Who The APC Must Field As Vice President

A few days ago I revealed APC's thinking on those we are likely going to fielding as our presidential flag bearer. Today I will reveal our line of thinking for vice presidency (not my opinion). In the Nigerian political space today, many people view the office of the vice president as an appendage, not useful in steering the ship of the Nigerian state in the direction needed for it to go. I don't blame anyone for thinking that way, what do you expect when you have an inept, weak and docile president that has literarily sedated the office of the Vice President? Many Nigerians today don't even know who their vice president is, because his "oga at the top" has not driven leadership to a level where he (VP) can stamp his feet as a vice leader. Unlike the PDP, the APC as a party recognizes the importance of this office as well as the importance of fielding the right vice presidential candidate that would fulfill the following fundamental criteria:

1. Someone with proven result-oriented leadership abilities.

2. Someone who can garner enough votes to add to what the presidential flag-bearer's cout/region/achievements will rake in.

3. Someone who is capable of being the next president of Nigeria and consolidating the ship of leadership from his predecesor
Recall, I and many others in the APC advocated for a Northern presidential candidate, kindly refer to previous thread and newspaper publications to know the reasons for that position. That said, my best pick for a vice presidential candidate would be either of the following according to my preference:

1. Governor Fashola Raji Babatunde - He is not only popular through out Nigeria, but very popular in the west. He is sure to rake in votes to ensure an APC victory if Nigerians become docile to the religious propaganda by the PDP. Fashola has a proven result and action oriented leadership. He is sure to work with a Nigerian president to steer Nigeria to the path of development and prosperity for all its people. Finally, Fashola will make a great Nigerian president, if the president completes his tenure.

2. Governor Kayode Fayemi - Ekiti used to be a state in a mini wars, where thugs, criminals and political thieves had taken over. This ended when Fayemi took over, he has brought Ekiti to an enviable stand in Nigeria today. His style of leadership is admired through out the country especially in Yoruba land. He will surely make a good VP and is well capable of becoming of the president of the country when the time comes.

 

3. Governor Adams Oshiomole - He is also very popular through out the country especially in the SW and SS. His "Go and die" meme has even further promoted the "I-take-no-nonsense" leader that he is. He not only went out to enforce the law with his officers, he demonstrated humility after being chastized by the media for his over-the-board actions. Edo was in a state of a political euthanesia administered by Lucky Igbenidion and co who looted the common wealth of the state. The remarkable changes are obvious for all to see.

4. Governor Rochas Owelle - This is my last but not the least. He will help us with votes in the East, but not in the SW. He recently said he wants indigbo to be fielded as vice president. This is not going to be possible with the APC and it will not happen. Doing that would be political suicide, because already Indigbo will massively vote for Jonathan no matter what, and fielding Owelle will make us loose our strong hold - SW. Other than that, Owelle is a great leader and would make a great president when the time comes, the remarkable transformation and social welfare going on in Imo is a clear attestation to that.

ANALYSIS

We are well aware of the potential harm a Muslim/Muslim ticket may do to us. The politics in Nigeria is not matured enough for the electorate to look beyond religion by focusing on credibility and performance at this time. For this reason, Fashola maybe off the ticket of the Vice Presidency because our presidential candidate MUST come from the North. That said, we are not excluding the possibility of Fashola for VP, we will weigh all the sides of the coin before making that decision.

Secondly, a lot of people think Rochas will do us real good in locking down South-Eastern votes; I must say the polls do not show us that. Already Igbos see him as a betrayal. They even view him as a northerner and joining the APC has worsened that hatred. No matter what he does in Imo, Indigbo will vote overwhelmingly for Jonathan. The polls at the grassroot has shown us that. over 90% of social media-savy indigbo has shown us that as well. You will notice that even with a fake degree and proven corruption charge by one of "their own" - Stella Oduah, some are still ready to die for her to defend her evil deeds. We are going to campaign in the SE and SS but we are not banking on votes from Igbos, no matter who we present. The only thing that would make us get Indigbo votes is if the APC fields an Igbo president. This unfortunately, will only guarantee us victory in the South East but Failure in our strong holds - SW and North.

Secondly, The middle belt is going to be a fierce battle, but once we get our political calculations right we believe we will get nothing less than 40% or even ursup the PDP. We must consolidate our popularity in the South West and the entire North as a topmost priority and then work on votes we can get in the MB, SS and SE. We have a good chance because our strong holds have the numbers, and data from the past has shown that Northerners and SWners are 2 - 3X more likely to show up to vote than eligible voters in the SE/SS. Internet noise does not guarantee people will vote. However, we are happy that any support we get now is likely to be a vote for us in the regions I have mentioned, at least that is what the electoral data shows.

Thirdly, Amaechi has played and continues to play a very crucial role in our politics. However, I would not want to comment on his VP candidacy at this time. That said, we in the APC love him and will continue to support his political ambitions.

Finally, The above analysis is largely APC's and my thinking as well. My dream for Nigeria is to see a time when we will outgrow ethnic and religious politics. Personally, I don't mind an atheist or agnostic ruling us. It would definitely not water down our religious values because we have a House of Rep made up of both Christians and Muslims that will regulate any non-faith excesses by the executive. Nevertheless, at this crucial time we must play the political card Nigeria understands to win elections, and that is selecting competent and popular candidates whilst putting into consideration their geopolitical zones and religion. We cannot take chances, we MUST win! Victoria acerta!