El-Rufai Upsets Permutations Of Buhari’s Men

By Emmanuel Aziken

Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s support of a Southerner as a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari may have upended the 2023 political permutations of some of the incumbent president’s close political navigators famously known as the cabal.

The cabal’s permutations, which are believed to project Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as a successor to Buhari, according to multiple sources, may have, however, only have temporarily indented the project.

“It is a setback, but it is not destroyed,” a source said of the intention of some powerful men around the president to sustain their political relevance beyond the Buhari administration.

El-Rufai had in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, affirmed his support for a Southerner as successor to Buhari, saying it was untenable for another Northerner to succeed Buhari based on the unwritten principle of rotation.

The assertion, according to sources, may have further damaged the relationship between the Kaduna State governor and the cabal, which in any case had never been very cordial.

Governor El-Rufai’s declaration it was learnt has helped to focus attention on reported 2023 presidential gladiators with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Kayode Fayemi being the leading names from the Southwest being mentioned for the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential ticket.

The declaration it is claimed in certain quarters may have also strengthened El-Rufai as a running mate to the South’s probable choice. 

Governor El-Rufai, who had in the past famously disagreed and poked Tinubu, it is claimed in certain quarters in the North, may have with his declaration positioned himself as a running mate to Dr. Fayemi.

However, a Lagos based associate of the Ekiti State governor was quick to dismiss the match-up saying on Friday, “It has not come to that.”

Dr. Fayemi’s probable aspiration it was gathered, remains a long shot in the opinion of some political stakeholders who say that the project is challenged by finance and the intimidation of the cabal.

While Fayemi is boosted by the support of fellow governors for the project, a former senator privy to the developments said that the Fayemi project is susceptible to damage from the cabal who could compel governors to pull away.

“When the cabal breathes down on the governors, you will see them begin to distance themselves,” the source said.

However, beyond the projection of Fayemi, sources say that El-Rufai’s declaration could engender a political rivalry in the Southwest that would pitch Dr. Fayemi and Tinubu into a battle that would lead to acrimony that would force Northern aspirants to step into the race.

“Mark you, the Southern candidates will start a fight that they will not be able to finish, which will lead the Northern aspirants to step in. At that point, even El-Rufai will not be bound by whatever declaration he had made in the past when the southerners fail to come up with a choice,” the former senator said.

“Mark my word, the APC candidate will come from the North because the South will not be able to reach an agreement on the issue, and sooner than later, you will see it.”

However, an Abuja based, but Katsina born stakeholder who spoke on the basis of anonymity said that the only threat to the cabal besides the vituperation of El-Rufai could come when the South is able to forge unity with the Middle-Belt to check the aspiration of the cabal.

“That is the only thing that can stop them. Not El-Rufai’s declaration. If they come up, the cabal cannot do anything at that point,” the source said.

It was gathered that the options of the cabal at that point would be directed towards their close pals in the Southwest.

One name that has been repeatedly mentioned in that case has been Senator Ibikunle Amosun, one of Buhari’s closest political associates in the Southwest and whose relationship with Buhari predates the formation of the APC.

“Mark my words, one way or the other, Amosun would emerge as a factor in 2023. Look at it who can the cabal trust in the Southwest and be comfortable with among the gladiators?”

Amosun’s personal relationship with the president is famously depicted by the image of the former governor of Ogun State laughing with President Buhari in his office after the president cancelled a long-planned visit to Lagos in June 2016 with the excuse of an earache.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG