Gradually, the mega merger of the All Progressive Congress [APC] which saw a shocking victory at the presidential polls on March 28, 2015 – have begun exhibiting indications of internal cracks within the focal points of the mega merger. Information made available to 247ureports.com from sources within the APC in Abuja reveal that the struggle for the control of Buhari administration has begun and has taken the shape of an ethno-tribal conflict between the major operators of the political party.
Primarily, the fight for supremacy in the party between two select groups is said to have caused the latest stalemate within the APC – particularly amongst the grandfathers of the mega party who have vowed to remain significant in the selection of ‘juicy’ positions for the Buhari administration. Among the list of influencers believed to be auguring to influence the persons placed in the available positions is Bola Tinubu – he is considered the architect behind the formation of the APC and the brain behind the ‘selection’ of Buhari as its Presidential candidate.
Loading ...Prior to the APC presidential primaries, 247ureports.com had it on good authority that Bola Tinudu had reached an understanding with General Mohammadu Buhari over certain ministerial positions. Specifically, Bola Tinudu told Buhari that nine [9] ministerial positions will be reserved for him [Tinubu] as a precondition to his joining and wining the APC presidential primaries. Our source indicated that Buhari agreed and signed documents to that effect. The ministerial positions include – ministry of Justice, Petroleum, Works, Agriculture, FCT and others.
But the overwhelming northern votes garnered during the presidential polls appeared to alter the chemistry of the APC power structure. It immediately swung the power based of the Buhari victory from the root formulators of the APC to the numbers of votes garnered on the day of the election – which was overwhelming from the core north. The swing in the power structure has in effect – effected the power sharing formula and has introduced unlikely individuals from the north in the power equation.
Buhari on his part appears to have been emboldened by the massive turnout of core northern voters – to the effect that he finds his new disposition as liberating from the political godfather grips of the southwest – through Bola Tinubu. Buhari had since drawn closer to his northern brothers and to Amaechi groups – away from the Tinubu groups. One of the glaring symptoms of a shift away from Tinubu’s power grip was exhibited at the tussle for who to crown the leader of the Senate and the House of Representative – as Tinubu threw his political weight behind one of the legislators in the Senate [Akume], Buhari did the opposite. Buhari threw his weight the other candidate [Saraki] – in an effort to curtail Tinubu’s reach in his [Buhari] administration. In Buhari’s take, Saraki is independent enough to withstand the anticipated godfather pressures and/or overtures from Tinubu.
Already, the core northern elites in the like of the Emir of Sokoto and other first class Emirs along with a host of other influential and important core northerners – are uneasy with the political coalition between the north and southwest geo-cultural regions. According to an aide of one of the Emirs, the religious leaders in the north view the emergence of Buhari as a trap –set by the Tinubu’s political machinery. They used the popularity of Buhari to attract the north to the polls. The aide stated that the Emirs are watching the Buhari administration with apprehension. “They are not certain it will be a Buhari administration. They fear it will be a Tinubu administration.”
Assimilating the mounting pressures by the segment of the north who have shown determination to clip his political powers and to limit his anticipated political returns, the [Tinubu] Jagaban of Lagos is reported to be considering a retaliatory response against the push by the north. Our source indicates that Tinubu is under intense pressure from his political group to ‘push’ back at the insurgency within the party. One of the pillars of the Tinubu group, the former governor of Ekiti State, Fayemi is said to be fed up with the shenanigans of the ‘new’ APC. He is said to have advised the Jagaban of Lagos to consider withdrawing his support from the ‘new’ APC – as a protest. Other members of the Tinubu group, who are not as peeved by the actions of the north – the governor of Osun State – Aregbeshola is said to be in a more reconciliatory posture than Fayemi. He is said to have advised Tinubu to be cautious.
Nonetheless, Tinubu has near complete control of the APC national working committee and the national executive council. He also has complete loyalty from the vice president-elect. Informed observers claim Tinubu remains in control of the entire process – that the pressures being mounted by some of the northerners are mere empty netted pressures that will amount to little. They believe that Tinubu still holds the joker.
