Thisday sources, confirmed that Tinubu has abandoned his initial plan of aligning with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to build a mega party, to take on the APC in 2019.
He has now vowed to remain in the APC
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has allegedly been holding a series of meeting and consultation, in a bid to throw his hat into the ring, for the 2019 Presidency.
Thisday sources, confirmed that Tinubu has abandoned his initial plan of aligning with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to build a mega party, to take on the APC in 2019.
He has now vowed to remain in the APC, a party he built and nurtured to unseat the PDP, in 2015.
Recall, that last Friday, Tinubu had dropped a hint to contest for the Presidency during the inauguration of the new Governor of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu.
Although, Buhari’s absence and concerns over his health, which may rule him out of the contest in 2019, may have played a role in Tinubu’s decision to contest for the Presidency on the platform of the APC.
According to a source in the know: “Asiwaju would actually prefer that the President recovers and returns hale and hearty, but he does not seek a second term.
“But even if Buhari decides to seek a second term, Asiwaju’s mind is made up, as he will contest for the post in the APC, under any circumstances.
“He is tired of being a kingmaker, and has decided that he will contest under any prevailing circumstances.”
In this regard, the source said Tinubu remains on course to build a strong counter-force within the APC, first in South-West, by stepping up his efforts to reconcile with all his erstwhile political associates, including former Governors, Segun Osoba, and Gbenga Daniel, as well as other political leaders like the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
Already, Tinubu’s team has pencilled down three names as possible running mates, a source close to the APC Leader disclosed.
They are: Governor Aminu Tambuwal, of Sokoto State, due to name recognition and political considerations; Senator Abu Ibrahim, who represents Buhari’s Katsina South Senatorial District, to placate the President’s people and power bloc; and possibly the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, his well-known political associate and an expert on economic reforms that could prove very useful to a Tinubu Presidency.
