Afeez AzeezTo be the number one citizen of the most populous black nation on earth is definitely not a child’s play. Aspirants for the nation’s top seat need wide consultations and endorsements of big political gladiators. In a democratic setting, it’s a man, a vote, but the endorsement or blessing of certain figures can influence the decision of some groups in the country. Here are five visitations that are strategic to the presidential ambition of some presidential aspirants witnessed in January:
1. Tinubu’s visit to President Buhari
The National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC) visited President Buhari on the 10th of January. This closed-door meeting he had with the President was not just strategic but also a masterstroke to his presidential ambition because he formally declared his intention to run for the country’s top seat after the meeting. Bola Tinubu will be expecting the President to reciprocate the overwhelming support he gave to his presidential bids in 2015 and 2019.
2. Kalu’s visit to President Buhari
The former Governor of Anambra, Orji Uzor Kalu, paid President Buhari a visit on the 18th of January. On his social media page, he revealed that his visit to the President was to discuss major national issues. However, considering the recent declaration of his intention to run for the presidency, such a tête-à-tête with the President won’t just be to discuss national issues. Still, it will equally be an avenue to discuss his presidential ambition with the President.
3. Tinubu’s visit to General Ibrahim Babangida
APC chieftain and presidential aspirant Bola Tinubu visited the former Head of State, General Babangida, on the 20th of January during his visit to Niger state to commiserate with the Governor and the people of Niger State following the recent killings by bandits in some communities in Niger. After the meeting, Tinubu said General Babangida prayed for success for his presidential ambition.
4. Visit of Abubakar Bukola Saraki Contact and Advocacy Council to Edwin Clark
On the 29th of January, this council paid the Ijaw National Leader, Edwin Clark, a courtesy visit to inform him about the plan of the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to contest the 2023 presidential election. This visit was very strategic as the stateman reported to have pledged his support for Saraki if the South fails to come up with a consensus candidate.
5. Visit of Osinbajo to Late Musa Yar’adua’s Mother
Vice President Osinbajo paid the mother of Late President Umar Musa Yar’adua a courtesy visit on the 30th of January. This visit was strategic because the Yar’adua dynasty is one of the highly revered families in northern Nigeria. Although the eloquent Vice President has not publicly declared his intention to run for the number one office, but visits like this and other moves of his supporters point to the fact that he is interested in running to succeed his boss in 2023.
The month of January witnessed more declarations from aspirants: former Governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha; Bala Muhammed and Aminu Tambual, governors of Bauchi and Sokoto, respectively have also joined the race. More consultations by aspirants are expected as we draw closer to the general polls in 2023.
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