APC Chairman: Why Modu-Sheriff should not be underrated

It made headlines days ago that top four contenders have emerged for the post of the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

To be specific, the top four contenders were listed. According to a report by Daily Trust, they include: former Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Madura, another former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, former Deputy National Chairman of defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Saliu Mustapha and former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa. This report that top four contenders have emerged does not mean that people like former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu-Sheriff and other aspirants are no longer in the race.

As a matter of fact, Modu-Sheriff is one of the other contenders that should not be underrated. This is because of some reasons which may help him in the race despite not making the top four contenders listed above.

First, Sheriff was a founding member of the APC. Founding members are usually given some privileges or considerations. As a founding member of APC, Sheriff has a network of friends and allies he can work with to back his ambition to lead the party. This can help him if he plays his cards well.

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Secondly, Sheriff’s camp argued that his political bloc that contributed to the formation of APC has not been given key positions in the party. This was voiced by the leader of Sheriff’s campaign team, Senator Victor Lar. Lar argued that as small as President Muhammadu Buhari’s CPC bloc was, it got key posts including Presidency and the same is applicable to other blocs except the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) led by Sheriff. Lar argued that this point when presented and considered can make other aspirants to back Sheriff for the post in the spirit of “I owe you.”

Finally, Sheriff had the clout and the resources to push his ambition. As a former Governor who ruled for two terms, a former Senator too and an experienced politician who has been in the system, Sheriff has the clout, people and resources to push his ambition. It would be recalled that Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi and some of other people have backed Sheriff for the job. He may stand a good chance in the race just like others that made the list of top four contenders.