 Top APC stakeholders may not work for Tinnabu's candidacy report sets, and insecurity threatens the conduct of 2023 elections in 686 communities. This is Plus Politics, I am Mary-Anna Cohn. There are feelers that some chieftains of the all-progressive Congress APC who are on one way or the other unhappy with the presidential candidate of the ruling party Asiwadu Bola met Tinnabu. They may either sit on the fence or work against him come 2023 election. Media reports say that some stakeholders of the party fell out with the former Lagos state governor as he clinched the APC presidential ticket during the June 8, 2022 primary elections. Recall that prior to the party's national convention, which produced Asiwadu as APC flag bearer, the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, had announced Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the APC consensus presidential candidate. The move was, however, swiftly antagonised by some governors and the party members believed to be loyal to Asiwadu who insisted on a southern presidency. Well joining us to discuss this is O'Ponaboy and Kotara, he is a civil rights advocate, and O'Kiawai Sharafa Omoele is a legal practitioner. Thank you so much gentlemen for joining us. Good evening everyone and good evening Nigeria. Great. Mr. O'Kiawai, can you hear me? Yes, my pleasure to be on the program. Great. I'm going to start with you because you obviously have some alliance with the all-progressive Congress, but tell me what do you think exactly is going on within the party right now because as there are feelers that even the national chairman feels left out of the presidential campaign committee? Yes, you see O'Ponaboy, that when we have it like the one that could Ashwajibola make a slight better of it, we should expect it to lead to Instagram, which I would say is that the leadership of the party is challenging and we are on top of this. Mr. O'Kiawai, I'm sorry we're having connection issues with you, your voice is going in and out, so if you're using an earpiece, would I like to advise that you do away with it because we're unable to hear you, but while we try to sort that out O'Ponaboy, let's talk about the things that led up to Bola Mettinibu emerging as the APC's flag bearer. And what's transpiring right now within the party? Now, first and foremost, it is obvious, quite accurate that Bola Mettinibu was not the preferred candidate to a lot of presidents. First, we are talking of President Mamadou Bahrain himself and like our boss, Sadat Ashwajib, based on his out-boss in one of the western states. Then we talk of the national chairman of the party and few other presidents, but because Bola Mettinibu is seen as a political god to a lot of presidents, you know, so what really happened was that Aficionados came together to ensure his emergence as the president's prime minister. And I can tell you that this led to a lot of leds that we did, excuse me, within the party. A lot of people are not happy. And one fact of that situation was that Bola Mettinibu, I think, from what I believe, is becoming vindictive. All those who were adversely imaged as the presidential candidate are being treated with levity. And that is why, even before now, the national chairman of the party had to cry out to say he has an inside line. You have to imagine their lives. And that is why you have the problem you're having right now in the party. It is more or less like a divided house. Those who are still loyal to Bola Mettinibu and those who ensured his emergence as the candidate of the party and those who were not loyal to him, for other than him, we would have accepted his bed for him in court. Are you still there? I am dead next. A lot of peasants. And that is right in court. And that is why a lot of peasants today are a little bit leaseless when it comes to the ambition of Bola Mettinibu. And I think that has created a fusion in the past. Let me talk about the presidential campaign commission. As much as we hear that the party national chairman says that he's running, these are the words of the national chairman, that he, Bola Mettinibu, is running a one-man show. We also hear that the vice president, obtained out according to reports. In fact, an APC chief team, Dr. Martin Zappe, spoke to a newspaper, National News Daily, saying that the vice president actually rejected the offer to be included in the recently released APC presidential campaign council. So rightly as you have said, there are certain feathers that have been ruffled. But the vice president, one would think who somewhat is, you know, someone from Lagos who also has some close relationship with the presidential candidate. Does that not bother you? No, it doesn't bother me at all. I mean, it is expected. Because like I said, Bola Mettinibu is being, right now, the perception is that he's being vindicated. Don't forget the slight comments he made about the vice president when he was asked concerning his son. And he said his son was not going to contest and so on. And don't also forget