After months of drama, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has finally settled for February 26th, as the official date for the party’s national convention, and for some reason, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, felt its necessary to wait a little bit until everything holds successfully, before declaring his intention to run for the 2023 presidency.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, have both declared their intention to run for the presidency, despite uncertainties in the ruling party.
While it is unclear why Bello prefers to wait till the party’s convention is over, it is believed however, that his decision to wait is mainly out of caution, owing to the crisis within the party amid clashes of political interests.
Speaking of political interests, a former member of the House of Representatives and Senator representing Kano Central, Rufai Hanga, has said while explaining his reason for quitting the party, that the APC, the party he helped built, could collapse as individual interests collide.
He said, “Yes, I decided to walk away from the APC even though I have not yet openly declared for any other party. But I have left the party and I’m watching them do their thing,” he said.
Hanga had previously disclosed that the crisis currently rocking the APC, is not unconnected to Tinubu’s presidential ambition, as he seeks to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate in the coming election.
With powerful individuals like Tinubu determine to win the party’s ticket, the outcome of the party’s convention is crucial, as it gives candidates a better idea where things stand in the APC.
“We are looking forward to the convention of our great party and by the grace of God, I will declare. But we must have a platform to run on and that is the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Bello told journalists in Lokoja, the state capital.
The Kogi State Governor also said he’s under pressure to run for the presidency, by his supporters all over the world.
By the mandate and calling of Nigerians, Nigerian youths and women and people all over the world that are calling me to run and build on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, I will surely answer them immediately after our convention, as the case may be,” Bello said.
