APC shops for Buhari’s running mate

Chieftains of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) were meeting late yesterday to pick a running mate for its presidential flag bearer General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), various sources said.A caucus meeting over the issue was held behind closed doors at the Lagos House, Marina. Those sighted at the venue of the meeting by our correspondent included […]

Chieftains of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) were meeting late yesterday to pick a running mate for its presidential flag bearer General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), various sources said.
A caucus meeting over the issue was held behind closed doors at the Lagos House, Marina. Those sighted at the venue of the meeting by our correspondent included senators Bukola Saraki and Chris Ngige, governors Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State, Adams Oshiomole of Edo and
the host Babatunde Fashola, as well as Malam Nasir el-Rufai.
A source close to the meeting which started late evening, told our
correspondent that the leadership of the party decided to come up with a running mate for the presidential candidate this weekend, hence the marathon meeting attendby potential vice presidential candidates.
One of the sources said APC was out to pick a running mate that is popular and not controversial.
Meanwhile, there were indications that Governor Amaechiwas the likely choice as Buhari’s running mate.
The choice of Amaechi by Buhari, it was reliably gathered, is to scuttle PDP’s belief that the south-south and the south-east would be easier for the PDP to win next year’s general elections.
However, some APC leaders want Governor Fashola as they believe that a Buhari and Fashola presidential ticket, if they win the presidential election, will be goodfor Nigeria, based on the duo’s credentials.
Three top APC officials said off the record all the five presidential aspirants had agreed on the Rivers State governor before voting started at the national convention on Thursday.
One of them said all the aspirants also agreed that there would not be a same-faith ticket for whoever emerged as the flag bearer.