By Mo. Hanif
Two years after the June 2022 presidential primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that produced Bola Tinubu as the party’s flagbearer, Iyiola Omisore, the APC National Secretary at the time, has provided insights on how he accomplished his mission to secure the ticket for a South-Westerner.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Omisore explained the internal party dynamics and strategic maneuvers that led to Tinubu's victory. Despite then APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu's preference for a Northern candidate, Omisore emphasized his unwavering commitment to the South-West.
“In politics, everybody has their mindsets. We came from different geopolitical zones to the NWC (National Working Committee) at that time, representing different interests,” Omisore remarked. “I was the most senior member of the party in the South-West and my mandate was to deliver the South-West for the Presidency.”
Omisore elaborated on the political landscape within the NWC, highlighting that each member had distinct regional interests. His objective was clear: secure the presidential ticket for the South-West, which he ultimately achieved despite Adamu's opposition.
He underscored the democratic nature of the APC convention, noting that the NWC facilitated a transparent process where all votes were counted openly. “When there is a transparent primary, there is no noise; it is only when people feel cheated that they go to court,” Omisore stated.
Reflecting on the events leading to the primary, Omisore characterized them as "all political," asserting that the party had since moved on to focus on democratic consolidation for the benefit of Nigerians. He recalled how Adamu had declared Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s “consensus candidate,” a move that was met with resistance from northern governors who favored Tinubu.
Despite internal disagreements and competition, Tinubu emerged victorious in the primary, defeating prominent contenders such as Lawan, ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Tinubu's win at the APC primary paved the way for his success in the February 2023 general election, where he triumphed over Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) to become President.
In July 2023, following Tinubu's inauguration, both Adamu and Omisore resigned from their respective positions as APC National Chairman and Secretary under controversial circumstances. This led to the appointment of former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje and former Senate spokesman Ajibola Bashiru as the new National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Senator Omisore’s revelations shed light on the intricate political strategies and power plays that define the inner workings of Nigeria’s ruling party.
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