2015: Shocker awaits Tambuwal 'Plot to deny him waiver thickens

WITH the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled to round off the party's nomination exercise, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, may end up losing out on all fronts.Though still sitting as a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has not hidden his eventual resolve to pitch his tent with the opposition mega party, to which his home state governor, Aliyu Wamakko, had also defected.Tambuwal and Wamakko are political soul mates and the lawmaker had all along been projected as the successor to Wamakko before his reported current foray into the presidential contest.A member of the National Working Committee of the APC told Sunday Tribune that the party already had enough worries on how to manage the presidential ambitions of General Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Kano governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso, without post-primary crisis, to add Tambuwal's.The party chieftain revealed that the leaders had to devise a way of not adding Tambuwal to the expected post-primary crises, without bruising his ego, since he had been of tremendous assistance to the opposition in the lower house.He disclosed that plans had been concluded to ease him out of the race during screening when he is expected to apply for waiver to contest the primaries since he would be treated as a new member.He said that out of concern, APC leaders who appreciated his contributions even as a PDP member, had tactically given him hints of the disappointment that awaits him as a presidential aspirant, with a few even reportedly urging him to contest the Sokoto governorship seat.He allegedly rebuffed the admonition, reportedly citing assurances from top opposition leaders across the country, particularly the South-West.He allegedly told a chieftain of the APC that the admonition to contest the governorship was packaged by other presidential aspirants who are uncomfortable by his imminent entry into the presidential race.The party however said it would wait for Tambuwal to declare for it and pick the presidential nomination form before the issue of his expected waiver would be discussed.Party spokesperson, Mr Lai Mohammed, told Sunday Tribune that the party would determine the Speaker's fate when the time is ripe.'Tambuwal has not joined us. He has not publicly announced his membership of APC. When he does and he picks presidential form, then we would decide if he gets waiver or not'.Meanwhile, the South-West caucus of the party is divided over the presidential ambitions of Buhari, Atiku, Tambuwal and Kwakwanso, Sunday Tribune has learnt.While the National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is said to be backing Buhari for the ticket, Tambuwal is also being linked to him.National party officials from the zone are also split between Buhari and Atiku.A member, close to Tinubu, told Sunday Tribune he is solidly Atiku.'No one can compel anybody. After the Oando issue, it is now everybody for himself, God for all. I am backing Atiku and mobilizing for him. It is not a secret thing.
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