Aso Rock 2011: THE CONTENDERS, THE PRETENDERS (1)

As we march towards the new dispensation and the general elections draw near, few notable political gladiators in the world's most populated black country are busy jostling and declaring their interest to be the next occupier of the presidential villa in the nation's capital, Abuja.

While some have publicly made known their mission, and now busy criss-crossing the nooks and crannies of the country to garner the support of the electorates, others prefer to sit on the fence to see the outcome of the request made by INEC for the postponement of the elections.

Also, some are using the socio-media networks to garner support and launch their electioneering campaigns. Though, mudslinging and brick-batting are fast becoming the main thrust of issues on the networks, the touted presidential debate have thus become inevitable.

This week, The Politicos presents the contenders and the pretenders  to the Aso Rock Villa:

ATIKU ABUBAKAR

The former vice president was recently given a waiver to contest in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries. After the Turaki of Adamawa dumped the Action Congress (AC) for the ruling party, he was shut out by the Adamawa state chapter of the party. But, he was rescued by the National Executive Committee of the party few days back.

Now, the two-term vice president, who has already flagged off his campaigns, equally declared that he would make things happen. And, he's one of the aspirants that have taken the electioneering campaign to the social media networks.

In 2007, ex-vice president Abubakar contested for the nation's number one political office under the platform of the Action Congress (now Action Congress of Nigeria), after he was locked out and outrightly banned from the election process of being the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the former president Obasanjo.

The bitter feud between ex-President Obasanjo and Atiku was then so fierce that it took the former vice-president several litigations in court to get himself freed and contested the last presidential election in 2007.

However, informed political insiders told The Politicos last week that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not politically strong now as he was in 2007. “Many of his experienced combatant foot soldiers have abandoned him. And, he has equally lost the goodwill he hitherto enjoyed, when he ran back to the PDP,” she submitted.

The Politicos gathered that Turaki's core supporters like Chief Audu Ogbeh (former national chairman of the PDP) and Chief Tom Ikimi, the national chairman of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), who all defected from the PDP to AC with him, have refused to go back to the ruling party with him.

Also, his running mate in the 2007 elections, Senator Ben Obi, is now said to be a core ally of Alhaji Gusau, the former National Security Adviser (NSA), who is also in the race. His long standing political associate, Chief Dapo Sarumi, is the Director of Mobilization of Jonathan  Sambo Campaign Organization in the South West.

Since 1991, Alhaji Abubakar had nursed the ambition of being the number one citizen of Nigeria. It took the intervention of the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua for him to step down for the late Chief M.K.O Abiola at the Jos primaries of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).

IBRAHIM SHEKARAU

The two-term governor of Kano State, who is known for his simplicity, is said to believe that after his exit from the governance of the northern state, his next destination should be the centre stage.

And, the one-time school teacher-turned-politico is now busy consulting with notable political players across the country on his planned ambition.

Even, within his party, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Kano Governor, we gathered, is believed to be the only serious candidate that has indicated his interest in the presidency comes 2011.

Nonetheless, The Politicos was told last week that the Sardauna of Kano, Governor Shekarau had confided in many of his close associates that he would step down for retired General Ibrahim Babangida if the former military President can dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

DELE MOMODU

Celebrated celebrity writer and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Africa's leading celebrity journal, has openly declared his interest in the presidency comes 2011. And, the Edo-born media entrepreneur is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to be the president of the country.

Chief Dele Momodu, the Bashorun of Oke-Ila Orangun in Osun State, is believed to be one of the few Nigerian political elites who actually suffered for the civil rule we now have in Nigeria.

The highly gifted celebrity writer was chased out of the country after the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election by the satanic agents of the late goggled ruler. From Ghana, where he first fled, the one-time Classique Magazine editor then moved to the United Kingdom, where Ovation Magazine was born.

Bashorun Dele Momodu, who was one of the brains behind Radio Kudirat during the dark era of the late maximum ruler, is now jostling to be the next occupier of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. And, he's contesting on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

As we begin the march towards the 2011 general elections, the political space is now undoubtedly charged and combatively activated with contending and pretending players, engaging in high-wired intrigues, calculations, permutations, all-conquering strategies and political engineering that seemly has the semblance of a warfare.

And, with all these wrapped-up in the pedigree manners and personality of these politicos scrambling to be the next occupier of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2011, then, the political turf, which has always suffered, may as well be battle ready, for, what that could be worse than the 'do or die' elections of 2007.

However, this week again, The Politicos presents the presidential contenders and the pretenders who are busy on and outside the soap box:

GENERAL ALIYU GUSAU

The Zamfara State-born retired three-star army general is now back on the familiar turf. In the presidential party primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, the former army chief was one of the visible contestants, before the former President, Chief Obasanjo and the then PDP leadership coerced other aspirants into supporting the candidacy of the late president Yar'Adua.

The former National Security Adviser (NSA) is however, not among the visible contending aspirants. But, the intelligence generalissimo is marching on in his quest to be the number one citizen in the country.

And few days back, the retired army general appointed Senator Ben Obi, the presidential running mate of the Action Congress (AC) flagbearer in the 2007 presidential election, as his campaign manager.

Political insiders disclosed that the one-time member of the upper legislative house is known to be a vibrant egg head and expert in espionage activities.

GOVERNOR BUKOLA ABUBAKAR SARAKI

The two-term governor of the North Central State of Kwara, and one-time Chairman of the Conference of the Governors, is leaving no stone unturned in his aspiration of being the standard bearer of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming presidential contest.

The medical doctor-turned-politico, who vehemently believed that the zoning policy of the PDP should be strictly adhere to, is said to be having the tacit support of some serving governors, who are members of his party. And, that, the governors have sworn to deliver their state's delegates for him.

