Tinubu Faces Pressure from Opposition Candidates for Cabinet Positions

In the lead-up to the February 2023 general election, several opposition presidential candidates made a significant request. They approached Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asking for his assistance in meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

These presidential candidates convened with Ganduje at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja. Notable among them were candidates representing parties like the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Action Peoples Party (APP), among others.

Ambassador Felix Johnson Osakwe, who represented his fellow presidential candidates as part of the Forum of Concerned Presidential Candidates Forum, voiced their collective desire to be included in President Tinubu’s administration. Their aim was to actively contribute to the nation’s development.

“We are here, sir, not only to see Mr President; number one is to be identified with you and to thank God for your appointment. Then number two: we see you as a father, sir, who has been a commander in chief of the state and here you are today to be the pilot that will lead the presidential candidate, especially those who are ready and those who love this country and the interest of this country first before politics, before parties.

“That you will be the right person to lead us to meet with Mr President so he can hear our own views in person and also let him know that it is not all the presidential candidates that are against him. We chose not to go to court, because this is Nigeria and we have no other country to go.

“So we are here to thank you and to thank God and everyone seated here and to say, as presidential candidates, there is something we can offer this country, and I believe a government of inclusion will be necessary in times like this,” he stated.

Meanwhile Ganduje assured them that their requests would be conveyed to President Tinubu and that he would ensure that they meet him in person, adding that they would be included to work for the party in the November 11 Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo governorship polls.