…as ex-governor’s ordeal with EFCC raises ethical question
A battle of wits between forces loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may be raging hard, amid its attendant political casualties.
First News’ investigations revealed that a chief victim in the political war of attrition is the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makuria, who is currently aspiring to emerge as National Chairman of the APC.
Al-Makura, a foundation member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which later joined others to morph into the APC, is believed to be President Buhari’s anointed candidate.
But sources said that another bloc rooting for the presidential ambition of Tinubu is ill at ease with Al-Makura’s choice, as Buhari is under suspicion of working underneath, against Tinubu’s ambition.
The Tinubu camp, it would seem, is now on the winning track, as Al-Makura is battling fraud allegations made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ex-governor who is a serving senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, was last week arrested by the EFCC, alongside his wife, Mario, over alleged misappropriation of funds and breach of trust in some awards of contracts during his eight-year rule.
Considering the ethical implication of Al-Makura’s ordeal, the APC is reportedly considering a pendulum swing in the direction of another top contender, Alhaji Salihu Mustapha, a former National Deputy Chairman of the defunct CPC.
“As you know, three major parties formed the APC, namely Action Congress (AC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and CPC.
“ANPP had produced National Chairman in the person of former Governor John Odigie-Oyegun; AC had produced through former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and it is time for the CPC to produce,” a source analysed the trend to First News.
The source noted that Tinubu’s political wizardry is coming to play again in the unfolding drama in the party, as Mustapha may ultimately get the APC plum job.
The party has since come on track in the journey to holding its National Convention, having started with nationwide ward congresses last Saturday.
The party is reportedly in high-tech legal consultations, however, to stave off a back-lash effect in last week’s Supreme Court ruling that the Yobe governor, Mai Mama Buni, ran foul of the Nigerian Constitution to have occupied the positions of Governor and Acting Chairman of the APC, at the same time.
In the appeal suit brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the APC, the apex court said Jegede’s failure to join Buni in the suit, was fatal to his request.