Following intense consultations and promptings by President Muhammadu Buhari, The Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have now pruned down to five the number of aspirants for today’s presidential primaries.
Considered key stakeholders in the ruling party, the governors and NWC members took the decision in the early hours of Tuesday, June 7, with the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, dropping the hints in an interview with Channels Television.
He said those recommended in alphabetical order are former Lagos State Governor and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
With this latest development, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, announced yesterday by the National Chairman, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, as the consensus candidate, has been effectively dumped by the powers that be in the party.
Others screened out of contention by the governors and NWC members among the 13 recommended by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Screening Committee are Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi, immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and former Minister of State, Education, Chief Emeka Nwajiuba.
According to Lalong, aspirants among the initial 23, who are displeased with the decision, are at liberty to stay in the primary election contest
