Confirm News findings revealed the speculation that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may emerge by consensus arrangement at the prodding of President Muhammadu Buhari is creating chaos in the ruling party at the federal level, this is authoritative.
Whereas the camps of some presidential aspirants of the party embraced the consensus option, the camps of others, notably that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are opposed to the alleged plan.
Buhari had hinted of his wish to have his potential successor from the party picked by consensus when he addressed governors of the APC last week.
The President had said at the occasion: “In a few days, the party will be holding its Convention during which primaries would take place to pick the presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general elections.
“This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture, as well as leadership.
“As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community. Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence, even before the elections.
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“In keeping with the established internal policies of the party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, “I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
“I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention. This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors is effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger”.
Besides Tinubu, 22 other party stalwarts are jostling to pick the APC ticket for the presidential election scheduled to hold in February 2023.
They include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahman Lawan, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, immediate past Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, immediate past Minister of Science and Technology and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu.
Others include a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole and former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.
All the 23 aspirants faced screening by a committee headed by a former National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, last week.
Submitting the committee’s report to the national leadership of the party on Friday, Odigie-Oyegun said 10 of the aspirants failed the screening.
