GAME CHANGER? Tafawa Balewa’s Son Joins 2015 Presidential Race
*As Northern group alters APC’s calculation
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its national convention to choose its standard bearer in the 2015 presidential election, indications are rife that one of the sons of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa may emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
Saturday Newswatch gathered that a new political movement that cuts across party and religious sentiments in the northern part of the country has decided to scout for a neutral candidate that has the goodwill to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.
It was further gathered that some key members of the APC are no longer comfortable with idea of picking General Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s flag bearer, despite his popularity.
While some have argued that age is no longer on the side of the General, others say he is no longer sellable, having run for the exalted office three times in a row.
Those opposed to his candidature, based on the age criteria, said he may not fit in, in the contemporary world, citing examples in younger presidents like Barack Obama of the United States, and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron.
The group, which Saturday Newswatch learnt had met several times in Abuja, Kaduna, Dubai, Saudi
Arabia, USA and Britain, was said to have drafted Dr. Abduljelil Balewa into the presidential race as an alternative.
Balewa, a United States of American-based medical doctor, is said to be in his 50s and described as highly cerebral.
Besides being cosmopolitan, Balewa’s mother was said to have hailed from the South West, while majority of his business associates are from the South East geopolitical zone.
One of his political associates, Dr. Oladele Ojo, who confirmed the development during a telephone interview yesterday in Abuja, said the group brought tremendous pressure on Dr. Balewa, who felt humbled and honoured to have been called upon to rescue the nation at this time.
According to him, apart from infrastructural development, the group and Dr. Balewa agreed that the nation’s education, energy and health sectors deserved a thorough surgical operation.
The leading opposition party had for sometime been involved in controversies over the emergence of its standard bearer.
There have been insinuations that Buhari may run with former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Although, the rumour was not confirmed by the duo of Buhari and Tinubu, the former Lagos State helmsman was quoted last week to have said that he was eminently qualified to run, hinging his position on his fundamental human rights.
Buhari, who shortly after losing the 2011 presidential election declared that he was through with the nation’s electoral process, has not formally declared interest in the 2015 presidential race.
Saturday Newswatch also gathered that the choice of the northern political elite, would next week, address a press conference during which, he would unfold his programmes.
