By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
With the preparation for the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in place, a chieftain of the party has revealed that a dark horse might emerge as the National Chairman of the party.
The chieftain who craved anonymity said the dark horse is a serving Senator from Niger State.
According to him, two aspirants have indicated interest from Niger State, a former Minister and Serving Senator, but the lot favors the serving Senator.
He said, “you should also know that there are two other former Governors from the North Central who have indicated interest in the position. One is from Benue state and the other is from Nasarawa State.
“But as l speak with you now, the governors are taking their minds off them.
“The reason is hinged on the experience they had with the former governor who was the National Chairman of the party.”
The chieftain posited also that the Senators are making a case for the serving Senator from Niger State on the grounds that since the inception of APC, all the National Chairmen had been former Governors.
Further, he said,” From all indications and the narratives going round strategic blocs in the party shows that the support base of two frontline aspirants in the person of a vocal serving senator and a former minister, both from the North Central zone are most likely going to dominate the permutations for the race of who becomes the new national chairman of the party in the next national convention which is coming up in few months.
“There are indications that the serving senator is said to be popular amongst young political class, as he is versatile in managing the diversity and strength of both the old and new generation of politicians, he is outspoken against a society that groom bad and inept leadership, which pundits believe it can result in establishing bad governance.
“His silent mention has today created a challenge for older politicians and will be making it look tough in the coming days for the older hands on how to deal with the dynamics of the permutations.
“For the former minister who was also a one time member of the green chamber, the political environment may prove too difficult as pundits believe he will be used, and the fear is that it makes the party’s future uncertain.
“He is a good schemer in the game of party politics and within the macro environment, but when it comes to rallying round the party leadership blocs and populace, he will face a herculean task to manage.”
According to the chieftain, the old hands that have indicated their ambitions to contest if given the opportunity may throw the party into turmoil, those that have openly declared interest are former governors of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, Nasarawa, Umaru Tanko Almakura, Zamfara, Abdulazeez Yari and a few others.
They are all seen to carry one baggage or the other that may affect the fortunes of the party in 2023.
However, the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee has not decided on the date for the National Convention as the proposed time table for the congresses is before the President, Muhammadu Buhari, awaiting approval.
