By Baron Ike
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Monday, October 30 declined to discuss the much talked about re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, telling reporters not to discuss that with him.
Tinubu spoke in an interview with State House correspondents shortly after meeting behind closed doors with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu was in Aso Rock to see Buhari on a one on one meeting ahead of the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Buhari and Tinubu laughed out after their meeting and pretended all is well, a sharp contrast from the reality and what most Nigerians think about 2019.
When Tinubu was asked whether he agrees with different groups and individuals calling on Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, Tinubu responded: “Don’t discuss that one with me.”
Said Tinubu: “I will not discuss the issue of the President’s re-election with you. I have a fruitful discussions with the President. No, I am not sidelined by any cabal. We worked hard to bring about this government, but there may be twists and turn of events.
“Still we have confidence in the President and I don’t need to babysit him. You know I don’t shy away from talking and I can rebel to take charge of things but there is no need for that. The President is listening. The cry about cabal is a fake news. It’s a myth…”
Tinubu is believed to be interested in running for the Presidency in 2019, with those close to him saying the former governor of Lagos State had told his close associates that he is tired of “making kings and now wants to be king himself.”
One of Tinubu’s trusted associates, Bisi Akande, recently stirred the hornet’s nest when he said anyone interested in running for the highest office of the nation in 2019 on the platform of the APC was free to do so. Political watchers interpreted Akande’s statement to be in line with Tinubu’s aspiration.
Dele Momodu, the Publisher of Ovation magazine also recently said Tinubu is in the race for 2019.
The APC leadership said Akande was speaking his personal opinion and the minds of the South West APC leaders.
Sources said the Asiwaju of Yorubaland has not been happy with the Presidency and had complained overtly that Buhari has sidelined him despite his contribution to the success of the APC in the run up to the 2015 election.
But some northern politicians like Junaid Mohammed have replied the South West politician, saying the North can win the Presidency in 2019 without the West. Their target is believed to be Tinubu.
During a recent interview on Channels Television, the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima said the North will queue behind Buhari if he decides to take another shot at the presidency in 2019. He said the North are yet to see any credible and better candidate like Buhari within the APC and outside.
The APC’s NEC was meeting after many years of inactivity from the highest decision making organ of the party due to personal differences and ambition.
The meeting was expected to be explosive and take a hard look at the things that have tended to tear APC apart.
Horse trading at the NEC meeting will include the likely retention of the current National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun who, for sometime now, has not been enjoying the support of Tinubu and his associates.
The former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiohole is believed to be positioned to pull the rug off the legs of Oyegun.
Analysts say Buhari may trade in Oyegun in an attempt to satisfy Tinubu and retain his support for a second term.
Other APC chieftains interested in running for the Presidency include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwazo, and possibly Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Buhari, Tinubu Meeting Raises More Posers On 2019
