 Nigeria's ruling party, the all-progressive Congress APC, has announced the postponement of the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council to accommodate more members. In a statement issued on Monday night by the Director-General of the Campaign and Governor of Plato State Simon Lalong, the inauguration has been postponed indefinitely to allow the expansion of the list. Recall that the APC Presidential Campaign Council early released a 422-man list of power brokers as members of the Council, which excluded some notable leaders of the ruling party. This development raised a lot of dust as clashes ensued over the Muslim Muslim ticket of the party. I was running us to discuss and break this down as Bjordon Showme is a political analyst. Thank you so much Mr. Showme for joining us. Great, let's start by the most conspicuous mistake I'd like to call it for the Presidential Campaign Council, which was the inclusion of the name of a People's Democratic Party member on that list. What exactly do you think that was a fluke or a mistake or maybe something that has been in the works? Well, the numbers of people that was included could have been done in error. Discussions were taking place behind this thing for when that could happen but they had to include them from the beginning as part of the planning. That's one possibility. The other possibility is the fact that there could have been an error. The risk of an error is very slim. Even the ticket was also seen what has been going on. When conversations were being had as to the preparedness of political parties, especially the ruling party, the APC, one would think that this would have been a done deal being that they did not necessarily have the kind of crisis that the PDP is facing right now, I suppose, concerning a Muslim-Muslim ticket. I mean, that is just a group of people who are saying, well, we do not necessarily think that this ticket is fair, even though it's already a done deal. But then couldn't this have been ready being that tomorrow is the day that the ban is lifted on campaigns and one would have thought that this would have been something that would be announced immediately as opposed to the indefinite cancellation of, you know, that particular event. So again, who's to say that the APC is really ready? I like the fact that you said that, oh, well, these problems are teething problems. They happen all the time. But for an election that is too close to call or might be too close to call, shouldn't the ruling party be seen to be ready? normally jump ship and see whether they could try and contest through another party. Even if they won't win, or to actually pay a spoiler, then you also have those who genuinely will not want to use out of power. If the party, say, for instance, the ruling party is likely going to contain the power, you'll see some people wanting to jump ship and to join them. They want to be, you know, join the winning battle. Then you have those who are determined, die hard, their own perspective. You are likely going to see them also maintaining their own position. The most important thing is, I don't think this is about preparedness. Even as campaign keeps going on, you'll see some of, some people jumping ship. They will see who more people to their side. The way politicians feel this is that the more the merrier, they don't see it as a sign of unpreparedness. It may be they will ask someone else, you know, to the campaign again. In the midst of the campaign, you will notice that you will see that Stetham just doesn't, which he goes less than a month ago, has actually been made to join the campaign. So they will continue to reconfigure, configure and reconfigure the campaign trade. People who are able to deliver the code. The start of not being prepared is about, you know, continue to strategize, continue to see how they can all trade and win more people to their side. Do you not notice? Let's talk about the Northern Elders Forum, who have put out a statement saying through its secretary or spokesperson, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, he did say something in the lines of that they're yet to post shot towards the person that they want to throw their weights behind as a forum. And he did say that whoever they pick would be physically sound, mentally sound and otherwise sound. And they mentioned other things that would characterize who they will throw their weights behind and finally vote for. Again, let's talk about the Afene Ferre who have thrown their weight behind some gentlemen within the Afene Ferre, some chieftains, Chifalu Falaye, Payah, De Bando, who have said that they'd rather vote for the Labour Party for reasons they have clearly stated. How does this also play to the APC presidential candidates favor or disfavor? Interrogate. There's nothing wrong with that. What to say to turn themselves into a media or where you have to spooch in nice perspectives, you know, although those who did not have political in that sense, I cannot say how the Northern Elders Forum will speak for play to what they intend to do to negotiate on collective interest, what they perceive to be and see who can they push or hold all the three of them responsible for what they think are their own collective interests. It is not about the national interest in my view. Go ahead. As