former Vice President said “That would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

“Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

“It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.”

Last week, Obi held a private meeting with Atiku and some other PDP leaders in Abuja.

Obi also met separately with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, sparking speculation about a possible coalition for the 2027 general elections.

Obi was a PDP member until 2022, when he left to pursue his presidential ambitions with the Labour Party.

He finished third behind Atiku in the February 23 presidential election, which was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

Atiku blamed Obi’s departure from the PDP for his loss to Tinubu.

Analysts argued that Atiku’s 6,984,520 votes combined with Obi’s 6,101,533 votes could have secured a win against Tinubu, who received 8,794,726 votes.

Monday’s meeting marked the first public interaction between Obi and Atiku since the election.

Social media and online platforms were flooded with viral photos of Obi’s meetings with the three PDP figures on Monday.

In 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together on the PDP ticket but were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

However, due to internal conflicts, Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019, left the PDP and ran as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Politics

JUST IN: Ex-PDP Deputy National Chair, Oyedokun Defects To APC

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, has resigned his membership of the party and announced defection to the All Progressives Congress.

Oyedokun, a notable personality within the political circle in Osun State and beyond, said he decided to dump the PDP after consultation with his loyalists.

He said he would be joining APC, where his experience, efforts, and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.

His resignation letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP through the ward, local government and state chairmen of the party obtained late Thursday further read, “As a functional member and leader of PDP (Ward 13, Jagun/ Osi-Bale Ode, Odo-Otin South Local Government, Osun State,) whose high electoral productivity and value have been credibly and positively acknowledged in my ward, across the local council, state and country-wide for the enhancement of the fortune of the PDP, I have the honour (though with pain) in announcing the renunciation of my membership of the party on principle, having observed that the ideals of we, founding members, had been sorely contaminated.

“In taking this step which is not even without due consultation with my teaming loyalists in the PDP, I have consequently decided to shift my allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where I believe my experience, efforts and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.”

Oyedokun’s defection to the APC is coming at the time the aspirant he supported during the 2022 Osun governorship primary of PDP, Mr Dotun Babayemi is also moving to the national ruling party.

Osun APC said on Wednesday that Babayemi and his supporters would be dumping PDP and joining the party at a rally scheduled to be held in Osogbo on Friday.
PUNCH

Politics

Poll: APC Has No Sellable Candidate, Nothing To Campaign On – Edo Govt

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Government claimed on Monday that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has no credible candidate for the September 21 governorship election.

This was an assertion made by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, at a press conference in Benin City.

Nehikhare also alleged that the party is using lies and propaganda as its campaign strategy.

According to him: “The only APC strategy for the governorship election is to resort to lies and propaganda. When a party takes lies and propaganda as an election strategy, it means it has nothing to offer the people. The party lacks people with character, capacity, and intellect.”

The commissioner who took journalists through a screened shot WhatsApp chat said: “What we have here is the official APC WhatsApp platform, their own people screenshot their discussion. One of them who has a conscience asks, is this the only thing we have?”

Nehikhare, who said APC is ashamed to campaign for its candidate, noted that, as of today, nobody had heard of what the party has for the state.

“All we heard is how they are going to help their paymaster, lies and propaganda that will not help the state,” he added.

He opined that lies and propaganda are not strategies the opposition party, like APC, can use to win the September 21 governorship election.

The commissioner, who warned against misinformation and fake news ahead of the governorship election, urged media practitioners to be neutral in matters concerning lies and propaganda.

He, however, noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration has a lot of achievements to market and sell its candidate for the election.