APC’s Presidential Race Gets Crowded as Party Asks Aspirants to Sign “Letter of Withdrawal”

There are fears of what game is up in the ruling All Progressive Congress with the daily declarations for the presidential race by more than enough of its stalwarts.
On Wednesday May 4, no fewer than new entrants came into the race prompting questions among party faithful what is really the calculation behind the gale of declarations.
Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, unveiled “My Agenda for Nigeria” at a well attended event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole, brought his supporters together at the Cypran Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Abuja to make his declaration.
In Uyo, former Governor of Akwa Ibom and serving Minister, Godswill Akpabio, told his supporters that his declaration for the race was an uncommon one.
This was just as Pastor Tunde Bakare unveiled his decision to vie for the ticket of the APC.
Today, May 5, former Governor of Ogun and senator representing Ogun central, Ibikunle Amosun, will formally declare his intention to run.
Each of the aspirants are believed to be exploiting one relationship with the President, Muhammadu Buhari or the other.
But there is a growing concern among those eyeing and paying for the nomination forms as the party has attached a “Letter of Withdrawal” which aspirants are requested to sign and notarize and signed by a Commissioner of Oath.
The form tagged “Form 18” is believed to be the party’s tool to ensure that no issue arises when the time comes for the party to streamline and possibly produce a common candidate.
Fayemi, while declaring in Abuja on Wednesday gave an indication that there will still be more declarations.
Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also said on Wednesday that the more the unveiling of presidential agenda by aspirants, the merrier it should be for the party.
So far, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Tinubu, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuiba, his Labour and Productivity Minister, Chris Ngige, Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi have all joined the race.
Even as the stage is said to be crowded, there are those still in the realm of speculations that are possible to make their intentions known.
These include Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A concerned APC leader, who sought not to be named, told NPOReports on Wednesday that the gale of declaration from “hitherto unexpected quarters” should be a worry to the party.
“I don’t think it is good for the image of the party. Already, these declarations by people who should save the party the burden of their poor performances in their respective fields are making Nigerians look at us as an unserious party,” the APC chieftain said.
A member of the recently disbanded caretaker committee of the APC, Ismaeel Ahmed, last week complained about the huge number of aspirants when he said if care is not taken, APC may end up with one presidential aspirant by the 36 states of the federation.