There are indications that prominent Northern leaders have decided to back Speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal in his ambition to contest for presidency in the forthcoming 2015 elections.
The northern leaders who are beginning to weigh their options between former military head of state, Muhammadu Buhari, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar have realized that the both men may jeopardise the chance of the zone winning the 2015 Presidential elections.
A prominent northern leader who spoke with Daily Independent under anonymity said: “We have examined our chances ahead of 2015 presidential election since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reneged on the zoning arrangement against the North that Tambuwal is our best joker. We have commenced meetings to back him. That is why we asked him to join the race.
“Let me tell you that we are happy that the South West was magnanimous enough to cede the presidency to us. Again, we have looked at Buhari and Atiku’s chances and we don’t want to be consumed by the crisis that may follow the primaries if one of them beats the other. Therefore, we have resolved to back Tambuwal. That I can confirm to you.”
Tambuwal, who recently defected from the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP to the APC, collected his presidential nomination form in Abuja on Friday, after months of speculations.
According to former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Tambuwal’s decision to join the presidential race is a good one.
“He has the competence that is lacking in the current leadership in the country. The PDP has failed the people; that I am sure the Speaker knows.
“From the way and manner he has led the House of Representatives for the past three and half years without any scandal, it shows that he is a good material. What we need now is a competent President and not someone claiming that I was there before as a leader so I have the experience.
“It doesn’t matter where the fellow comes from, what we want is good result, which I think Tambuwal can achieve. To set Nigeria on the right path, we need a leader that will quickly fix the country on time like the Speaker,” he said.
Reacting to Tambuwal‘s presidential ambition, former National Publicity Secretary of the apex northern group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, said: “In a democracy, Tambuwal has the right to aspire for any office in the land. And if the North believes that he has all it takes to deliver on the promise of democracy such as order, peace, so be it.”
Tambuwal’s indication of interest to run for Presidency in the 2015 general elections reportedly disrupted the All Progressive Congress alleged consensus candidate.
Meanwhile, report has it that the camp of national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has switched support from Buhari to Tambuwal.
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