Ministerial nominations: Tinubu’s romance with opposition figures unsettles APC

By our Correspondent

Some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed worries over the frequent visits of opposition figures to President Bola Tinubu at the State House since his swearing-in on May 29.
A source told our Correspondent that much suspicion and ill feelings have dominated the ranks of APC supporters as a result of Tinubu’s warm reception of these members of opposition political parties who throng the office and residence of the president ahead of the nomination for ministerial positions.
“We know that President Tinubu has a soft spot for some of these opposition figures and may want to give them appointment even as minister.
“But what we are saying is that APC members should be first considered and well treated, because a situation whereby such appointments are given at the expense of party stalwarts who have been toiling for the party since ages would be unfair, the source who pleaded for anonymity said.
Reminded that some of the opposition figures being referred to had equally staked their necks to ensure that Tinubu won the presidential election, the source argued that while that may be the perception, those involved were actually seeking an escape route or seeking soft landing in their political career and not necessarily to help Tinubu.
“I can tell you boldly that they were not doing that because they loved Tinubu more than others. Many of them found themselves in a sinking ship and were being figured for causing the shipwreck. So the rational thing is for them to find an escape route so that even if the ship is able to sail to the shores nobody would be able to bring them to answer for their crimes. That is the gospel truth,” the source submitted.
Some of the opposition party members that have visited President Tinubu in his Aso Rock office include former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and his counterparts from Rivers, Benue, Ekiti and Delta states, Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ayo Fayose and James Ibori respectively.
Others are former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim.
Wike, for instance, had visited the sitting president not less than three times since his inauguration. On one of his visits to Tinubu, he went in the company of Ibori; and on another one, he was accompanied by Ortom and other members of the G-5.
Though members of the PDP, Makinde, Wike and some others in their group worked for the emergence of Tinubu as president in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, was President Tinubu’s guest on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The former governor who affirmed his membership of the PDP, however, noted that Tinubu had done well since coming into office and should be encouraged, adding politics had gone and that people should support good governance.
He also said that he would be the first to criticize the president if he goes back on campaign promises, noting that President Tinubu cannot do it alone.
During his recent visit to President Tinubu, Kwankwaso admitted in an interview that the President actually offered him a ministerial slot, but he did not say whether he would accept it.
Presidency spokesman, Dele Alake, had explained, however, that Tinubu’s meeting with opposition figures is a fulfilment of his promise to run an open and transparent government.
He praised them for their courage and sincerity, and criticised some opposition leaders who have failed to recognise the President’s effort.