Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), is running for President on account of the ruling party.
He is now up against several formidable opponents for the APC presidential ticket, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and others. As a sensible politician, Tinubu should first make certain moves that would assist him to win the APC ticket.
Tinubu can use his clout to help former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode reclaim the APC gubernatorial nomination for a second term in 2023. This would be a brilliant move that would increase Tinubu’s prospects of obtaining the APC presidential nomination. However, a number of events occurred in the run-up to the 2019 general election that prompted Tinubu and other APC bigwigs to ditch Ambode and support Babajide Sanwo-Olu for Governor. All of that, however, is in the past and should be left in the past.
The reality is that Ambode has many followers, including Nigerians who are not members of the APC. In reality, numerous APC governors and other prominent politicians inside and outside the party are dissatisfied with the manner Ambode was handled and refused a second term ticket despite his track record of achievement.
According to sources, several APC governors are contemplating working against Tinubu’s ambition for the ticket since he rejected theirs and President Muhammadu Buhari’s attempts to support Ambode for the ticket in 2019. Because politics is a game of give-and-take, Tinubu’s support for Ambode now might be the game-changer for Tinubu’s ambition to win the APC ticket.
Regarding Sanwo-Olu’s second-term bid, Tinubu and party leaders might persuade him to back Tinubu’s campaign for President. He may forego his second term campaign for the time being in order to assist Tinubu in becoming President, which would give him a prominent government post. Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu might still earn the ticket for his second term since Ambode would only serve one term if he wins the election.
