Encomium
National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed has laid to rest the speculation that former head of state, Gen. Muhammed Buhari (rtd) has been given the party’s ticket to run for the country’s number one seat in the 2015 presidential elections. He added that the idea is not in conformity with the party’s rules and regulations.
Speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly, on Sunday, September 21, 2014, the Oro, Kwara born politician expressed bitterness about the rumour. He therefore, urged the public to disregard it outrightly as there is no iota of truth in it.
“There is nothing like automatic ticket in APC. It’s absolute false. That’s not in accordance with our party’s rules and regulations. Securing a ticket for any political office depends on the outcome of primary election. So, it’s a baseless rumour that Gen. Buhari has been handed the party’s presidential ticket.”
Meanwhile, Buhari’s campaign posters have flooded major cities in Nigeria, including Abuja and Lagos, fueling the speculation that the ex-military dictator has been endorsed by his party as consensus candidate for the 2015 presidential election.
However, former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has made his intension known to vie for the ticket. The Turaki Adamawa was reported by one of the dailies, a couple of days back that he won’t give up on his ambition to rule the country.
Atiku, who defected to APC, was said to have insisted to run for the party’s presidential ticket, and will not be discouraged come what may. He was quoted to have said, “How can I be discouraged about my about my ambition to run for the presidency in 2015. It’s like telling me to give up on Nigeria. I don’t have any other place to go.”
With the scenario in APC, it’s going to be a very tough battle between Buhari and Atiku if the two political gladiators are offered a chance to fight for the ticket.
A political pundit disclosed to ENCOMIUM Weekly that based on credibility, Buhari may carry the day. But if the party primary involves political savvy, Atiku may win the heart of the delegates during the primary election which comes up in a couple of weeks.
“Although, Buhari’s posters are everywhere now, that does not mean there won’t be primary in APC. The only thing is that everybody among the party hierarchy would love Buhari to represent the party in the next presidential election because of his antecedents. He has the charisma to rule and majority of northerners will want him as the next president. But he doesn’t have the resources to back-up his ambition. And you know Nigerians, they will always go for the highest bidder.
So, if Atiku Abubakar is truly involved in the race, it will be very difficult for Buhari to get the ticket.”
-TADE ASIFAT
