APC Chairmanship: Who Wears the Crown?

As the date for the much-anticipated national convention of the All Progressives Congress draws closer with the scheduled September 4 local government congresses across the states, Nseobong Okon-Ekong wonders who will emerge National Chairman of the party

The National Secretary of the All ProgressivesCongress (APC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe has issued a statement, which announces approved guidelines and commencement of the local government area congresses in all States of the federation. The notice also harps on a three-man delegation to the national convention. With this, the structure of the party is gradually taking shape. Once this is done, the focus, once again will shift to the chairmanship position to kickstart, which will kick-start the politics of 2023.

Going by the array of eminent persons seeking the Office of the National Chairmanof the APC, it is going to be a keenly contested election, as the party is determined to return to power at the centre. The next National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, asides from preparing the party for the 2023 general elections will have to deal with an enormous issues inherited from the past leadership and ensuring that the party truly lives up to its ‘progressives’ credentials beyond just the name.

The Chairman will be saddled with the responsibility of changing the current perception among Nigerians, rekindle the hope and confidence of chieftains in the party and more importantly give a level playing ground to all the presidential aspirants during the presidential convention in cases where consensus cannot be achieved.

The ultimate goal is to secure victory for the party in 2023. To achieve this, old wounds must be healed and an emergency response unit must be set up to cater to those who will sustain fresh injuries during and after the general elections.

Among the candidates jostling for the position of the party’s national chairman are Senators Abdullahi Adamu, Tanko Al-Makura, George Akume, Mohammed Sani Musa and Danjuma Goje. Also in the race is Mallam Mustapha Salihu and former governors, Ali Modu Sheriff and Abdulaziz Yari.

These candidates are eminently qualified and they have served the party in one capacity or the other. All the candidates are former governors with the exception of Senator Sani Musa and Alhjai Saliu Mustapha. Being former governors, they will bring to the fore their meritorious years of leading their states and the party can benefit immensely from their experience. However, the perception of overzealousness, corruption baggage and authoritarianism as witnessed during the leadership of former governor Adams Oshiomhole may affect their endorsement by members and leaders of the party. There is also the hint that President Muhammadu Buhari may not be favourably disposed to a former governor as National Chairman of the APC.

On the other hand, Mallam Saliu Mustapha will bring with him three years of experience as a former deputy chairman of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and a member of the defunct All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP). Unlike the other candidates, the Kwara-born politician in recent times has not shown much interest in making public his intentions and agenda to clinch the top party position.

Meanwhile, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa from Niger State has featured predominantly in the national dailies as one of the strong candidates for the APC chairmanship position. The North-central region is being touted by pundits as the preferred region to produce the next chairman of the party.

Sen. Sani Musa represents, a serving senator representing the people of Niger East Senatorial District in the 9th Senate is the Chairman Senate Services Committee.

Much has been said about his sterling qualities and ability to lead the party and a lot has also been left unsaid on his impeccable patriotism to his country and party.

Sani Musa has remained visible and consistent in envisioning a radical departure from the docility and obstinacy that was the hallmark of the past administrator of the party in resolving delicate issues that requires tact and reconciling aggrieved members.

The challenges that come with inheriting a party of diverse culture with a potential to be enveloped with protracted crisis requires a technocrat and a politician with the prerequisite leadership skills of the modern era – one that is vibrant, focus driven, devoid of godfatherism and a fabric unstained of corruption.

In retrospect, the APC cannot afford a repeat of the past, the party is going through a new metamorphosis on the account of the ongoing reconciliation efforts and recent ‘decampees’ into the party ahead of its national convention. The egos and expectations of these gladiators must be managed in such a way as to avoid a possible implosion of the party. In addition, the opposition party is regrouping and playing to the gallery by capitalizing on the past challenges of the APC to whip up public sympathy.

Sen. Sani Musa’s rich experience in managing people will come handy. He’s a goal-oriented person; energetic, inventive and a workaholic. Having demonstrated a high level of integrity and discipline, he remains a valid choice for the APC to begin the rebuilding process; build mutual trust, friendship and respect among our party members and Nigerians as a whole.

It is expected that more aspirants will declare their intention to contest the APC chairmanship position as the national convention draws nearer, no doubt Sani Musa towers above them all and he’s expected to weather the storm successfully by becoming the choice of his party men and other stakeholders within the party.

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However, the perception of overzealousness, corruption baggage and authoritarianism as witnessed during the leadership of former governor Adams Oshiomhole may affect their endorsement by members and leaders of the party. There is also the hint that President Muhammadu Buhari may not be favourably disposed to a former governor as National Chairman of the APC