The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday opened floodgates of activities ahead of its primaries a number of aspirants including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picking forms to contest or re-election.
Among other governorship aspirants who have picked the nomination forms to contest include: Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) for Ogun state, former Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu for Nasarawa, and Hon. Kashim Musa Tumsah, for Yobe state.
While presenting the nomination forms to Tumsah, a diplomat and oil expert, a group on the aegis of Yobe First Movement (YFM), led by Comrade Ibrahim Lawan, said they have been calling on the aspirant to come out to contest but has been reluctant.
“We are very happy that he has finally agreed with us to join the race. We believe that his entrance into the race will bring good fortunes for Yobe state,” he said.
When asked why he joined the race despite consensus arrangement in the state, the governorship aspirant said consensus has to be an agreement amongst aspirants “not just by a few individuals who were not even in the race.”
Lawan said, “it is important that even if we are chosen consensus, a popular aspirant should be brought forward so we don’t lose our chances as a political party.”
When reminded that the likes of former Senate President Ahmed Lawan and others were already in the race, Tumsah said: “Political titles can’t make anyone a better candidate, it is what you have done for your people and antecedents even while you held prior political office that matters.”
Also speaking after obtaining his nomination forms, a governorship aspirant from Bauchi state, Senator Shehu Buba, expressed strong chances of taking over from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in his state.
Buba, who is representing Bauchi South, said: “We stand a very good chance to take over Bauchi from the ruling PDP. I am optimistic because Bauchi is an APC state, and you can attest to that. The PDP government has failed the people of Bauchi. Being the first person to obtain the form as an aspirant, be rest assured that, if I get the ticket, we will send the PDP out.”
