EXCLUSIVE: How two South West Govs nearly crippled Basiru’s emergence as new APC National Secretary
The emergence of former Senate spokesman, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru as new national secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) did not come without high-profile oppositions within the party’s fold, NewsClick Nigeria can authoritatively report.
Recall that both Basiru, a former senate (ninth assembly) spokesman and immediate past Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje were on Thursday elected secretary and national chairman of the ruling party.
Basiru, a consummate lawyer and former Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice in Osun State represented Osun Central at the ninth senate. He holds a Ph.D. in Law.
While Ganduje replaced Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Basiru replaced Sen. Iyiola Omisore. Adamu and Omisore tendered their resignations last month.
Opposition to Basiru’s emergence
Reliable sources privy to the ‘behind the scenes’ happenings in the ruling party confided in NewsClick Nigeria that the Governors of Lagos and Ogun states echoing a sentiment of a group within the party, allegedly hinged their opposition to Basiru’s emergence on his faith. Their grouse was that Omisore being a Christian should have been replaced by Senator Omoworare, a Christian who is also from Ife, Osun East Senatorial District same as where the erstwhile Secretary, Senator hails from.
According to them, having a National chairman (Ganduje) and secretary as Muslims will further give credence to rumours of the party favouring only Muslim adherents.
‘The opposition to Basiru’s emergence was thick and almost taking a stand due to the concerns of the two governors who are acting on behalf of other interest groups against the former Senate spokesman. It was not about Basiru’s competence but religious leaning. They feel having ceded the national chairmanship to a Muslim, the secretary should morally be ceded to a Christian. The two governors however proposed immediate past Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Sunday Dare and Babajide Omoworare, former legislative aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari to fill the national secretary position.’
How Bisi Akande saved the day
Meanwhile, Bisi Akande, a former interim Chairman of the APC and close associate of President Bola Tinubu played a crucial role in deflating the governors’ religious stance as obstacle to Basiru’s emergence. According to the sources, the former Osun Governor told the Governors and others in their camp in clear terms that since the position was micro zoned to Osun state, political stakeholders in the state have no issues with choice of Basiru. ‘Baba Akande reminded the two Governors and others joining forces against Basiru’s emergence that the six South West states are currently governed by Christians with just two having Muslim deputies. He said Muslims did not raise eyebrow to this development despite also being fairly qualified for the governorship position. He said religion should take backseat in national matters and Basiru remains the Osun APC choice for the national secretary position.’
President Tinubu’s neutral stance
The sources said President Bola Tinubu throughout the nomination process maintained a neutral stance. According to the sources, the President was willing to go with any candidate the party unanimously present for the position. ‘Even when the Governors were mounting pressure, President Tinubu did not bulge. He made it clear to anyone who cared to listen that the party’s choice is his choice. The Governors might have had their way considering how close they are to the President, but he told them that the party was supreme. All the dissenting voices attempt did not succeed and so on Thursday, the party affirmed former Governor Ganduje as national chairman and Basiru as national secretary.’
Efforts by NewsClick Nigeria as at press time to reach the spokespersons of the two Governors and new APC Secretary for comments were unsuccessful.
