Tinubu may go for broke at APC Convention..as he fights Buhari Modu Sherifff over chairmanship spot.
There is serious trouble brewing in the camp of the All progressive Congress(APC). As matter of fact its forthcoming convention may trigger an implosion that may rip the party apart.
As the party struggles to manage its image of a party that is insensitive to religion considering the muslim/muslim package kite flown by some big wigs, the APC top shots are preparing for a showdown at the convention.
The showdown, Pointblanknews.com sources hinted, will be as a result of struggle over structure of the party between the power blocs. The power blocs today are Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on one hand and General Muhamadu Buhari and Senator Modu Sheriff on the other.
Hitherto Tinubu who parades himself as a ceremonial 'leader' of the party to the consternation of men like Modu Sheriff, had favored a situation where some key officers holding interim offices would be unopposed. But Modu Sheriff had insisted there must be an election across board.
This matter led to a heated debate at it last meeting resulting in a shouting match between Modu Sheriff and Tinubu.
Modu Sheriff dislikes Tinubu so bad for two reasons. First he blames Tinubu for handing over party structure to Governor Shettima who is a a godson and presently a political foe, and Tinubu's overbearing nature.
Pointblanknews.com sources also said that the battle line was drawn between the blocs when the APC zoned the chairmanship to the south-south zone.
Sheriff has thrown his political weight behind former External Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi for the exalted position, while Tinubu prefers a former Edo Deputy Governor, John Oyegun.
Interestingly, Oyegun was a member of the defunct ANPP where Modu Sheriff once held sway as chairman BoT, while Ikimi, a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria was chairman of the merger steering committee of the opposition parties which coalesced into APC.
Our source revealed that the former Borno State governor was not happy that he lost out in the battle for the control of the Borno state chapter of the party to his estranged god son and governor of the State, Kashim Shettima.
The former strident opposition to the emergence of Borno governor's choice as chairman of the party in the state was allegedly spurned by the interim national executive of the party led by Bisi Akande.
Sources hinted Pointblankews.com that Tinubu has reached out to the south west Governors to back Oyegun whom he (Tinubu) believes, is softball compared to a tough cookie like Ikimi. But two Governors Babtunde Fashola, Kayode Fayemi are not buying it.
The Buhari/Modu Sheriff group are rooting for Ikimi because they believe he could clip Tinubu. They also believe he could ensure a Buhari ticket or anyone Buhari supports.
Said the source 'Tinubu is not happy with the way things are turning out, He belived he could have his way, but when Sheriff and Buhari opposed him, he knew there was trouble.The convention will determine his next line of action if all his candidates fail. The Sheriff group had vowed to teach Tinubu a political lesson at the convention'
According to our source ' He is wooing the south west Governors but Fashola and Fayemi may not be easy for him.
However, Pointblanknews,com sources hinted that if Tinubu gets a bloody nose he may settle for plan B, just like he did in 2011
'it is a very dicey one. If Tinubu loses out at the convention means his ambition of becoming a VP candiate may crumble with Ikimi on the driver's seat. But the worry is Tinubu may do a trade with the PDP in the south west like he did in 2011. '
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' The APC convention will determine a lot of things. Some top leaders like Ikimi and co are waiting for the convention to determine if they stay or not. The major fight is between the power blocs . The Buhari flank is comfortable with the Modu Sheriff flank they control the north east and north west. so feel they need more influence'