- Parley May Endorse Osinbajo, Fayemi As South-West Frontline Materials
Barring any last minutes changes, there are indications that a high-level parley of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants from the South-West region of the country may throw its weight behind the candidature of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi as the frontline consensus presidential aspirants of the region.
The New Diplomat checks reveal that the parley may likely impress it upon former Lagos State Governor and one of the national leaders of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is also gunning for the party’s presidential ticket to weigh the option of shelving his ambition in order to retain his role as a kingmaker.
In this regard, multiple sources confided in The New Diplomat that the former Lagos State Governor, Tinubu, would be encouraged to throw his weight behind Osinbajo or Fayemi who are perceived to be flying high at the moment within the inner circles of the decision making power circuit.
Multiple sources further hinted that the position of those holding this vuewpoint is strengthened by recent events of the past few days which have seen the ex-governor reportedly making some costly Political errors which have further triggered backlash from the North, South East, South South and even from within the South West establishment.
According to insiders, these series of gaffe did not resonate well with many in the hierarchy of APC.
Notable among the issues which reportedly did not sit pretty well with many insiders in the APC hierarchy is his recent statement in Yoruba while addressing delegates of the party in Ogun State where he made remarks about being responsible for the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the president of the country.
The New Diplomat reports that in a bid to present a united front and possibly arrive at a consensus that will strengthen the South West position within the ongoing power tussle, the seven APC presidential aspirants from the South-West region of the country are expected to hold a final meeting in Abuja today (Saturday) to decide on the way forward.
The seven presidential aspirants from the South-West are Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; one of APC’s national leader, Bola Tinubu; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Ajayi Boroffice; a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; and fiery Lagos cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare.
Also expected at the meeting are governors; Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo). Some ministers of South-West extraction are also expected to attend the parley.
The meeting which would hold at the Abuja home of a former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, around 8 pm is expected to be presided over by Chief Bisi Akande and a respected Yoruba elder( name withheld).
One of the aspirants, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, “We will all be meeting at Chief Osoba’s home by 8 pm in Abuja. Everyone is expected to be present. We will all sit together and discuss the need to ensure that the South-West gets the ticket.
“However, all of us will be asked to be truthful with one another and see who among us has the best chance of winning the primary. Then if anyone is willing to step down to boost the chances of the South-West, then this will be encouraged.”
Intense lobbying by various powerful political groups including some high-profile northern governors to ensure that the APC hands over its presidential ticket to a northerner on grounds of large voting strength and population dynamics had reportedly unsettled the South-West political bloc within the APC, who fear that if they don’t close ranks, things could fall apart for the SouthWest.
Recall that a similar meeting was held last month at the Lagos Flag House, Marina, Lagos.
