Intrigues as alleged Buhari, Tinubu, governors’ lists circulate at APC convention

As voting continues at the ongoing national convention of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), delegates are receiving three different lists of contestants to vote for.

The first list, which has 11 names, was allegedly given to the national convention committee, headed by Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar. It allegedly has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A source involved in the convention told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Buhari asked the Jigawa governor to “consult” with his governor colleagues with a view to getting their support for his preferred candidates.

“The list has only 11 names and Mr President said the governors should fill the rest of the positions with their own candidates,” the source said.

In the purported Mr Buhari list, the president has Adams Oshiomhole for chairman, Farouk Aliyu, for deputy chairman (North), Mala Buni for national secretary.

The list also has the name of Mainasara Sani as preferred candidate for national vice chairman (north west), Emmanuel Eneukwu, national vice chairman (south east), Hilliard Attah for deputy national chairman (south-south) and Christopher Osuala as national organising secretary.

Also in the list are Lanre Issa-Onilu for national publicity secretary, George Moghalu, national auditor, Edike Adoh- Ogbuta for deputy legal adviser as well as Tina Adike for national woman leader.

There is also a second list allegedly backed by a national leader of the party, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, which contains 23 names.

In Mr Tinubu’s alleged list, Mr Oshiomhole is listed for chairman, Niyi Adebayo for deputy chairman (south); Lawal Shuaibu, deputy chairman (north) and Kashim Imam as national secretary. Mr Imam has however stepped down from the race.

Mr Tinubu’s list also has Longers Anyanwu for national organising secretary, Salamatu Baiwa for woman leader and Babatunde Ogala as legal adviser among others.

Our source said despite giving their assurances to work with the list said to be backed by Mr Buhari, submitted through the chairman of the convention planning committee, the governors decided to come up with a list of their own.

The governors’ alleged list has 35 names in which they also chosen Mr Oshiomhole for chairman and Farouk Aliyu and Niyi Adebayo as deputy national chairmen, north and south respectively.

The governors’ list also has Bulama Waziri as secretary, although, Mr Waziri has already announced his decision to step down for the incumbent national secretary, Mai Mala Buni.

The list also has Fatima Adams for national woman leader, Bolaji Abdullahi for Publicity Secretary and Emma Ibediro for organising secretary.

Our source said although some of the persons on the alleged governors’ list have already stepped down, he insisted that “ the governors’ list is what is on play here”.

The president’s spokespersons could not be immediately reached for comments. Mr Tinubu could not also be reached.