by Deji Abiodun
Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s Former Vice President and Bola Tinubu, Former Lagos State governor, met to discuss the formation of an inclusive government that would take care of the various political interests within the party especially in appointments.
Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress national leader, was said to have paid a private visit to Atiku, Nigeria’s former vice president, at his residence.
The All Progressives Congress chieftains met behind closed doors and the details of their conversation were not made public but an insider tells NewsWireNGR exclusively what transpired in the meeting..
According to our Source with knowledge of what transpired in the meeting said Tinubu has always had slots for Ministerial nominees and other openings as well as Atiku, both men had deals/agreements long before collapsing into the party.
When asked why Tinubu’s Vice Presidential nominee, Yemi Osinbajo wasn’t enough for the APC leader, the anonymous source said, “To be clear, the agreement by APC leaders reached with Jagaban was never restricted to only Osinbajo’s nomination”
He continued, “According to the original document, Tinubu wants to appoint the Petroleum Minister, the Finance Minister”.
The source said, “In all, Tinubu has over 8 slots, do not forget he led to the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party for Buhari, so you can’t just tell him to nominate VP and not give him more positions”.
Atiku and Tinubu are believed to have reached an agreement to ensure that all their nominees for cabinet positions must meet strict guidelines to complement the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
Another source from the APC, who pleaded for anonymity, disclosed the following:
“The party is run with a lot of consultations. So, it is not unusual that our leader met with another respected leader of our party privately. I do not have details of what was discussed but I have no doubt it is nothing less than how to move our dear nation forward.”
When Questioned on what the Former Vice President Atiku wants, the source who pleaded not to allow his name in prints as the details of the meeting was not for the media said, “Atiku is also lobbying for slots, to enable him appoint key officials for the Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency”.
He added, “This is politics and he (Atiku) wants his own men in this government, he is said to have more than 12 slots for leading the destruction of the PDP during the convention walkout where governors led by him collapsed the party”.
In the coming days the lists of Tinubu and Atiku’s Choice candidates will be published but we are reliably informed that Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state is included in Bola Tinubu’s lists of ministers to be appointed by Buhari.
Fayemi played a crucial role in drafting the policy documents by the party and he will be used to execute the document.
