While the next presidential election is gaining more momentum and tractions, two Igbo politicians have come out to slug it out with the national leader of the ruling political party. They want to confront the leader in the competition for the All Progressives Congress ticket....CONTINUE READING
The former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, has often been considered as a very powerful politician who has the APC at his disposal. It was also thought that he could get the ticket of the party with a snap of the fingers. The narrative is changing with the declaration of the two Igbo politicians.
Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu has come out boldly. He even said that the political party doesn’t belong to Bola Tinubu alone. It is surprising that the former Abia state governor would be so brave to declare his ambition to the public. He has shaken off all odds to show his interest.
Both Kalu and Tinubu were governors of Abia and Lagos State respectively at the same time (1999 to 2007). And they have both been at the House of Senate. They have lots of things in common. Kalu must have considered this.
Just two months ago, Mr. Tinubu was in the southeastern Abia state. He went to consult the former governor, who is now the Chief Whip of the Senate. Tinubu must have known how much power and influence Orji Uzor Kalu has.
But now Kalu has talked about his own ambition. He has ceaselessly said that Igbo people should be allowed to produce Nigeria’s president. He might be the lucky person to clinch the ticket of his political party.
Mr. Dave Umahi is another politician who wants to give Tinubu a run for his money. The Ebonyi State Governor joined the All Progressives Congress from the PDP in November, 2020. Now he is pushing for his ambition within the party.
When he was defecting, he gave a clue. He accused his former political camp of not doing enough to project the Igbo presidency. Since 1999 the PDP has never presented an Igbo man as its candidate for the presidential election.
Mr. Umahi has started his own movements. He will be relying on the Ebonyi State chapter of the APC when the primary election comes. Even though he is qualified, the core APC leaders may he skeptical. The fact that he joined the party from PDP might be a disadvantage.