In spite of his earlier payment of N100 million for the presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and launching campaign with fanfare, the former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, on 14th May 2022, participated in the party’s screening for a senatorial seat.
Oshiomhole, who is an erstwhile Governor of Edo State, reportedly arrived the venue of the screening exercise at Fraiser Suite, Abuja, at about 8:12 pm on the aforementioned date.
Mr Oshiomhole had earlier declared to contest for Edo North Senatorial District. However, in a twist, he made a U-turn, then announced his presidential bid some weeks ago at an elaborate event in Abuja, the Nigeria’s capital territory.
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In his declaration speech, Mr Oshiomhole claimed he was the best candidate to be Nigeria’s next president having been a labour leader and a governor. He said his government would be for the workers and working people and not the Nigerian elite.
By his participation at the APC’s Senatorial screening exercise, it is now clear that the ex-labour leader bought two forms: for President and Senate.
Despite paying N100 million for the presidential nomination form and launching his presidential campaign with fanfare, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has been screened by the party for a senatorial seat.
The former Edo State governor arrived the venue of the screening exercise at Fraiser Suite, Abuja, at about 8:12 p.m. and maneuvered his way into the venue of the exercise through the crowd at the entrance.
Mr Oshiomhole had earlier declared to contest for Edo North Senatorial District. However, in a twist, he announced his presidential bid some weeks ago at an elaborate event in Abuja.
In a related development, the wife of the incumbent Ondo State Governor, Betty Akeredolu, who is currently aspiring for the seat of the Imo East Senatorial district, where she hails from, was also at the venue of the APC’s screening exercise for senatorial aspirants.
Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu arrived the venue very early at about 3 pm, though the screening did not start until 7 pm.
If given the ticket, Mrs Akeredolu (Nee Anyanwu) seeks to succeed the incumbent Senator for the zone in the person of Onyewuchi Ezenwa.
It’s noteworthy that the Governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje was equally in attendance at the venue for the APC’s senatorial screening.
Mr Ganduje, who would be completing his constitutionally allowed second tenure in 2023, seeks to join other former governors who have essentially turned the senate to retirement home.
However, on the screening day being Saturday, the venue of the exercise was reportedly chaotic due to the poor arrangement.
The screening committee is expected to screen 351 aspirants who bought the senate nomination and expression of interest forms of the ruling party. The screening is billed to last for two days, though it’s unclear if the exercise would be completed within the stipulated period.
It could be recalled that Oshiomhole’s removal as the National Chairman of the APC was as a result of controversies and various factions that ensued in the party in the period under review.
Hence, it won’t be out of place if stated that the unionist turned politician is synonymous with controversy. Little wonder he is feeding the mindsets of his teeming followers with unreliable actions and inactions, ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
Though I’m aware he’s one of the persons that were never aspiring for the Nigeria’s number-one position, am only worried about the electorate who remain gullible and has refused to face realities.
Nigerians ought to acknowledge the politicians that are genuinely willing to occupy any political position, especially the presidential seat. The proposed awareness would enable them to realize how best to take their actions, or react to events as they unfold.
One who is duly informed, can never be deceived, hence cannot be prone to vulnerability. This is, therefore, a clarion call for Nigerians to ensure that they become politically aware as the 2023 polls draw nearer by the day.