At the wake of President Muhamamdu Buhari’s prolonged medical vacation, which was necessitated as a result of his illness, some Politicians have started positioning themselves for the 2019 Presidency, just in case the embattled President decides not to run for office.
Post-Nigeria on Saturday, x-rayed five (5) Powerful Northern Politicians who may replace Buhari, come 2019.
1. Atiku Abubakar
The two-time Vice President has never kept hidden his Presidential ambition. Atiku had contested the 2007 Presidential election on the platform the defunct Action Congress, AC, after realizing that he could not get the PDP ticket, because of his frosty relationship with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Also, the APC Chieftain had contested the Presidential ticket with former President, Goodluck Jonathan, in 2011, and with the then-candidate, Buhari, in 2014, on different platforms.
In recent times, Atiku has won the admiration of some Nigerian voters in the South-South and South-East, with his consistent advocacy for true federalism; a call considered to be part of his subtle campaign ahead of 2019, especially if Buhari decides not to run.
Atiku maintains a vibrant media office, with many staff that ensures he is a constant participator in national discourse.
The Turaki, is also known to be a “big spender” when it comes to pursuing his political interests, giving the PDP and ex-President Obasanjo, a tough time by dragging them to the court several times, when they attempted to tame him in the past.
2. Rabiu Kwankwaso
Kwankwaso, is a serving Senator representing Kano Central at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, and was a Presidential aspirant in the last general election.
A former Governor of Kano State, who served the State from 1999-2003 and 2011-2015 respectively. He is said to have turned around Kano through laudable physical infrastructural development, especially during his second tenure.
Although Kwankwaso has been quiet for a while, his political network is not only intact, but vibrant across the country. His political trademark, the Kwankwasiyya, which he established before the 2011 general elections, are even expanding to other States. In the event he goes for the Presidency, his large followership in Kano, Kaduna, and other States in the North, would give him an added advantage, especially if he picks a running mate from the South.
What will work against him however, is if decides to remain in the APC, and Buhari decides to go for a second term.
3. Sule Lamido
The dwindling fortunes of the PDP, occasioned by counter-court cases and mass defection, do not deter the former Jigawa State Governor from nursing his ambition of vying for the Presidential position of this country, under its platform.
Lamido, who is passionate about the PDP, believes that it will soon overcome its travails and bounce back. While the party is suffering in other climes, it is thriving in Jigawa, to the extent that some members of the ruling APC are defecting to it.
The declaration for his Presidential ambition sometime last year did come to many as a surprise. Lamido, who is among the founding fathers of the PDP, said if offered a ticket come 2019, he would be glad to accept to run for the Presidency. What is not clear however, is whether he will overcome the ambition of many alpha members of the PDP for the same ticket.
4. Nasir El-Rufai
Currently the Governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai has been in the news for long, as one of those likely to run for the Presidency in 2019. This is given his popularity and acceptability across the country. Nonetheless, it is not likely he will show any interest if Buhari is contesting, as he would not stand any chance in the North, and may also stand the risk of losing his political investments, given Buhari’s acceptability in the region.
The current twist in events, where Buhari has been on vacation for a while, has however raised the hope that he might contest, as he is said to be one of the top three Northerners being considered for the Vice Presidential slot, if Buhari decides on more medical rest. If that happens, many say it is likely that El-Rufai may latch in on the issue of zoning, in order to contest in 2019, given that the sympathy may be for a Northern candidate.
5. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
Tambuwal, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Reps, was to contest for President in 2015, when some of his friends reportedly obtained the APC Presidential form for him to participate in the primary. He later shelved the idea and went ahead to contest for the Sokoto State Governorship seat, and won.
As part of future plans to realize his Presidential ambition, the 51-year-old Lawyer succeeded in installing his successor in the House of Reps, Yakubu Dogara. He also succeeded in expanding his political base among Federal Lawmakers from all parts of the country.
Described as an astute and shrewd Politician by many, he leaves no one in doubt that he would certainly go for the top job in the country in the nearest future, which could be in 2019.
powered by sue.ng a legal search engine