INDICATIONS emerged on Thursday, that all may not be going on well within the fold of the ruling All Progressive Congress as some governors elected under the party’s platform met President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa,Abuja.
The governors which comprised Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo and Abubakar Bello of Niger, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Simon Lalong of Plateau and Tanko Al Makura of Nasarawa states all converged in the Presidents office to review the outcome of the primary elections that has so far held in the country, including the chances of the party in the 2019 general elections.
After emerging from the meeting which lasted for about three hours, the governors declined to comment on resolutions from their meeting.
However after much pressures was mounted by State House correspondents, Rochas Okorocha then responded, saying, “We came to review the various crises characterizing our primaries, especially the APC with a view to finding solution. So, we are looking for a way out in this regard. We are going to find solution, our party believes in justice, equity and fairness.
“We are requesting let the right thing be done and let everyone contest the elections”.
Recall that in Kaduna state, Senator Shehu Sani despite his strained relationship with El Rufa’i was given automatic senatorial ticket to retain his Kaduna Central Senatorial seat by the ruling party.
The development which the state governor is strongly opposed to has made him to insist that primaries be held to determine who flies the party’s flag in the 2019 Senatorial poll.
Similar scenario also played out in Ondo where Senator Ajayi Borrofice was to be returned unopposed for his Ondo North Senatorial district on the platform of the ruling party while the state governor had also planned to dislodge him through a primary.
Most governors on the platform of the ruling party are believed to be quite uncomfortable with the party’s decision to return the lawmakers unopposed owing to their loyalty during the gale of mass defection to the opposition, following the decision of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to dump the APC in order to pursue his presidential ambition on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Moreover, the duo of El-Rufai and Akeredolu, were believed to have felt that they were being spited by the Adams Oshiomhole’s led APC for daring to kick against his emergence as the National Chairman of the party sometimes ago.
Recall that both governors and their counterpart in Kogi, Yahaya Bello, allegedly worked for the extension of tenure for the former APC Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, so as to make him lead the party to the 2019 general elections.
In Lagos state, even though governor Akinwumi Ambode has conceded victory to Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the next year’s gubernatorial elections, some of the incumbent governors are said to be displeased with the powers some party members are wielding over their colleagues.