As the 2023 election approaches, the odds against National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), increasing as a forum, the Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, has called on him to apologise to Nigerians for a comment he made years ago that he did not believe in a single Nigeria.
Tinubu announced his presidential ambitions more than two weeks ago and claims to be 69 years old.
However, some argue that he is too elderly to manage Nigeria and should thus appoint his political friend, current Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, rather than vying for the Nigerian plum post.
However, upon announcing his presidential ambitions, Tinubu stated that it was time for him to be king because he was wary of being a kingmaker.
The APC Group Launches A Campaign Against Tinubu, Claiming He Does Not Support A Single Nigeria
However, an intriguing aspect is an internal opposition to Tinubu.
Saleh Mandung Zazzaga is a forum comprised of some APC leaders and members in the North Central zone. According to the forum, it does not believe in Tinubu’ s presidency because he previously stated that he did not believe in a unified Nigeria.
While recognising that the forum cannot prevent him from contesting, it asked Tinubu to apologise for the statement, which has been referred to since he announced his intention to run for president.
According to The Whistler, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, speaking on behalf of the forum on Monday, January 24, in Jos, Plateau’ s capital, referred to previous statements made by Tinubu, recalling that ” On April 13th, 1997, Tinubu granted an interview in which he was quoted as saying, ” I don’ t believe in One Nigeria. ”
And, as a result of his announcement of presidential ambition, that interview has reappeared, people have begun to raise eyebrows and pose questions.
According to the group,
” So many individuals have called and mocked us (the party), claiming that if Tinubu does not believe in One Nigeria, how has he come to believe in it to the point that he wishes to run for the presidency of a Nation he does not believe in?
” This has agitated not just the populace, but even APC members, and it is detrimental to the party’ s health as the country ticks down to the 2023 general election.
” Therefore, the most honourable course of action for Tinubu is to come out and apologise to Nigerians for words he made before the start of this democratic system in 1999. ”
EYA Makes A Commitment To Oppose Tinubu’ s Muslim/Muslim Ambition
Similarly, BAT’ s political ambitions are under threat from the Nigerian Ecumenical Youth Association (EYA).
JoseyWrites learned via December 27, 2021, SaharaReporters published that the group has promised to work against Tinubu, claiming his body language in support of a Muslim/Muslim ticket reeks of an insensitive leader in a multi- religious community like Nigeria.
The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum Endorses The Southeast Presidency And Kicks Tinubu
Another more vociferous opponent of Tinubu’ s desire is the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, a sociopolitical organisation based on Tinubu’ s political base in the southwest area.
The forum, in a statement signed by its president, Mr Akin Malaolu, and made accessible to Vanguard in Abuja on Tuesday, stated that they will not be duped into supporting any other presidential aspirant other than the southeast regional candidate.
Recalling that former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had expressed interest, the Forum regarded the move as a potentially troublesome adventure, even though it respected the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC’ s right to follow his dream.
The statement, titled ” Tinubu’ s Presidential Ambition is a Perilous Adventure, ” stated as follows:
” It is no longer a matter of speculation that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is interested in becoming Nigeria’ s next president in 2023. As a Nigerian, he is within his rights to pursue it. However, for the sake of clarity, we view the visit to the President as deliberate sabotage designed to unbalance the party’ s current drivers, the progressive governor’ s forum, enlarging already obvious fault lines and sowing discord within.
” This attitude is uncalled for, especially from any democrat deserving of membership in an association at a time when the Nation is seeking peace.
However, the group went on to clarify that presidential interest from any tribe other than the IGBOS risks plunging the country deeper into political difficulty and possibly setting the country on fire if caution is not used.
Additionally, the Yoruba faction emphasised that individuals who regard Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and Tinubu’ s interests as their ” Right” evidently believe that Igbo interests are a ” Hope. ”
Additionally, the group stated that one can only imagine the devastation that such a decision would wreak on 250 million lives and families and how quickly it would destroy the bridges built by southern governors for the common struggle and the understanding of Nigerians in the North and South; ” that our oneness amongst ourselves and within our diversity is more important than the interests of political brigands and their fair- weather allies. ”
As a result, the group pleaded with leaders, primarily in the south, not to engage in the ” Traitor Role. ”
The group, therefore, pleaded with leaders mostly in the south not to play the ” Traitor Role. ”
” We have taken a position to support the IGBO presidency come 2023, the declaration we have also made and we are not going to take it back.
” On Igbo presidency, we still stand. “
