Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All (APC), is “working on an alternative party” to run for President in 2023.
According to a source Tinubu’s camp is not putting all of its eggs in All Progressives Congress basket in order to avoid being caught off guard by an “unfavorable outcome” of the APC primary.
President Muhammadu Buhari is thought to be looking for a “younger person” to succeed him.
In January, he declined to declare his preference, claiming that the individual might be assassinated.
Insiders in Ekiti said over the weekend that Tinubu intends to test the waters with a governorship poll on June 18, 2022.
The ex-Lagos Governor’s ambition “does not have the complete backing” of Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is also apparently interested in the presidency.
Tinubu, who is well aware of this, is “tactically aligning” with Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti and Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer.
Fayemi’s ally, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Biodun Oyebanji, won the APC ticket after defeating Ojo Kayode, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Dayo Adeyeye.
The estimate is that with Oyebanji, 54, as Governor, the state administration and party chapter may be unwilling to work for Tinubu’s election as President.
Borgu’s Jagaban is determined to prevent Fayemi from installing a successor not only for declining to support his bid but also for daring to enter the presidential campaign.
“The President wants a younger person and that’s not. Fayemi wants to be President if the office is zoned to the South”, a source said.
“If he fails, he may get the SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation) position as long as the next President or Vice are not from South-West.
“Tinubu is monitoring all that’s happening and he seems to have pitched his tent with the SDP. The truth is that civil servants like Oni are ready to vote for him.
“With his cold war with Fayemi and Oni’s popularity, Tinubu has developed a soft spot for the SDP. And this isn’t just about Ekiti election, he may contest on the platform if APC denies him a ticket.”
It was gathered that Oni’s running mate, Otunba Ladi Owolabi was picked after consultations with Tinubu’s camp. Oni, 67, is from Ifaki while Owolabi, 68, is an Ado Ekiti indigene.
During Tinubu’s visit to Ekiti monarchs a fortnight ago, the state government allegedly frustrated the use of the Adetiloye Hall.
“The authorities stopped the use of the venue because Fayemi isn’t working for his political leader’s ambition. In fact, by the time Tinubu landed, Fayemi left the state via helicopter.
“They said he had to be in Abuja. He could have briefly showed up at the parley with the Obas but didn’t want to be seen with Tinubu in such a gathering”, another source hinted.
The Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon is Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers. Fayemi hails from Isan.
The meeting was eventually held at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, where Tinubu decried “hopelessness, hunger and lack of development” in the land.
“We can not just be talking of airport alone in Ekiti, we should boast of good roads and better education system and better future for our children.
“We are here to answer the call of our forefathers to build a nation that will be united, prosperous and happily developed. I need your prayers to achieve this mandate.
“We are here to renew the hope of Nigeria and make the country better for our children. I have been on the issue of Nigeria since 70s. (MKO) Abiola was brought out by us, we fought for democracy”, he stated.
The late Abiola, a business mogul and philanthropist, won the 1993 presidential election. He contested on the platform of the SDP.