Social Commentator, Joachim Macebong, believes that time is running out for politicians who are still making decisions about their political affiliations as the 2015 elections draw closer.
Speaking on Channels Television during a conversation on Rubbin’ Minds, Macebong noted that President Jonathan’s expected declaration of his ambition to run for a second term makes it important for politicians to declare where they belong.
He explained that this position has been validated with the decision of some ministers to leave the cabinet and the recent defection of governors to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Macebong also noted that the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, seems to be the most likely choice for the APC to challenge President Jonathan because of the consistency of his political affiliation unlike Atiku who has switched between different parties in recent times.
He said that the consistency of General Buhari is rare in the Nigerian politics and this puts him ahead of former Vice-President, Abubakar Atiku and other aspirants, despite Atiku’s media presence and articulate manifesto.
On the chances of Vice-President Namadi Sambo being retained as the running mate for President Jonathan, Macebong said that the likely emergence of a northerner in the stature of General Buhari from the APC, has reduced his chances of being retained.
He believes that the PDP would need a northerner who has the ability to win northern votes and more influential northerners have been mentioned.
“The Northern votes is the reason why Sambo could be expendable (as) Buhari will win across much of the North, if you add also the APC structure behind him.
“He (Jonathan) needs to reduce those margins as much as possible and as a result he may need a stronger northern candidate.”
The seeming popularity of the APC in the South-South, owing to the crowd that thronged the rally held by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was also seen as a pointer to the need for the People’s Democratic Party to make careful decisions ahead of the polls.
Macebong also noted that it would be good for Nigeria if there are not many people vying for the Presidency of Nigeria.
With the APC and PDP being the only parties in the race, he explained that a two-party system would present quality candidates and also help Nigerians to make better informed decisions at the polls.
