The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has announced Senate President Ahmed Lawan, as the party’s consensus candidate. ayokinews.com reports
Adamu confirmed Lawan’s selection during a meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja.
According to sources, some members of the NWC objected to the move, insisting that other presidential aspirants such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Engr. David Umahi be allowed to run in the primary election at tomorrow’s convention in Eagle Square, Abuja.
Adamu’s endorsement of Lawan as a consensus candidate goes against the wishes of 11 APC northern governors, who believe power should be transferred to the south once President Muhammadu Buhari’s term ends.
Adamu informed the NWC that he chose Lawan after consulting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some APC northern governors rushed to Aso Villa in response to the decision, where they are now meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
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This comes barely one day before the commencement of the party’s convention, which will decide the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
Although, President Buhari has maintained his position on the consensus accord, but the 23 presidential candidates are yet to reach an agreement on the decision.
The meeting with the Northern APC governors is his fourth attempt to guarantee that the party offers a consensus candidate in order to avoid acrimony at the convention’s conclusion.
Among those present in the meeting are Atiku Bagudu, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Simeon Lalong, Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Baduru, Governor of Jigawa State, and Babagana Zulum, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Borno State.
Others are Aminu Bello Masari; Governor of Katsina State; Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa; Bello Matawale, Governor of Zamfara; Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna; Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano; Yahaya Inuwa, Governor of Gombe; Abubakar Bello, Governor of Niger, and the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.
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