that the vice president was under a whole lot of doubt, without calling a vice of vitro. It gives the vice president or the vice president for daring, so to speak, to contest. And so the vice president knows that there is not a loss between he and Amit Bola Mettinibu. He knows too well. And so there was no point in giving yourself, because luke one acceptance is much more bewildering and outright rejection. So I think it's on that premise that he just thought, what will I be doing there? And this is the man that is the sitting vice president and tomorrow by the special grace of what I said 30 years ago, because some are dying now, but it's just about become a former vice president. The only person that will be at both such a person is the president of the Farah Republic of Nigeria. They now they're entitled to all the effects of office photos because until the day he dies, as a former vice president when eventually he ends it. So what else again? Why will he have to come, why will he have to compromise his dignity? These are some of the burning questions and some of the issues that will be pushing through his mind. Why do I have to go and compromise my dignity? What to have? Even if today I remember. And don't forget the issue of political presidential election will be local based. So being a member of the presidential campaign council is just a thing of prestige. It is actually those that are going to do the work at those at the local government level. And the vice president does not need that prestige. The only prestige, the only feather you can add to his cap is being the president of the country. What other prestige does he need? So a man who has that dignity will say, let me not go and compromise my dignity. What else do I need in this life? It's terrible because the president of the Farah Republic of Nigeria tomorrow. So be it. He does not, he cannot stop my last, he cannot do anything. He didn't need tomorrow because if he abuses office by telling whoever to stop their last, which will be a subject of litigation anyway, because the vice president himself is a professor of law and a senior advocate of Nigeria. So even if he goes ahead to abuse office, so they stop the, the entitlement of the vice president, the issue is that because the investment is not to speak, it's one man that's highly expressed in the country, highly expressed in the country. So even if you're stopping, you know that one is for the period, maximum of eight years, if I call Singapore winds, which I strongly doubt, it's going to be a maximum of eight years and a subject of litigation. But then after we, he will still be, that will not in any way affect his integrity and dignity. So that's why he will just tell you, you know, and he cannot be seen to be running around, running around in the, the, the, the, the purpose can never be innocent in the garden of power, in the garden of power. It can never be innocent. Okay. So there's no point losing yourself to say you want to be a member of the presidential council when you know that you are being accepted in a loop one month. Let me bring Mr. Moyelay back into the conversation. Mr. Moyelay, you've heard what Opponabo has said and of course, I'd like to hear from you why you think or why rather the national chairman would think that Tinabu is running a one man show as opposed to those who he has released in the list of people that might make the presidential campaign council. Well, so my mind, I think what people are saying about the national chairman of APC claiming that actually what I meant Tinabu is running a one man show is not true because it's going to be practically impossible for a man to sit down and draw the list of distribution of about 400 in number. That is not possible. Am I aware? As well as members of the executive council and the party hierarchy were involved in generating the names that constitute presidential campaign council of APC. And let me say this. It's expected why you have a beautiful bride for everybody to be tested and particularly in achieving the goal and desire of that project. And as I was having people saying what they are saying, but I confirm to you it's not true. I feel like I need to update me. Hello. We can hear you. Go ahead. Would I hear you clearly my brother? Exactly. Is it tested, trusted and experienced politician who has paid his dues? And in the area of constituting or composing campaign, come to a campaign council, it's not really liver. So I'm saying this first of his understanding. That is just the fitment of imagination of those who are trying to run down because that can't be done too soon. If you look at it, people that can't be done too soon. