By KEMI KASUMU
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally announced Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
The announcement of Lawan, whose is from North East Nigeria, was made by National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Adamu announced the decision at the meeting of National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja.
Other aspirants including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Dr. Kayode Fayemi and David Umahi, among others will, however, be allowed to contest the primary at the convention holding tomorrow at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
The NWC members insisted other aspirants must be given a level playing ground to compete.
Adamu’s adoption of Lawan as consensus candidate is against the position of 11 APC Northern Governors, who endorsed that power must shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
He told the National Working Committee of the party that he arrived at the choice of Lawan after consultation with President Buhari.
In the meantime, when reacting to the development on Channels Television Politics Today Monday night, former House Minority Leader, Hon Farouq Adamu Aliyu, Northern APC governors’ position that power must shit yo the South had not changed.
Aliyu, who featured vie skype with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was a guest on the programme, said it was only fair that the North would allow the South enjoy the benefit of presenting candidate for the party.
Asked about the Lawan’s consensus candidacy described as rumour and which a particular member of NWC claimed does not represent the decision of the NWC, Senator Kalu retorted “what is a rumour in that? It is a confirmed announcement and how is it not decision of NWC? Because it was announced by the national chairman of the party to the NWC meeting and so it is the decision of NWC.”
