2023: 2 political power brokers who could influence the outcome of APC and PDP presidential ticket

There are many definitions of politics. One of them is the art or science of determining who gets what, where and when. In any government, there are men and women who have the ears of the ruler and can influence allocation of resources, appointments, projects and day-to-day decisions of the administration. Such people are known as power brokers.

Under President Goodluck Jonathan, a number of men and women have clearly emerged as power brokers. Some of these personalities played crucial roles in getting President Jonathan elected and are wielding enormous powers of influence in the polity.

Notable personalities of influence in Jonathan’s administration include First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Senate President David Mark; Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Petroleum Minister, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and Peter Obi of Anambra.

As Nigeria begins to gear up for the 2023 general elections, there are powerful political power brokers who appeared to be key players in the country and to watch as Nigeria’s election season starts early:

1. Ibrahim Babangida

General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) needs no introduction in Nigeria’s polity and elsewhere around the world. As a professional coup-plotter who overthrew another coup-plotter (now President, Muhammadu Buhari) had ruled the most populous black nation for close to a decade culminating in a chaotic transition that saw an epilogue on June 12, 1993 when a new President (the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola) was elected.

A Chieftain and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) frontline presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, had all visited the Minna ‘mecca’ where they paid homage to the old soldier asking and receiving his blessing for the 2023 presidential battle.

More candidates in the race (Dave Umahi, Pius Anyim, Dele Momodu etc) may well fly or travel down to the Niger state capital city, sooner or later, to confer with the glorified ‘power-broker’.

2. Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo equally received potential candidates but Tinubu and his mob may not be welcome in Abeokuta for obvious reasons.

According to a report by Daily Post, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has asked Nigerians not to support or vote for some presidential aspirants who claimed their nomination forms were purchased for them by groups. He said the aspirants lied to Nigerians and should not be voted in the forthcoming presidential election. Recall that the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi and other aspirants had claimed that some groups purchased their Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, nomination form for them.

Since 1999, Obasanjo has remained a major factor in Nigerian and Aso Rock politics. He played decisive roles in getting Jonathan nominated as running mate to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his swearing as acting president when Yar’Adua became terminally ill and now as elected president. He backed Jonathan during the bitter debates on whether or not Jonathan should be elected because of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP zoning formula. Obasanjo play crucial roles in those appointed ministers especially from the South-West.

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As the political godfather of the sitting President, Obasanjo would of course not be easily discountenanced even if his voting power was almost inconsequential to the President’s election victory. Jonathan, obviously, is not primed to go against his political benefactor yet.