The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, which began yesterday, Wednesday, December 10, ends today after the party’s standard bearer must have emerged.
Eight thousand (8,000) delegates began voting Wednesday at about 9pm inside the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, directly opposite the near-obsolete National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Before the voting, Muhammadu Buhari, one of the strong contenders and part-founder of the party, had at a meeting with the governors on the party platform, pleaded for their support. He was said to have also promised delegates that unlike his old self as maximum military ruler, he would not this time rule the country, but govern it.
Buhari, in his address to the over 8,000 delegates at the venue, said: “I do not intend to rule Nigeria. I want to democratically govern it with your help. I seek a Nigeria where Christians and Muslims may practise their faith in peace and security; a Nigeria that is just and where corruption no longer trespasses into our institutions and national behaviour and a Nigeria where our diversity could be used for our national prosperity.”
Buhari further said, “as you gather for our convention, please remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are there with you. They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience. I also ask you to do the same.”
He further said that he was not driven by personal ambition but sought to be the next president because of his belief that he had something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises.
He pointed to insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse, saying the time had long past to lift Nigeria up.
“I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability. I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public life. Thus, I am not a rich person.
“I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale. What I will give you and this nation is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all.”
BusinessDay gathered that the governors who agreed to support Buhari are Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).
The meeting was said to have been convened at the instance of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a national leader of the party.
At a meeting that went into the wee hours of Wednesday, 12 APC governors reached a final agreement to pitch their tent with Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state, but Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, is reaching out directly to the delegates.
At the meeting, Buhari was said to have been assured by the governors that they would rally their delegates for him.
At the meeting, held at Bola Tinubu’s instance at an office on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the governors who agreed to support Buhari are: Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).
It was also gathered that before the voting commenced, three of the aspirants- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo), and Sam Nda-Isaiah were approached to step down for Buhari.
It was learnt that Atiku Abubakar, one of the strongest contenders, decided to woo delegates from 16 states which he considered winnable. The states include Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Jigawa, Taraba, Yobe, Delta, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti and Ondo – as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Zebulon Agomuo & Joshua Bassey
