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| Tinubu and Atiku |
The battle for the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress is getting fiercer by the day, pitting former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against erstwhile Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Supporters of both Atiku and Tinubu have begun massive and comprehensive mobilization for their candidates.
Some leaders of the APC, it was gathered at the weekend, believe that the position of BoT chairman should be used to placate Senator Tinubu having lost out in his bid to produce the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Tinubu’s anointed candidate for the Senate Presidency, Dr. Ahmed Lawan lost out to Dr. Bukola Saraki, while his preferred candidate for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila was defeated by Hon Yakubu Dogara (APC, Bauchi).
However, some other persons within the party leadership argue that the position should be thrown open for a transparent contest.
It was further learnt that supporters of both Atiku and Tinubu are not taking the issue lightly as they have begun massive campaign, lobbying stakeholders intensely.
Those who are sympathetic to Atiku for the position are quick to point to the fact that Tinubu produced the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, single handed. They argue that a neutral person should be allowed to emerge as the BoT Chairman so as to have an alternative voice.
But the pro-Tinubu argument is that he has made a lot of sacrifices for the APC and therefore deserves to be honoured with the position.
A top member of the Party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to the Daily Times in Abuja that the lobby for the position has indeed begun.
The source added: “Any of the two personalities could efficiently man the position. They are both widely connected and have made sacrifices for the party. Any of them who emerges will be an asset to the party”.
The BoT is an advisory organ of the party.
One of its duties is to be offering necessary guide and advice to the party when the need arises
