The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve only one term is said to be responsible for the brewing crisis within the the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as major bigwigs are fighting hard to retain control of the party’s machinery ahead of 2019 general elections.
According to Daily Times, this has made politicians to start forming informal alliance gearing to 2019 general elections. The report stated that this in-fighting within the ruling party might distract the president on his mission to bring the needed change to the Nigeria’s people.
It was gathered that the decision of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to thwart efforts of candidates presented by the APC for the position of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has serious link to the 2019 Presidential contest.
According to a Source within the ruling party said , ” the decision of President Buhari not to run in 2019 is already tearing the party into shreds as potential aspirants for the office are already mobilizing across parties and geo- political zones to forge a realignment for the contest.”
“The visit by Akpabio and Agbaje to the Abuja residence of Atiku, according to information pieced together in Abuja, is the beginning of the much-expected realignment and coming together of former PDP political heavy weights across the nation before the commencement of the onslaught on the factionalized APC.”
The reports said that the visit of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, shortly after being sworn in confirmed that Atiku was one of those that backed Saraki’s emergence. It was also gathered that Atiku is still aspiring for the presidency; noting that decision of Buhari to run for one term has further inspired him to start making moves to realise his dream among the political divides.
It was further stressed that the main reason why Bola Ahmed Tinubu was against Saraki’s emergence was his alleged opposition to the choice of Professor Yemi Osibanjo as then running mate for Buhari. Saraki’s was reportedly gunning for former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi. But it took the intervention of former president Obasanjo before the opposition to Osibanjo was lay to rest.
The report revealed that Tinubu is already working on the background to ensure that Atiku does not become the Chairman of APC Board of Trustee in order to checkmate Atiku’s growing influence within the party. While, Atiku is using his vast contacts within and outside the party to clinch the leadership position.