Ahead of the May 30 Presidential primary of Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, frontline presidential runners like Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former President of the Senate Ken Nnamani and a former running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari, Pastor Tunde Bakare picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination presidential forms.
Ken Nnamani and Tunde Bakare were at the International Conference Centre in Abuja to pick up their forms, while Rotimi Amaechi and Professor Yemi Osinbajo sent in representatives.
VP OSINBAJO’S SUPPORT GROUP’S REMARK
The Chairman of the umbrella body of Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s support groups, The Progressives Project TPP, Senator Kabiru Gaya, while speaking to journalists after picking the form, said politics was a game of giving and take. Therefore, the presidency should go to the Southern party of the country.
“I believe it is a game of giving and take. We have served the presidency for eight years under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari; therefore, the presidency should go to the South.
“We believe the best person to handle this matter is somebody who has been in the system. If he’s sworn in today at the Eagles square, by tomorrow morning, he can pick up because he’s already in the system.
“I was a governor, so I know what it takes when you are sworn in.
“It takes time for you to learn and move forward. But when you are in the system, you don’t have that problem. Instead, there will be an improvement and a well-drawn plan for peace, stability and a better economy.
“The candidate will improve on the new plan to develop the economy for a better Nigeria,” Gaya said.
Senator Gaya added that Vice President Osinbajo would abide by any mode of primary that the party chooses.
Despite the calibre and the high number of presidential aspirants in APC, Senator Gaya expressed confidence that the Vice President would be the chosen candidate.
MR BAKARE’S FOUR PILLAR AGENDA
Mr Bakare, on his part, said his agenda for Nigeria is premised on four pillars, which include peace, prosperity, progress and possibilities.
He said on those four pillars, Nigeria would be rebuilt, and he would rekindle the hope of many citizens, adding: “We are all going to join hands to make it happen. No other nation will fix our nation, it will take Nigerians from all works of life, within and without, and those in the diaspora to join hands together to build our nation.”
Also addressing the growing numbers of southern aspirants, he said God rules in the affairs of men, and he gives power to whoever He pleases.
“A southerner is a Nigerian; a northerner is a Nigerian. We trust God that the best, the fittest and the most competent will emerge and the one who truly loves our people especially. Also, the poor will rise to fix our nation.
“Many people run in a race, but only one person will wear the crown. There is only one seat; whoever wins, the rest of us must rise to support him to rebuild Nigeria, East, West, North or South; Nigeria is our country,” Bakare said.
E/Suzan O.