But, some highly informed political insiders believed that the one-time special adviser on budget matters to ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo may have mounted the soap box just to serve as decoy to another candidate. And, their argument is premised on the fact that the Kwara State Governor is of Yoruba extraction like Obasanjo.

Some however, stated categorically that the former executive vice-chairman of the liquidated Societe Generale Bank is a bonafide northerner, who is qualified under the controversial zoning policy to vie for the presidency.

The Politicos also gathered that some governors see Dr. Bukola Saraki as a thorough-bred intellectual, strategist and accomplished administrator that can take Nigeria out of the woods.

REV. CHRIS OKOTIE

In the 80s, when this highly gifted Bible Teacher burst into the music scene with his monster hit, “I Need Someone”, which was produced by the legendary Odion Iruoje with instruments back-up from the all-time great pop music group, BLO, little did anyone foresee the one-time Pop music superstar working in the vineyard of God nor becoming a visible figure in politics.

Before he found Christ and later founded the celebrated House of God Church, Chris Okotie had produced other music hits like “Goodbye Teacher” and the remix of James Taylor's song, “Carolina”.

Nonetheless, despite his success in the secular music world and on the pulpit, as the Senior Pastor at the Household of God, Reverend Chris Okotie equally recorded a failure in his first marital experience.

In 2003, the man of God first contested for the presidency and failed. And in 2007, he contested again. But, under the platform of his own party, which he christened Fresh Party. And, with his rejuvenated figure, freshness and the experience earlier garnered, the highly knowledgeable politico put up an appreciable showing at the presidential contest.

Now that the 2011 general elections are around the corner, the leader of the fresh party has once again flagged off his campaign for the presidency. And, without any iota of doubt, the presidential contest is fast becoming a familiar turf for the one-time pop music superstar.

GENERAL MOHAMMADU BUHARI

The former military dictator is now being thumbed up as the most consistent, visible, disciplined presidential aspirants in the country.

Since 2002, when he ventured into politics and joined the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), under which platform he contested for the presidential seat in 2003, the former head of state is said to have used the rule of law as his guiding lights.

In the 2003 elections, he lost to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Instead of resorting to self-help, the retired army general challenged Obasanjo's victory at the courts. And, the election petition lingered for many months until it was finally decided at the apex court.

Also, in 2007, General Buhari remained the standard bearer of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In that year, he jostled for the presidency along with others, which included Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC), now Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of the PDP, who won the contest.

General Buhari also contested the result of the election. And, he legally fought the battle again to the apex court, where the justices of the Supreme Court, in a split decision, ruled against him.

Once again, the revered disciplinarian and highly principled politico, is vying for the presidency. But, this time, the one-time petroleum minister is contesting under the platform of the party which he recently founded- Congress of Progressive Change (CPC).

As we approach the May 29, 2011 hand-over date for the commencement of new dispensation, the electoral act that would serve as the framework for the general election is still in the legislative workshop and seemly far away from reality.

And, also in the midst of this palpable uncertainty, the same constitution amendment, still being worked on by the legislative houses, has equally gotten entangled in legal quagmire.

Amidst these bottlenecks, the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), became seriously apprehensive about the simmering delay, which may eventually affect the time table of the elections.

And, despite the summon by the Senate, Prof. Jega's INEC has tacitly issued a caveat on the likely outcome of the forthcoming elections. The body categorically stated that any further delay in amending the constitution will outrightly affect the much expected fairness and credibility of the polls.

However, despite the non-availability of the new electoral act, a framework required for the conduct of the elections, and which has obviously hindered the release of party guidelines to prospective office seekers, a few number of top politicos are coming out to signify their intention of vying for the highest political office in the land. Let's mount the soap box:

DONALD DUKE

The two-term former governor of Cross River State was one of the aspirants that was coerced by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to step down for the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Ex-Governor Donald Duke, who became the governor of Cross River State in 1999 and got re-elected under the same PDP umbrella in 2003, later sought for the party's presidential ticket in 2007. But, he along with a few others, were made to abandon their aspiration by the ruling party leadership.

Political insiders now claimed that the politico is now set to take a shot at the presidency again. But, the former governor, we learnt, has moved onto another platform to realize his ambition. Former Governor Duke is now said to be strategizing on how to pick the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP), as he's said to be busy putting up structures in all the states.

HARRY AKANDE

Ibadan (Oyo State) born business mogul, who few weeks back lost the chairmanship seat of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to Dr. Ogbonaya Onu from Ebonyi State, has re-directed his energy into getting the presidential ticket of his party, ANPP.`

Few days ago, the billionaire businessman, signified his intention to vie for the presidency under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Chief Harry Akande, we however gathered, is fast becoming a regular face in the presidential race.  Since, he joined politics, the bizman has become a recurring figure in the presidential contest. And, many are now wondering what could be the motive of Chief Akande in the time and money consuming political venture.

And, for a man from his race (The Yoruba) to have been at the saddle of leadership of 8 years (between 1999 and 2007), many could still not comprehend what the mission of Chief Akande is in the journey to Aso Rock.

SARAH JUBRIL

This political amazon is believed to be the only woman that has consistently vied for the nation's number one job.

In the last two general elections, Mrs. Sarah Jubril was a regular feature. She actively participated in the presidential elections of 2003 and 2007 and as we prepared for the 2011 elections, the politicos have again signified her intention of competing in the presidential contest.

In 2003, Mrs. Sarah Jubril contested in the PDP Presidential primaries of the year but lost to the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. And, in 2007 elections, she left PDP for PAC on which platform she contested for the presidency. Also, she lost to ex-President Obasanjo.

Now, Mrs. Sarah Jubril is back in the fold of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). And, she's said to vie again for the party ticket.

November 04, 2010