Senate President Bukola Saraki will declare to run for the office of President of Nigeria very soon, his aides have revealed.
“Yes, expect the big announcement before the week runs out or sooner”, one aide said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the subject at the time.
Saraki told Bloomberg a fortnight ago that he is actively considering running for president.
Saraki dumped the APC for the PDP in July and has been setting out his stall rather nicely for a presidential run. The senate president has paid courtesy visits to former military presidents Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo and other kingmakers across the country.
He’s also been photographed waving at crowds in Ogun, Kwara and Akwa Ibom States as he tests his popularity ahead of crucial polls for Nigeria in 2019.
Battle in the PDP
APC godfather Bola Tinubu had taken on Saraki for leaving the APC because of his presidential ambition.
“Returning to the PDP, he harbors dreams of the presidency but Tambuwal’s ambition will dwarf Saraki’s when the two collide”, Tinubu had written in a widely circulated press statement.
Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal who also defected from the APC to the PDP last month to pursue his dream of becoming Nigeria’s president, may ditch his presidential ambition to pursue a second term as governor instead.
“Tambuwal’s governorship campaign posters are back on the streets of Sokoto. It’s clear he is no longer running for president. He’s more realistic now and knows he doesn’t stand a chance at the highest level”, one resident of Sokoto told Pulse over the phone.
As Tambuwal pours cold water on his presidency goals, former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will be reigniting his. Kwankwaso will officially declare to run for the office of president of Nigeria on Wednesday, August 29.
Political pundits say the battle for the PDP presidential ticket will be a fierce one featuring the trio of Atiku Abubakar, Saraki and Kwankwaso.
Senate president throne in peril
It is believed that Saraki was promised the PDP presidential ticket as pre-condition for his eventual defection.
The PDP will hold its primary elections in the first week of October.
Saraki faces a battle to retain his position as senate president when parliament reconvenes for plenary in September. The APC insists he’ll be impeached because he now belongs to the political party with minority seats in the upper legislative chamber.
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