The preps towards the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria appear at the verge of uncovering its share of political charades as stakeholders and/or players within the electoral power scheme find themselves in bed with strange partners cloaked in the garb of blackmail and despair.
Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan may have opened discussions with his political adversaries against the upcoming landmark presidential elections of 2015. Particularly, the President is reported to have sought the attention of the former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal – for a closed door discussion over the way forward come 2015.
Competent sources within the Abuja power corridors point to a recent meeting between the former president of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan – as having added an ‘over-the-top’ pressure against President Jonathan over his ambition to contest for the president seat in 2015. Available information indicates that the former president had implored the President to stand by his earlier promise to Nigerians – and stand down – and to avoid the continued security breakdown in the nation. The former president was reported to have made it clear to President Jonathan that his support will go elsewhere if he decides to mount the campaign trail for 2015. Former President Obasanjo warned the President of the possible and/or probable threat posed by the merger deal currently under works between the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC], All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] and Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] – as the major threat facing the PDP against the presidential polls of 2015. The former President demanded for a new path to be charted if the PDP is to continue its hold over the presidency in 2015.
Our source indicated that the former President impressed on the President that the country was presently not administered satisfactorily, that corrupt practices within the top ranking members of the cabinet has gone uncontrolled.
The private talk with the former President and a one-time political godfather to Mr. President is reported to have come amidst a brewing pressure coming from the northern political block and the governor’s forum – who had expressed their discomfort with the autocratic handling of the National party, the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].
Of which, President Jonathan’s body language showed the governor’s expression of discomfort fell on deaf ears. The governor’s forum had been lobbying against the continued stay of Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the PDP. To this respect, the PDP governors opted to starve the party of funds and other pertinent resources – in addition to other subtle activities that have clearly shown their disapproval of Bamanga Tukur – such as boycotting en-mass nearly all events organized by the National Chairman.
Trouble facing President’s Jonathan’s 2015 aspiration stretch beyond his issues with the PDP Governor’s or the northern political block – Alhaji Abubakar Atiku’s interest to join the Presidential race under the banner of the PDP poses a potent quagmire for the President. It threatens a possible internal discord within the PDP if Atiku fails to secure the presidential ticket. It is recalled the promises made by Atiku following his unsuccessful attempt to secure the presidential ticket under the PDP in 2011. Similar actions are feared this time around should Atiku fail again.
Against his aides’ advice, Mr. President sought audience with both men. President Jonathan intention was to impress on both men of his willingness to discuss 2015 presidential poll and the possible chance of his backing out of the race – and to possibly support either one of them [Tambuwal or Atiku]. Information available to 247ureports.com confirms that Mr. President did discuss with the former vice president, Atiku in the first week of October 2012 – where Mr. President hinted his willingness to forego the 2015 aspiration in return for Atiku’s support.
The details of what transpired between the President and the former vice president is not completely known but competent sources near the former vice president revealed that the President did open the talks of foregoing his 2015 aspiration. It was also gathered that Atiku took Jonathan’s offer with a pinch of salt. According to the source, Atiku does not trust President Jonathan – and that many things can happen between now and the electioneering period. The source reveals further that Atiku, as a sign of good faith on the part of Mr. President, asked Jonathan to lobby for either Ken Nnamani or Alex Ekwueme to become the new BOT Chairman of the PDP. It is uncertain if Mr. President agreed.
Another competent source close to Atiku confirms that discussions between Atiku and Jonathan had taken place – where the President had requested for Atiku support in return for the PDP presidential ticket. But the source also noted that Atiku remain apprehensive. Nonetheless, the source revealed that the Atiku camp took the decision to stop major criticism of the Jonathan administration – until further notice.
Meanwhile, the caliphate in Sokoto State – who has become aware of the subtle moves by the President to placate the northern political block – has moved to impress on Mr. President of their preferred choice – Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the house of representative. Hon. Tambuwal is from Sokoto and is the favorite of the Sultan of Sokoto.
Stay tuned
