Faleke, 2 others pick N100m APC presidential form for Tinubu

House of Representatives member, James Faleke, and two other key supporters of former Lagos state Governor, Bola Tinubu on Friday picked presidential nomination and Expression of Interest forms on his behalf.

Tinubu, who is in Saudi Arabia for Hajj was represented by Faleke, and member representing Agege Federal Constituency in the green chamber, Babatunde Adejare; and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal to pick the form at the All Progressives Congress headquarters in Abuja.

The growing number of presidential aspirants from the South West in the All Progressives Congress (APC) is threatening the chances of the zone to pick the ticket of the ruling party.

Meanwhile, five aspirants from the SouthWest are expected to battle other presidential aspirants from other zones for the party’s ticket at the primary slated May 30/June 1.

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The aspirants include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (Ogun), former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole (Ogun), Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (Lagos) and the chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

The ruling party has not zoned its presidential ticket to any part of the country but since President Muhammadu Buhari hails from North West, there are expectations that the southern part of the country will pick the party ticket for the 2023 general election.

While there are contenders from South East and South South for the APC’s presidential ticket, those from the South West do not appear ready to back out from the race.

However, there are fears that Tinubu, Osinbajo, Fayemi, Amosun, among others have their supporters among the delegates from the zone and the implication is that at the end of the day, this might reduce the chances of the South West.

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The South East geopolitical zone has seven aspirants including David Umahi (Ebonyi), Dr Chris Ngige (Anambra), Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba (Imo), Orji Uzo Kalu (Abia), Senator Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ihechukwu Dallas Chima (Abia) and Usman Iwu (Imo).

So far, only three persons have indicated interest from the South South including Ben Ayade (Cross River), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Mr Tein Jack-Rich (Rivers).

The North Central has two; Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (Kwara).  The only person from the North East is Adamu Garba II (Adamawa).