The All Progressives Congress (APC) convention scheduled for February 26, top party officials, including governors and members of the executive, have limited the field of candidates for the party's chairperson position down to four from among the many who are competing for the position.
Credible sources told the Daily Trust that President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors are considering the recommendations of two former governors of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura and Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Saliu Mustapha, a former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC); and Abubakar Bawa Bwari, a former Minister for Mines and Steel Development, in order to choose the national chairman of the party.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who chairs the party's reconciliation committee, and Bwari, who served as a minister during President Muhammadu Buhari's first term, have not publicly shown an interest in running for president.
According to sources, a section of the presidency was examining them as potential successors to Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State and the party's interim chairman at the time.
A allegation that the party had zoned posts has been debunked by the party; yet, the four candidates that are being considered for the party's most prestigious position are all from the North Central geopolitical zone.
As reported by a reliable source close to the administration, the president's body language appears to be in favour of the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Al-Makura.
According to the source, "while it is impossible to read the president's mind on this," his body language indicated a preference for Al-Makura, who was the only governor appointed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
Moreover, it has been reported that Abdullahi Sule, Al-replacement Makura's in Nasarawa State, has gone out to several of his colleagues in order to garner their support for his predecessor's selection for the chairperson position.
In order to garner support for his candidacy, Governor Sule has reached out to several of his colleagues (governors)." In fact, you will recall that he began the campaign for him well before any other potential candidates expressed an interest," a senior lawmaker stated.
People opposed to him, on the other hand, have focused the attention of his supporters' attention to the issue of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His wife, Mairo, and he were guests of the EFCC on July 29, last year, when they visited the organisation.
It has been reported that certain governors are urging Senator Abdullahi Adamu to run for president of the United States.
The former Nasarawa governor, who currently serves as the chair of the APC's reconciliation committee, has expressed no interest in running for president.
Those who are pushing him claim that if given the opportunity, the ranking congressman will complete the reconciliation efforts that he has begun. They believe he has the ability to lead the party to victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Another faction of the party, on the other hand, was preparing Saliu Mustapha, a Kwara State native, to be the consensus candidate for chairmanship. "Mustapha does not have the baggage of the previous governors," according to those who are supporting him.
On the other hand, Friday night, the name of Abubakar Bawa Bwari, from Niger State, a former minister during Buhari's first tenure, was brought up as a possible candidate. He has not yet officially entered the race.
Among the other candidates for the chairmanship position are Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State; Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno; Isa Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi State; Senator George Akume (a former governor of Benue State); Sunny Moniedafe; and Mohammed Saidu Etsu, a former minister of special duties and inter-governmental affairs.
Meanwhile, Dr Sani Shinkafi, the most recent national chairmanship candidate, has stated that if he is elected at the convention, he will work to ensure that the party maintains its supremacy at all levels.
He made this statement on Wednesday during a press conference at the party's national secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria. He also committed to encourage and improve internal democracy inside the party, something he has done in the past.
According to two reliable sources last night, despite the horse-trading, President Muhammadu Buhari would play an important role in the appointment of the new chairman of the APC.
"The issue of consensus has been resolved," according to one of the sources. What we are waiting to find out is who will be the candidate. As was the case in 2018, Mr. President will be the one to provide the ultimate clearance. "The governors may make recommendations, but it is ultimately up to the president to approve them."
As reported by a second source, those close to the president are urging him to nominate one of the hopefuls from the now-defunct CPC, which was formed by him.