Suspense, As APC Names Buhari’s Running Mate Monday

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will Monday announce the running mate for its Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

 

Sources say the party will make the name public Monday to ease ongoing tension and mis-information in the public over the running mate to Buhari but the decision to nominate is that of Tinubu only, the source added.

Already various interests within the party are jostling for the single slot even as Buhari reportedly asked the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to make the choice.

There were reports at the weekend that Buhari had hit a roadblock in his efforts to use Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi as his running mate for the 2015 election.

Buhari during the meeting indicated his preference for Amaechi as his running mate but the meeting met stiff resistance from Tinubu who vowed never to allow an Amaechi candidacy.

The moves to drop Amaechi as running mate is said to have worried the Equity partners of the APC merger – meaning the five governors who in November last year defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC, using as a platform the New PDP. Amaechi is the only one in the Equity camp known to be interested in becoming vice presidential running mate. He was shortlisted alongside Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and former Lagos Attorney-General, Prof. Yemi Osibajo.

Amaechi, who was the de facto Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organistation during the presidential primary of the party, ensured Rivers State vote for Buhari, just like former Bayelsa State governor, Timipreye Sylva, did with Bayelsa.