APC Govs propose 5 Southerners, after quelling Adam’s palace coup
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors have finally quelled the palace coup staged by Abdullahi Adamu and have fully taken charge of today’s presidential primary, listing only five Southern aspirants to go head to head for the prized ticket.
Those the Governors proposed to participate are:
- Yemi Osinbajo – Vice President (South West)
- Kayode Fayemi – Ekiti Governor (South West)
- Dave Umahi – Ebonyi Governor (South East)
- Bola Tinubu – former Lagos Governor (South West)
- Rotimi Amaechi – former Transportation Minister (South South)
They were selected from the crowded field of 21 aspirants.
Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman and Plateau Governor Simon Lalong who confirmed the proposal to journalists in Abuja this morning, said it is based on the reality on the ground and without bias and sentiments.
Yanked off is Senate President Ahmad Lawan (North East), whom Adamu falsely announced as the consensus candidate on Monday, a claim swiftly dismissed as an unacceptable personal agenda of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) Chairman.
Criticism of Adamu’s failed palace coup came from all quarters of the APC hierarchy, including President Muhammadu Buhari (who denied having anointed any aspirant as Adamu suggested), APC Governors, and other NWC members.
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Buhari asks Governors to produce a shortlist
Lalong explained that Buhari asked the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), which comprises all 22 APC Governors North and South, to reduce the number of aspirants and submit their names to the party, according to reporting by The Nation.
He said the names of the five proposed by the PGF are listed in alphabetical order and they have been advised to discuss among themselves and agree on one candidate.
The proposal is not a decision but a suggestion, he clarified.
It is expected that other aspirants would embrace the proposal to prevent any controversy arising over exclusion, which may lead to post-primary litigation.
Lalong said the long list of aspirants conveyed a crowded race that may unleash tension.
He dismissed reports of a consensus aspirant from the North, insisting that the Governors are committed to zoning the presidential ticket to the South.