we consulted on this and I stand to be challenged and I know therefore in my view, but speaking for himself, he's not speaking for the Afene Ferre as single. There are so many groups in Yoruba land. The idea of coming up with Oani Ferre and all that, for me, it's just a scope of saying political prostitution. In the sense that uncheck across the night, you know, I did an agenda which many people pursued including I myself, but then to a point where you are lead on agenda, it is not about choosing a leadership or not choosing a leadership for a country. When the unchecked approach, they so rarely went to a local bench. All idea, you know, was a round of the past of the civil war. It is not about endorsing or picking a leadership. The all idea of the unchecked approach, you know, it's also about some candidates or the other. It's authentic and one is not about the structure in my view, and it is not healing the wounds of the people. This is about power, strictly about power and people are positioning, you know, either for Chinungu, Ajipu, or for OBI. That's exactly what is going on. It is partisan in the shop and Afene Ferre is not supposed to be supposed to be a political organization. Let me take you on some of the things that you said, especially about the Northern Elders Forum. Yes, you might be right that they do not necessarily necessarily have the votes of every person in the North. But these are people who have been speaking for the North. These are people who have cried out on behalf of the North, whether in terms of insecurity, the abandonment of government and leadership, the fact that they have been getting the short end of the stick, et cetera, et cetera. So why can't they, whether they be 10-5 or two people say, well, this is what we want. We want to be able to probe, we want to be able to see, we want to be able to be certain that this person who's coming to us wanting our votes is worthy of it. What's wrong with that? I mean, whether they are elected or not, they're also, you know, voters, they have a right to vote. And they're saying, if our people have been getting the short end of the stick, and we've been getting all of this, you know, from the past administrations, now we are willing to make sure that we give our people some opportunity to scrutinize these leaders. What's wrong with that? Because I'm querying why you're saying that it's not their place to do it. But then these are Elders representing these areas. Why can't they posture? I want to say, a penitentiary wants to call all the candidates to come and address them and convince them that before they can make up their mind on who to back or not to back. They know how they say it wants to do the same thing. And it is the same right civil society of positions would have to say yes, before we can endorse any candidates or support any candidate. But isn't that the case for every voter? Does every candidate not have to one way or the other give you a reason to vote for them? Would you not scrutinize them? Would you not at least try to ask questions? And that's why there are opportunities for these debates, etc, etc. But if they as a group are saying we want to see you as a candidate, this is what we want. We want to question you and scrutinize you. What's wrong with that? As individuals, I have the right to examine the manifesto of police. They even have the right to assess. What I am saying is not representative of the people in Nigeria. And of course, that is why I said, why do they think they are more special than other groups always in Pakistan? In 2014-15, they supported the candidacy of President Warren and he won the election. In 2018-19, they supported the candidate See, of the Attikuakubaka and he lost the election. And therefore, there is no guarantee. Therefore, it is far better for organized sectors, you know, like the OPS, organized private sector, like the media, you know, to conduct such a debate, where you come to the level of a group, say, claiming I represent the Ohane Zindigu, except you people are here before us, who will not make up our mind and will not advise our people on who to vote for. That is where the political arrogance is. If you look at Ohane Zindigu, as he said, or in 2030, they have never specifically mentioned the fact that we will not tell our people who to vote for. Whereas the evidence that are found does not support whatever they are pretending, you know, in terms of influencing the voters. It didn't work in 2019. They back at it. Okay. Well, I want to say thank you. You'll be able to show me is a veteran journalist, by the way, and also a political analyst. Always a pleasure to have you. Thank you so much for joining us. All right. And that's the show tonight. We will be back tomorrow 7pm on plus politics. We will be talking for development as of cost the ban is being lifted on campaigns. I advise every Nigerian listen and listen again. Do not be in a hurry to make a choice. And don't forget your PVCs are ready. If you have start if you had registered before January, you can go and get your PVCs. But if you registered between July and August, you will be your PVC will be ready sometime in October and November. Don't forget to go get your PVC because that is your only pass to making sure that you have good governance. I am Mary Anacone. Have a good evening.