New Twist In APC Presidential Race As Tambuwal Purchases Nomination Form

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Politics Thursday, November 13th, 2014

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The Presidential race of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) took a new twist Thursday, as some colleagues of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal, went to the Party’s National secretariat, in Abuja to purchase on his behalf, expression of interest and nomination form on his behalf.

Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Reps Aminu Tambuwal

Hon Tambuwal’s media aide, Imam Imam revealed that some Federal Lawmakers informed the Speaker earlier in the day that his Presidential nomination form has been obtained.

The latest development was clearly contrary to the general expectation, that Tambuwal, a new decampee to the opposition party, is vying for the Gubernatorial ticket of his State- Sokoto.

What informed the new twist is suspected to be pressure from his co-legislators and probably support from an APC National Chieftain and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu.

It would be recalled Tinubu in 2011 influenced the election and emergence of Tambuwal as the Speaker, against the expectation of a female Yoruba lawmaker, Hon Mulikat Akande who is from Oyo State.

However, the Speaker has been for long speculated to contest the Presidential primary under the platform of the opposition, after his defection, yet the rumour over time subsided, as situation became clearer that he is to succeed incumbent Governor Aliyu Wamako.

The Thursday development has made it difficult to determine whether Tambuwal will finally opt for the Presidential or Governorship contest.