– By Emeritus

Much news on politics, in recent times, has revolved around who would be at the helm in 2023, as far as the number one position in the country is concerned. On some days, it gets really interesting. Soon, the race to the presidency will engulf most Nigerians and it will become the most viable talk among politically inclined Nigerians. 

Either directly or indirectly, intentions have been made known. Though not official, electioneering has taken its effect once again. Consultations are being made. Politicians are going from one state to another, one geopolitical zone to another to meet their contemporary political enigmas. The question remains, who will be the first person in Nigeria, come 2023?

The Insiders

• Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu is the former governor of Lagos state. He is a stalwart in politics whose tentacle spreads across the nooks and crannies of the country. Most importantly, President Muhammadu Buhari. It is rumoured that part of the negotiations between Buhari and Tinubu prior to Buhari’s election in 2015 was that Buhari would support Tinubu in his quest to become the president after his tenure. With his experience, knowledge and political sagacity, it is undisputed that Tinubu, if given the ticket, will pull out millions of votes. 

• Atiku Abubakar

Atiku, a prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He started aspiring to become the president in 1992 when he stepped down for M.K.O Abiola. His wish to become the president led to the fight between his principal and him in 2007, as President Obasanjo saw him as an overambitious politician. Atiku Abubarkar has invested much in PDP and it will be a consolation, for him, if the party rewards his years of patriotism and magnanimity towards her. However, Atiku commands wide respect in the Northern part of the country which has millions of voters.

• Professor Yemi Osinbajo

Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a legal luminary, is seen as a technocrat, a visionary leader and a tool for positive change. Osinbajo is acknowledged as the major competitor wrestling the presidential ticket with Tinubu, his political mentor, in All Progressive Congress, APC. He is tipped by political observers to be the first professor in Nigeria to become the president of the country and many desire to see Professor Babagana Zulum as his running mate. Many a Nigerian look at Osinbajo as an easy-going person and a saint in Nigerian politics, saturated with a lot of politicians with questionable characters. However, his desire to be the nation’s number one after 8 years of being the vice president, can only be truncated if the APC primary does not favour him. 

Outsiders

• Rochas Okorocha, the former governor of Imo State is a member of APC. He will have to battle Senator Bola Tinubu and Professor Yemi Osinbajo for the presidential ticket of the party. It is factual to say the odds are not on his side. He has an axe to grind if his aspiration will come to fulfillment. Politics is a game of number and the number of those at your side. Okorocha, if he will be chosen, will have to work more on having numerous political juggernauts at his side. 

• Ayim Pius Ayim is a former senate president under President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Ayim’s hope can be actualized if PDP deems it worthy to give a South Easterner her ticket to reward their unwavering support for the party since 1999.

• Senator Bukola Saraki has declared his interest to become the president of Nigeria in 2023. Saraki is the immediate former senate president and a two-term governor of Kwara state. To become PDP’s standard bearer, he needs to defeat the influence of Atiku Abubarkar in the party and come victorious in the party’s primaries.

• Aminu Tambuwal 
• Bala Muhammed
• Nelson Wike