By our reporter


The jostle for the control of the National Chairmanship ticket of the ruling APC has taken a new dimension with numerous  interest groups seeking a new zoning formular to brighten their presidential aspirations come 2023. To that effect, some underground plots are being perfected to rezone the chairmanship outside the South South. 

Until his ouster recently following the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole held the position on behalf of the South South geo-political zone. By convention and existing traditions, another candidate from the South South was expected to take over and complete the tenure. 

Investigations have, however, revealed that based on the political calculations for 2023, some influential party leaders are reportedly pushing vigorously for the rezoning of the national chairmanship slot to suit their political interests.

 Such moves run against the existing understanding and wisdom in the party. And it has a huge potential to re-ignite further crises which is not in the best interest of the ruling APC.  It is believed that a prominent leader of the party from the South West who is interested in the 2023 presidential race, is scheming seriously to have the chairmanship slot zoned to the South East to preclude the zone from the presidential race. 

A party stakeholder in Abuja, Chief George Ohikere, stated: "The race for 2023 has started with the current permutations on the chairmanship. The plot to zone the chairmanship to the South East is to thwart the presidential aspiration of the zone and make it dead on arrival".

On the other hand, a particular party strong man from the South South who is also believed to harbour presidential ambition, is also pushing for the chairmanship to go to North Central to pave way for his aspiration. Based on all these cold permutations, pressure is being mounted on the Governor Buni-led National Caretaker Committee of the APC to move the chairmanship slot outside the South South.

 These moves, however, are being resisted by well meaning party leaders who believe that retaining the slot in the South South would ensure unity, equity and stability in the party. Influential party leaders like Governors El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi are said to be in support of the retention of the chairmanship in the South South. 

As the days unfold, it will be seen how the APC would be able to navigate through the turbulent political waters. Watchers of events in the party believe that retaining the chairmmanship ticket in the South South is the only way the APC can maintain it's cohesion and unity in the days ahead.