Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, Tuesday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has received the names of five aspirants for his consideration as the consensus presidential candidate ahead of Tuesday’s national convention.
Aspirants shortlisted for consensus are the former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
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This was disclosed by Lalong during an interview with Channelstv Sun Rise Daily, Tuesday morning ahead of the build up to the event.
According to Lalong, those whose names submitted to the president had been graded by the party’s screening committee based on specified criteria adding that the shortlisted candidates did not stop others from presenting themselves for the primary election.
Recall that the governors after meeting with President Buhari on Monday insisted on a southern candidate for equity, fairness and justice considering the zoning formula.
Their meeting with the president came following the announcement by the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Adamu Abdulahi, that President Buhari had endorsed Senate President, Ahmed Lawan as the consensus candidate.
But according to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoting the president during his meeting with the 14 northern governors at the State House, Abuja, that he (Buhari) has “no preferred candidate,” and has “anointed no one,” and is determined to ensure that “there shall be no imposition of any candidate on the party.”
