APC moves to douse tension over 2023 presidential race

Presidency shops for the younger, popular candidate

Indications have emerged that there are underground moves by some forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevail on the National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to cede his yet to be declared presidential ambition and step down to a younger candidate come 2023.

A former member of the National Working Committee, who did not want his name mentioned, warned that the party would have to “navigate the Tinubu bend tactically due to the role the former governor of Lagos State played in the merger of APC and election of President Buhari in 2015 and 2019 respectively.”

It was also gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari was being very careful not to take any action that would amount to embarrassment to Tinubu.

RELATEDLY, there is also a strong indication that the Presidency has set up a team of credible personalities to look out for an acceptable successor of Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the ruling party.

The Guardian gathered that the move was aimed at ensuring cohesion within the party having realised the likely problems the issue of who succeeds the incumbent might create for the country, if not appropriately addressed.

The Presidency was said to be seriously pondering the Lagos declaration by the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) that the Presidency must come to the South in 2023 just as it is also ruminating over the possible consequences of demand by some in North-Central and North-East.

It was also said that the Presidency had enlisted fact-finding groups to carry out background checks on gladiators ahead of the next general election.

Impeccable sources said Buhari was determined to ensure that his successor is capable of ensuring the unity and security of Nigeria.

Another source, which is privy to one of the teams, disclosed that many interest groups had been visited to sample their opinions on the qualities the next president should possess.

The Guardian gathered that the move was to ensure that APC presents a candidate that is acceptable to the electorate.

Besides, the presidential team was said to be currently meeting religious, traditional, and political leaders across the country, saying their findings will “guide President Buhari and the party in making good decisions ahead of 2023.