The race for the Vice-President’s position heated up yesterday, even as arrangements were made to lay the body of the former president to rest.PHOTO: NUHU RIBADU
It emerged yesterday that several groups used Mr. Yar’Adua’s burial as a forum to lobby and express interest in the job. Some of the groups who have started lobbying include the PDP, the northern political group, Arewa political forum, and the family of the deceased former president.
As many as 20 names were bandied about yesterday in the nation’s capital, and all the groups have drawn up shortlists which they will submit to the president.
Theophilus Danjuma, Yayale Ahmed, and Nuhu Ribadu have emerged as early favourites to be appointed vice president as early as next week. Other names that were rumoured were Aminu Masari, Nasir El-Rufai, Aliyu Gusau, Adamu Aliero, Bukola Saraki, and Isa Yuguda.
Theophilus Danjuma, a Christian northerner, would be a surprise choice, given that he prefers to be more of a kingmaker. He has certainly earned the president’s trust after he was named chair of the presidential advisory board.
Yayale Ahmed, the secretary general of the federation, has played a pivotal role in the transition of power to Goodluck Jonathan. He would be seen as a safe pair of hands to steady the ship over the next twelve months.
During Yar’Adua’s three month visit to Saudi, Yayale largely handled the administration of state affairs in the late president’s absence.
Nuhu Ribadu would be a populist choice and NEXT has exclusively reported that he was already earmarked for a role in Jonathan’s administration.
The intention had been to appoint him as a special adviser on anti-corruption, but the dynamics of power have changed in the past 48 hours. Widely seen as an incorruptible individual, his presence in the vice-president’s position would considerably raise the nation’s profile internationally. Furthermore, he would no longer have the stigma of a court case hanging over him, as the federal government officially withdrew all charges against him a few days ago.
The recently returned Nasir El-Rufai would also be a widely accepted pick. Unlike Ribadu however, he must still contend with charges brought against him by the EFCC if he is to realistically stand a chance. The former FCT minister has remained coy about his political ambitions over the next year, but has firmly stated that he would return in some capacity.
Aliyu Gusau has been more overt about his intentions for higher office, but he lost out to Yar’Adua in 2007 after contesting for president. He was surprisingly appointed National Security Adviser by Jonathan in February, and many saw that as a stepping stone to the vice presidency, and to something ultimately higher. At 68, Mr. Gusau is a shrewd politician and would fit in to the role with aplomb.
The Yar’Adua family is believed to have nominated the Bauchi state governor, Isa Yuguda, but his chances are not believed to be particularly good.
The former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, is a dark horse in the race, but certainly has the credentials to be considered. Another Obasonjo confidante, Mr. Masari has been a very vocal champion of electoral reform, a key policy in Jonathan’s fledgling administration. A Katsina State indigene, he is one of the suspended members of the PDP reform forum and had a poor relationship with Yar’Adua.
Mr.Saraki, a member of the Governors’ Forum, has long harboured ambitions for the presidency and this may be an opportunity for him to fulfil his ambition. The Kwara State governor has done some noteworthy things during his tenure, but Mr. Jonathan will be wary of the power that the Governors’ Forum wields.
Comments