Expressions of interest and nomination papers for the presidency are being accepted on the ruling All Progressives Congress’s (APC) platform till next week.
According to sources, Lawan had planned to storm the APC National Secretariat yesterday (Wednesday) for the purchase of forms and subsequent declaration, but had to postpone it until next week due to his ongoing consultations with the Presidency, Northern and Southern leaders, Traditional rulers, retired Generals, Clergymen, the organized business sector, the Ulamas, Politicians, and others
According to sources, the ruling APC has also finalized measures to extend the deadline for the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to next year in order to give aspirants more time to purchase the forms.
Recall that the party had set a charge of N30 million for expressions of interest and N70 million for nomination forms, with the sale of the forms set to end on Friday, May 6 this year, according to the party’s schedule.
The latest permutation for Lawan to emerge as the APC candidate and ensure that the North wins 2023 to occupy the seat of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second term will expire on May 29, next year, is that if the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gives its presidential ticket to either former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from Adamawa State in the North-East geo-political zone or Mohammed Hayatu-Deen from Borno State, also in the North East, then Lawan.
Sources say with pressure on the Presidency over Lawan’s plans, the President is thought to be working towards that position by associating with the Senate President.
A Senator from the North and a strong ally of Lawan said, ” you will see the calibre of people from every part of the country that will pick the forms for Lawan, he is going to be the next President of the country that will do well for the country.”
When asked about former Senate Leader Senator Ali Ndume’s position that it would be unfair, injustice, a betrayal of trust, and a gentleman man agreement if the APC Zones the Presidency to the North, the Senator, who took a swipe at Ndume’s stance, said, ” Nigeria needs a President for Nigeria and Nigerians, not the issue of a Hausa President, Nigeria needs a Progressive President like Lawan.” Allow the electorate to decide.”
So far, the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; and Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio have picked the party forms after paying N100m each.
There is a female aspirant, Uju Kennedy who has also picked her forms after paying the sum of N30m as directed by the party.
Other aspirants who have declared interest to contest for the most exalted position in the country are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; a former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; a former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who declared yesterday.
Also in the race are the Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar who declared yesterday; Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Ihechukwu Dallas Chima, Usman Iwu, Ben Ayade, Rotimi Amaechi, Mr Tein Jack-Rich and Adamu Garba, among others.
