By Madu Onuorah
The power changers in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), otherwise called the Cabal, are yet to shortlist candidates for the Presidency in 2023 simply because they don’t see or have anyone from the Southern part of the country who fancy their taste.
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) gathered that despite the hullabaloo about which of the geo-political zone in the South that power should go to in 2023, the “real” decision makers in the ruling party are yet to agree on the general or particular person the pendulum should swing to.
GUN source said that not even one of those fronting for the position now, including the former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, have caught the eyes of the Cabal who are worried at the dearth of persons of their desire.
Our source said that even though some persons within the group are disposed to power going to the South, they do not feel that the people showing interest right now meet the needed requirement for the job.
GUN learnt that even in the North, the party is yet to pin down at any credible national character who can be acceptable across the country.
“There is a gulf gap between President Muhammadu Buhari’s personality and others aspiring for this job from the North in this party. All strong politicians in the North are in the opposition.
“You cannot compare Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai; former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima; Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, former Governor of Sokoto State; Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe) with the likes of Ahmad Makarfi, former Governor of Kaduna State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State; Sule Lamido of Jigawa State or Dr Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.
“Even in the South where only Tinubu is standing out with his money and all the controversies around him, the opposition party has formidable names from all the three regions of the South.”
They are also worried about the national political weight, acceptability and electability of the likes of Ministers of Science and Technology (Ogbonnaya Onu), Transport (Rotimi Amaechi), Labour and Productivity (Chris Ngige) and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
A dependable source told the GUN that a major realignment of forces is likely to occur ahead of the 2023 general elections with interests likely to collapse within one of the two leading political parties.
“Yes, major political movement will take place that will shock the polity, all intended to protect the interest of the Cabals in particular and the North in general, is coming. Not until these realignments have taken place can anybody begin to pinpoint at certain names and regions for the production of the Presidency in 2023.”
GUN learnt that the National Convention of APC, which was earlier scheduled before the end of year, may be shifted so give way for the realignments to happen before determining the zoning arrangement for the party ahead of 2023.
