Atiku, Tinubu battles to control APC

Firstclass newsline gathered that there are strong indications that
two power blocs within the All Progressives Congress are now engaged
in a fierce battle for the soul of the party.
A source investigations on Friday revealed that the battle between
the two power blocs to control the party: one led by Asiwaju Ahmed
Tinubu and the other led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,
played out during Tuesday's National Assembly leadership elections.
The ruling party's preferred candidates in both the Senate and the
House of Representatives were defeated by party members who contested
the elections against the wishes of the party.
The battle for supremacy between the two power blocs led to the
emergence of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party's candidate, Ike
Ekweremadu, as the Deputy Senate President.
Firstclass newsline learnt that both Atiku and Tinubu were desperate
to have maximum control over the party structure so that party
decisions could favour them at all times.
It was learnt that the two blocs wanted their candidates to emerge
principal officers of the National Assembly since that would
automatically qualify their candidates to become members of the
party's National Executive Committee, which is the highest decision
arm of the party.
Senator Bukola Saraki emerged the President of the Senate at a time
when leading figures of the party including Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande
and APC Senators as well as members of the House of Representatives
were waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari at the International
Conference Centre for a crucial meeting.
The party's NWC earlier held a shadow election in which Senators Ahmad
Lawan and George Akume emerged as the party's candidates for Senate
President and Deputy Senate President respectively.
But, Atiku,firstclass newsline learnt that Atiku was never in support
of the mock election believed to be spearheaded by the APC national
leader as the former Vice President was bent on breaking Tinubu's
influence on the party's NWC.
As things stand, most of the current members of the APC's National
Working Committee are Tinubu's loyalists.
With the outcome of the National Assembly leadership elections, there
are strong indications that the Tinubu camp, which many agree, boasts
of the likes of Lawan and Akume are not prepared to let the matter
rest.
Sources said the Tinubu camp, though still jolted by its initial
'defeat' would likely spring a surprise in the days ahead.
It was gathered that members of the Senators Unity Forum, who
supported the party's candidates are queuing behind Tinubu and are
likely to continue to do so in the days to come.
It was learnt that in supporting the aspirations of Saraki and Dogara,
Atiku had argued that democracy could better be served when the
principle of internal democracy is respected.
It was further learnt that Saraki's publicised visit to Atiku's
residence a few hours after his emergence, was part of the power play.
By virtue of their new positions as Senate President and Speaker of
the House of Representatives, Saraki and Dogara, have become automatic
members of the National Executive Committee, the highest decision
making body of the party.
Their positions also confer on them automatic membership of the
party's Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee.
A leading member of the party's NWC, who confided in a source ,
explained that the unfolding scenario is likely to open up new
frontiers in the power struggle within the party.
According to him, decisions at NEC from now on will be keenly
contested by the two power blocs.
Firstclass newsline learnt that the outcome of the National Assembly
elections would likely affect decisions to be taken on ministerial
nominees as some of the candidates in Tinubu's camp may be rejected
during screening by the Saraki/Atiku group.
He said, "It is obvious that with what happened on Tuesday at the
National Assembly, two (dominant) power blocks have emerged in the
party.
"We hope to heal the wounds created by the contests, but there is
mutual suspicion between the two groups."
When contacted, the Director-General of the Atiku Media Office, Mazi
Paul Ibe, said, "Atiku did not orchestrate the emergence of the new
leadership in the National Assembly and insinuating that amounts to
nothing but political mischief, as he had refused to leave the party
or work for the PDP even when the then President Jonathan was
desperate for Atiku's support.
"The visits of politicians and APC leaders including that of the
Senate President are common political rituals in Atiku's Asokoro
residence. For the purposes of emphasis, the President has confidence
in him and that explains why he had drafted him as an envoy of sorts
in the race leading up to the emergence of a Nigerian President of
African Development Bank.
"It is baseless and unfounded to suggest that Atiku conspired with the
PDP or Saraki to 'sabotage' the APC. He would have congratulated
Senator Ahmed Lawan (or any other leader) if he had won. It is
simplistic to attribute conspiratorial agenda to an innocuous
congratulatory visit.
"Atiku's loyalty to his party is indisputable. He remains a loyal
party member. He, in fact, threw his political assets behind the
Buhari presidential campaign. Any suggestion that he conspired with
Saraki or anybody is the figment of someone's imagination."
Attempts to get a reaction from Tinubu's Spokesperson, Mr. Sunday
Dare, were unsuccessful.
Calls to his mobile phone at 5:21pm and at 7:14pm were neither picked
nor returned. A response to a text message was still being awaited as
of the time of filing this report at 7:24pm.
But, a member of Saraki's Like Minds group of Senators, Rafiu Ibrahim
(Kwara South), said Saraki's emergence, has no negative implication
for party cohesion.
He said, "We are already reaching out to everyone. At the leadership
level, we are reaching out to individuals.
"The Senate President is a very generous Nigerian with a very large
heart. He has already extended his hands of fellowship to every
senator and he has assured us all that he would carry everybody along.
It is not going to be a case of winner-takes-all."
Also, a member of the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabiru Marafa
(Zamfara Central), said the party leadership is currently working
tirelessly to ensure that the party remains a formidable and united
entity.
The South East Zonal Spokesperson for the APC, Osita Okechukwu, said
the party was seeking ways of moving forward.
According to him, it will be futile to begin to apportion blame and
look for scapegoats because doing so will provide an avenue for those
who do not wish the APC well to cash in.
He said party leaders deserve the respect of all party members, adding
that if the wise counsel of President Muhammadu Buhari for
non-interference in National Assembly issues was adhered to, the party
would not have found itself in this situation. He, however, said it
was time to move on.
Okechukwu said, "It is the desire of our opponents for there to be a
rift but there is no rift. As a party, the only thing we need now,
more than ever before, is unity.
"We need to unite especially in the National Assembly to be able to
deliver on our promises to the Nigerian people. I dare say, we also
need bi-partisan support if we are to get things done because we need
each other."
Firstclassnewsline.net