By Peter Obiechina
There appears to be no let-up in the desire by some politicians to ‘force’ a Rotimi Amaechi/Nasir El-Rufai presidential ticket under the aegis of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).
Although primary elections to produce candidates for Nigeria’s 2023 general elections is still two whole years ahead, strategic positioning by those jostling for the presidential stool has since commenced.
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, Nigerians living within Abuja metropolis woke up to behold yet another poster canvassing support for the duo of Amaechi and El-Rufai.
Titled “2023:Today May Not Be The Best But Tomorrow Will Be Better,” the poster described the anticipated pairing of Amaechi and El-Rufai as “the ticket for consolidation and expansion.”
Sponsored by a certain National Consolidation Movement, the poster had the photographs of both men emblazoned.
365Daily recalls that the current poster is, perhaps, only but one of several strategies being employed by promoters of the joint candidature of both men.
Only four months ago, video clips and posters canvassing the presidential aspiration of both men had popped up in most capital cities of northern Nigeria. One of the clips had young Northern ladies promoting Amaechi’s rumoured aspiration in Hausa.
Also, campaign materials, including posters and other paraphernalia sponsored by a group, Amaechi Vanguard, were spotted across many Northern state capitals.
None of Minister Amaechi’s allies contacted was willing to speak on record concerning the development, with one of them merely positing that “by his public service experience and spotless record, Minister Amaechi is well suited for the top job.
“Having served eight unbroken years as Speaker, another eight as governor, and looking forward to completing yet another eight as Minister, how many people in Nigeria’s current political landscape can boast of having such record,” he asked.
Besides, the Amaechi close ally told 365Daily, “don’t also forget that at 55, the Minister still has age on his side.”
Initially speculated to be interested in running for the country’s presidency himself, Governor El-Rufai’s last public comment on the issue, to the effect that it would only be morally just for the presidency to go South, has made several political watchers to begin to accord a likely Amaechi/El-Rufai ticket more than a cursory attention.
Speaking with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service few weeks ago, El-Rufai had said:”The southern part of the country is supposed to produce the president come 2023; I don’t support a northerner to vie for the seat after President Muhammadu Buhari, based on Nigeria’s political arrangement.”
But in the typical Nigerian political fashion of saying one thing and doing another, a group which claims to be promoting the public service ideals of Governor El-Rufai few days ago came out to urge him to offer himself for the topmost job.
Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna last weekend, the group – Nassiriya Organisation – threatened to sue the governor should he fail to heed their demand.
“We also met his parents and relations but we’ve not gotten a successful answer. We have to go to court. Nigeria is for El-Rufai in 2023. El-Rufai is fit to be President based on his track records of achievement,” Dr. Garkuwa Babuga, leader of the group and North west zonal chairman of the ruling APC said.
But in the complex web of intricacies which has become a defining feature of Nigerian politics, feelers gotten by 365Daily indicate that the current posturing by Gov.El-Rufai and his associates may have been a ploy to ensure that no one else is considered ahead of their camp in the jostling for the vice presidential slot, should the No.1 position go to the South.
Notedly, El-Rufai hails from Daudawa in Faskari local government area of Katsina state; same as President Buhari who hails from Daura, Katsina state.
Meanwhile, the permutations continue as Nigeria walks giddily towards the 2023 general elections.