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You're telling me, you're telling me that the national chairman and members of the party which or who voted for, are jealous, are detractors, are people who are trying to bring him down? I'm trying to understand why would the party go through all that trouble to have him as their flag bearer? And then, in your words, try to bring him down. Please make it make sense. I'm trying to understand you. I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is that the national chairman of APC cannot and did not, and will not, claim that, I shall say that I met Kinobu was running a woman's show. Because every party leadership, party leaders and take orders, were involved in the selection of members of PCC of APC. So now everybody was now saying that the national chairman said that, I want to say that's not true. It cannot be true. Because the composition, if you run through the list, it's caught across all the strata of APC Nigeria. And every interest is presented. So it is clear that those who are saying that, are the adversaries, that opposition, that are trying to create problems where there's none. I'm confirming to you, in episode today, there's no division. All of us are one. And we are working towards ensuring that, I told you about that, I met Kinobu. He's come the next president. Okay. Now, just as I said before we lost you, an APC chieftain, his name is out here in, you know, full print. Dr. Martin's Abbey, who spoke with the National Daily said, and I quote, that the vice president, Professor Yemise Bajo, actually rejected an offer to be part of the PCC. Again, the vice president and one of the presidential aspirants, the former minister of transportation, Mr. Rotimi and Meichi, both of them do not have confidence, reportedly, in the Bala-Amed Kinobu presidency, hence them sitting on the fence and not having anything to do with the campaign. So I'm just, I just want to ask you, what do you think the relationship is between these two men and your presidential candidate? There is no problem between the actually Bala-Amed Kinobu and our distinguished professor of law, Professor Yemise Bajo. And our right honorable Chibu Eche and Meichi, nothing. Now, you have been told that vice president of Shiba Joe will be left to see the day-to-day running of the government of Nigeria. We should not forget, President Mohadawari is the chairman of APC-PCC and considering the relationship of APC, that it will be wrong for the president to be dead-git involved in our campaign at the expense of governments. And he now said it will be better for vice presidents to be allowed to be overseen the day-to-day running of the Nigerian government, which I think is reasonable, which I think is sensible, which I think is responsive to the reality of the Nigerian situation. And in the case of right honorable Chibu Eche and Meichi, I'm confirming to you, it has no issue, personal, official, or anything we can think of with either Senator Bala-Amed Kinobu or the party or the PCC. Nothing that is not included now does not mean like me, that is not consulted. The leader from River State was submitted by him to the National Legislative Party. So it's involved. So for the last time, it was the DG of our campaign, but today it's not the DG. And under certain circumstances, should be given a role, level of patron or leader of the campaign council. So am I showing the Nigerian that APC is one. Our leaders are together in unity with our candidates to ensure that comes into the three APC women's presidential election. Quickly, I'm going to go to open up one. Then I'll ask you the same question, both gentlemen. Now, from the reports, it's being said that former River State Governor, Rotimiya Meichi, is still very angry with the party on what played out during the APC primary. And it was a shock to him and other Nigerians. He said, well, that Osibandro and Laval may work for the presidential candidate of the party, stating that those who want the country to work again will not jeopardize another four years in the hands of people who they believe cannot deliver. That's one. I want you to quickly comment on the video that recently emerged of your presidential candidate. Now, most people had commented on the fact that he'd been disappearing from public events. And his vice president had been the one representing him. And of course, the one that raised the most alarm was the fact that during the peace pact signing, he was nowhere to be found. And then a video emerged over the weekend. I'll ask you, was it necessary for that video to be put out? So was it just poor PR? Sorry, you said your political party, I don't understand that. No, no, I was asking Mr. Moyele. All right. Okay. Now, we must understand that vice president of Nigeria is a member of the PISC. And he has no reason to work against the party. And I'm confirming to you that there's no issue between him and Achalibah Lameke-Mobo as far as the composition of PISC of the PISC is concerned. That is not included in the PISC. Who means that if it is as a party, it's polarized. Our governors are solely behind the candidate of the party. And in support of the list of members of PISC. Because the list was actually submitted on state basis by the governor. The presidential candidate. Okay. Because we're running out of time, Mr. Moyele, quickly comment on the health of your