EXCLUSIVE: APC chieftains who want to unseat Buhari in 2019

By Ishaya Ibrahim

Acting News Editor

At least five senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have indicated interest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, party officials have told TheNiche.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal are among those to slug it out for the party’s presidential ticket.

The officials said Buhari might not seek re-election because of his ill-health and age. He has been in London since May 8 over an undisclosed medical condition.

Atiku, who has aspired for the presidency for the third consecutive run, has started off his fourth presidential campaign subtly with a subject that seats well with the people of the South – restructuring.

Although his age, now 70 may count against him, his network of friends, perceived by non-Muslims as liberal, seen to be friendly to private businesses and the promise of restructuring Nigeria might put him in a good stead with voters and power brokers.

Tinubu has a base of supporters in the South West but his candidacy might put the country on a turbulent part, analysts have said.

No other region has done two terms in Aso Rock except the South West since 1999. A Tinubu presidency might narrow the chances for the South East to produce a president. It can also put the north in another agitation bout. Tinubu is said to feel strongly about his ambition, but the politics of rotation might count against him, analysts have said.

Saraki has his eyes on Aso Rock, hoping that the Senate Presidency influence could get him the prize. He has beaten the record of his predecessors – passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), making public the budget of the National Assembly and exposing corrupt practices in the presidency.

But his major obstacles are: corruption allegations against him and ethnic concerns. He is not from the popular Hausa/Fulani ethnic stock.

Kwankwaso and Tambuwal are oiling their guns. Regional and ethnic considerations favour their ambition. Their major obstacle appears to be Atiku who enjoys more support from the South than any northern politician.