There are speculations that the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is reportedly making moves to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the North.
The source gathered that the ruling party is working towards handing its presidential ticket to an aspirant from the Northeast.
By this doing, only Senate President, Ahmad Lawan is contesting in North East and may likely emerge as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
Those top aspirants contesting for the presidential ticket from the South include Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi among others at the dead end, Newsflash Nigeria understands.
READ ALSO: http://Judge orders DSS to allow Nnamdi Kanu watch UEFA Champions League final
However, the bid to zone the party’s ticket to the Northeast has heightened despite many calls for a Southern candidate.
President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner has ruled the nation for eight years. The choice of another Northern candidate may, however, stir commotion in the current political atmosphere.
Also, with the latest decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to allow ad-hoc delegates to elect presidential candidates at its forthcoming convention, the chances of a northern aspirant emerging as the presidential standard-bearer have brightened even more.
source in the know reportedly disclosed the new zoning arrangement in the APC to THISDAY on Tuesday evening.
The claims further established a recent report about the National Assembly’s latest amendment to the Electoral Act, 2022.
READ ALSO: http://FUNAAB takes over Wole Soyinka forestate
NEWSFLASH NIGERIA understands that the amendment will allow statutory delegates, all those elected to participate and vote in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties, was designed to boost the chances of the Senate President in the 2023 presidential race.
It is believed that the aim of the fresh amendment to the Electoral Act which received accelerated passage at both chambers of the National Assembly, was to increase the chances of Lawan in the party’s presidential primaries and subsequently boost the Party’s chances of retaining in the 2023 presidential elections.
However, if President Muhammadu Buhari assents to the Electoral Act 2022 Amendment Bill before him, which will allow statutory delegates to participate in the presidential primaries the dynamics of the contest will change dramatically in favour of Lawan
The current Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has no role for statutory delegates at the convention.
Statutory or “Super” delegates are elected Councillors, local government chairmen and their vice, party chairmen in the 774 LGAs and six Abuja area councils, state and federal lawmakers, governors and their deputies, president and vice president, NWC members, state party chairmen and secretaries.
The provision in the Principal Act reads: “A political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall clearly outline in its constitution and rule the procedure for the democratic election of delegates to vote at the convention, congress or meeting.
However, if President Muhammadu Buhari assents to the Electoral Act 2022 Amendment Bill before him, which will allow statutory delegates to participate in the presidential primaries the dynamics of the contest will change dramatically in favour of Lawan
The current Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has no role for statutory delegates at the convention.
Statutory or “Super” delegates are elected Councillors, local government chairmen and their vice, party chairmen in the 774 LGAs and six Abuja area councils, state and federal lawmakers, governors and their deputies, president and vice president, NWC members, state party chairmen and secretaries.
The provision in the Principal Act reads: “A political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall clearly outline in its constitution and rule the procedure for the democratic election of delegates to vote at the convention, congress or meeting.