candidates. And the question I asked so that we can have Upunabor wrap this up for us. Go ahead. Well, Achalibah Lameke-Mobo is a land actually as you could see in the workout videos that have gone viral. So it shows that nothing on tours has happened to him. But there are people who are out to paint him in his very bad light. That's the scary thing in the mind of Nigeria. To show that it's not healthy. It's not fit. It's not proper. Do you not think that putting out that video in the first place to prove anything to Nigerians one way or the other raises an eyebrow? I mean, if the man was Hale and Hattie, why does he need to put out a video? Leyanne, I hope you will not cut the video. That video that you were doing in the workout is not made for somebody who is not healthy. To show that it's fit and proper to embark on a massive campaign for presidential election 2023. And I think Katerina here, of course, is this. Is only God who can determine the fitness, the ability of somebody else? Because we do not have time. I would really like for Poonaboo to comment because we don't have time. Poonaboo, please come in. Okay. Lameke-Mobo said this. On the issue of this other process, of course, we are human beings and we are prone to human problems. So if you don't have that spirit of craftsmanship in you, when you lose an election, there is that tendency of begrudging the big talk. So probably this was as informed the actions of certain persons. But to say that persons are not agreed. Yes. I might decide not to leave the political party because I'm agreed. But by the inside, I'm belacagic. I'm not showing interest. I call whatever interest with whatever is going on in that party. That is probably the situation in the 80s. I might say that one day. On the issue of the health, my listen to my brother came to me when he said, God is willing to determine. Yes. I strongly agree. As Christians, of course, we say God determines. But even God has given the medical doctors the knowledge and power to also decide who is signed medically or not. Now, I will not go into the veracity or co-reformance of the claim of my brother concerning the issue of the unit in the party. I will not want to go into that because we have all kinds of contradictory statements emanating from party degrees. Well, I won't say this. The issue of Bola Amir's clinical search, I can tell you, and I can say, and the co-vocally, is the fact that the man is not medically sound and there are suddenly issues to both studies and search. We are all aware. We are cognizant of even when Bola Amir's clinical was visited in London by any device specimen when he was in hospital. Now, a lot of cases by dismissed it by saying nobody, there is nobody that will do false. But there is a great distinction. I'm using this hypothetically, I'm not saying that is what Bola Amir is suffering from, please, so that I am not quoted out of context. But there's a great distinction between fever, there's a great distinction between malaria and cancer. So you cannot say everybody must fall sick. Nobody is insulated from sickness. Therefore, you're going to compare the man that has cancer with the man that has malaria. For crying out now, what is going on now drags us of the sudden past of Yerazua. What happened to Yerazua? We all saw where Yerazua was allegedly playing squash. And the order was objected by IBI, sorry, a political ambassador who, when the control party surrounding the health of Yerazua was placed on the front burner in order to dismiss it. They now showed video of Yerazua playing squash. And we all knew what eventually happened. We also saw recent, in recent time, which is still ongoing, present, contemporary death of Nwama Dugwari, who is co-constant me, who is co-constant back of the struggle to the U.K. and Saudi Arabia for medical reasons. We have to go. Now, we have videos of Siddiqui, where he was looking for a trail in the United Kingdom and the United States and so on. Now, you have to pitch your ball on the Siddiqui. We have to go. In order to polarize the argument, Nwama Dugwari is here. But why do you have to publish that? Why do you have to show that to the world? Just because you want to dismiss the fact of his illness. But we all know that the PCC inauguration that was postponed, all white girls, even the postponed inauguration, Nwama Dugwari is safe. Okay, all right. All right, open up. We have to go. We have to go. We hear you, but we have to go. Our time is far spent. It's because you're safe. All right, thank you. Thank you very much. Dupunabot Incotira is the right to advocate as a political analyst. Okay, we as Charafa Omaelei is a legal practitioner and also representative of the APC. Thank you so much, gentlemen, for being part of this conversation. Thank you very much. I'm good to be in Nigeria. All right. Well, thank you all for staying with us. We'll take a short break. When we return, we'll be talking about the level of insecurity in the country and how it might play out during the 2022 election. Stay with us.