Written by Ismail Adebayo & Sunday Isuwa, Kaduna Sunday, 01 April 2012
The campaign for the presidential ambition of former FCT minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufai may have begun as some political elements in the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] are setting up a campaign network for him across the country.
The former minister, who heads the renewal committee of the CPC, travelled out of the country, hence it was not possible to obtain his comments on the moves. But Sunday Trust gathered that some campaign coordinators in Ekiti, Kebbi, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Sokoto States have already set up structures to facilitate this objective ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
Confirming this to Sunday Trust on phone on Saturday, one of the coordinators, Alhaji Isa Salihu Nataro, said the decision to set up campaign structures for the realization of el-Rufai’s presidential ambition became necessary in view of his contributions so far in the efforts to bring the country out of its numerous problems caused by poor leadership.
“Let me be frank with you, we did not consult him before we embarked on this project because we didn’t think that we needed his approval before he could accept to help his country out of the unnecessary problems overzealous politicians have plunged it into. He is one of the few personalities in this country that are passionate about this country. Even our respected leader, General Muhammadu Buhari sees these qualities in him and that is why he enjoys his attention and support,” he said
Alhaji Nataro added that the promoters of el-Rufai’s presidential project decided on this line of action after extensive consultations across the states.
He said it was agreed that he would be a better choice from among other credible personalities that are being considered for the 2015 presidency.
“It was not really easy arriving at our choice, considering the fact that he has to be acceptable to millions of Nigerians who desire change in the way they are being governed, those who are craving for a better Nigeria, and an end to poor leadership and corruption.”
In the states where his campaign structures are being laid, notable politicians are said to be involved in the move as coordinators of this political campaign. For instance, in Ekiti state, the son of former governor of the state Mr Aina Adeniyi Adebayo is said to be in charge of the el-Rufai 2015 presidential project. Alhaji Usman Ahmed who was described as influential businessman and one of the strong chieftains of the party in Sokoto State is said to be in charge of the project in the state. In Adamawa, Alhaji Aminu Suleiman, who it was claimed is a successful businessman has thrown his weight behind the project, and in Gombe, a former commissioner in the state, Alhaji Isa Waziri is also said to be one of the coordinators of the el-Rufai project in the state. “We are also laying the structures for his campaign in other states” he said.
Sunday Trust gathered however that the CPC as a party has not ruled out the possibility of General Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candidate in 2015 because he’s the rallying point of the party at the moment.
According to the Chairman of Kaduna state chapter of the CPC, Alhaji Ahmadu Cocacola, General Muhammadu Buhari will still be the Presidential candidate of its party in 2015.
According to Cocacola, arraignment have been concluded with the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP to form a new alliance in the 2015 general elections, and the objective will be to produce Buhari as its candidate
He said, “Buhari is willing to run because the people at the grassroots, who are mostly poor, are calling on him to run. The party is only waiting for the time to draw near before they approach him and they know he will not let them down because he is the back bone of the party.”
