EXCLUSIVE: Tambuwal is Tinubu’s ‘Plan B’

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, speaker of the house of representatives, will receive the backing of Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) if he picks the presidential nomination form of the party, TheCable understands.

This is already generating some tension within the party, with a group writing to the national chairman, John Oyegun, to warn him about dumping Muhammadu Buhari, a retired major general and former head of state, who is seen as the party’s strongest candidate.

Tambuwal, who recently left the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has always been conflicted between going for governorship in Sokoto state and bidding for the presidency.

However, recent events have raised his political profile nationally, after his defection to APC and the withdrawal of his security aides by the federal government.

His chances, not initially considered as very bright, have further improved following the failure of the leading northern aspirants in the APC to arrive at a consensus candidate.

Tinubu, who is believed to control the largest bloc in the party, has been “exasperated” by the failure of the north to produce a consensus candidate in order to avoid a possibly acrimonious showdown between Buhari and Atiku Abubakar.

His aides confirmed to TheCable that he is now considering a “neutral” candidate.

“Asiwaju has told the northern leaders of APC to produce a consensus candidate to avoid the rancour that could come from a competitive primary election, but so far there is no indication that any of the leading candidates wants to step down for the other,” one of his aides said.

TheCable recently reported that Tinubu had directed his camp to support Buhari for the ticket in what would be a major boost to the chances of the former head of state.

“It is true that Tinubu recently met with Tambuwal over the issue, but it is not right to conclude that Tinubu no longer favours Buhari for the ticket,” the aide said.

“To the best of my knowledge, Buhari remains his first choice. He will only back out if there are indications that the lack of consensus could affect the party.”

Tinubu had as far back as July 2014 told his associates that Tambuwal ─ whom he helped to become speaker in 2011 against the wishes of the PDP ─ was the best bet for the job because of his age, legislative experience and clean record.

According to a top member of APC from the south-west, who is in the know of the calculations, Tinubu considers Tambuwal to be highly marketable to the young generation.

“Asiwaju (Tinubu) believes since the voting population is overwhelming young, Tambuwal can easily connect with them. He also sees Tambuwal as someone without any baggage ─ ethnic, religious or moral. But his first choice remains Buhari if only others will withdraw for him,” he said.

It is thought that while Buhari may have a problem supporting Atiku in the presidential election, he should not have any problem supporting a young candidate like Tambuwal, who is 48, if he himself does not get the ticket.

Some of the northern governors are said to be more disposed to having Tambuwal as the party’s president candidate because of his age and the uncertainty of their fate under a Buhari government.

However, it is also recognised within the party that Buhari is the biggest crowd puller in the north and an alliance with the south-west may combine to defeat the PDP in the February 14, 2015 presidential poll.

Tambuwal’s political associates, who spoke off the record with TheCable, believe he has a better chance of winning the Sokoto governorship than the presidential election.

“The governorship ticket has been zoned to Sokoto south where he comes from and he enjoys a very good relationship with Governor Aliyu Wamakko. All seems set for him to pick the ticket and become the next governor of Sokoto state,” a member of the house of reps told TheCable.

“The idea of a presidential bid is a bit complicated, considering that you have Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the race. You can argue that he is younger and should be given him a chance, but this is politics.”

The sale of presidential expression of interest and nominations forms by APC will close on Friday, November 14, while those of governorship will end on November 21.

Primaries for presidential ticket will hold on December 8 and governorship on December 2.

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