As President Muhammadu Buhari holds a crucial meeting with nothern governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Chairman of the party has announced Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party.
Adamu made the announcement at the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja, according to The Nation Newspaper.
Governors and members of the National Working Committee have reportedly kicked against the announcement.
The northern governors had only about 36 hours ago endorsed the zoning of the presidency to the South, prompting Givernor of Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru to withdraw from the race.
THE CONCLAVE reports that some members of a presidency cabal are rooting for power to remain in the North and had before now resolved to endorse Lawan.
But the northern governors Working on concert with their southern counterparts have been focused on picking a consensus from among Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, Hon Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The focus has consistently excluded Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose outburst in Abeokuta last week was said to have been precipitated by information at his disposal that therexwas a grand plot to shortchange the Southwest in the 2023 presidential power politics.
In fact, with the announcemet of Lawan by the APC national chairman, other aspirants including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Dr Kayode Fayemi and David Umahi, among others will be allowed to contest the primary at the convention holding tomorrow at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
The southern candidates , THE CONCLAVE learnt nay now be forced to agree on a consensus candidate among them with a view to upstanging Abdullahi Adamu’s Lawan consensus.
Meanwhile, Buhari is meeting with governors just hours ahead of the APC’s presidential convention, which is scheduled to take off today at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Although there was no official note to the reason for the meeting with the Governors, it was suggested it may not be unconnected with preparations towards assuring a successful convention and narrowing down on who takes the flag of the party tomorrow.
It is the fourth meeting between the President and party stakeholders in relation to the primary.
Aside from his meeting with APC Governors last Tuesday, Buhari had met with the party’s presidential aspirants where he urged them to consult and pick a formidable candidate from among themselves.
On Sunday night, the President also hosted members of the National Advisory Council to a meeting in the Villa.
Those in attendance are Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); chairman of Northern Governors Forum Simon Lalong; Abubakar Baduru (Jigawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Others are: Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Bello Matawale (Zamfara); Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe); Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
