Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The presidential flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, was conspicuously absent, Thursday as other presidential candidates signed a peace pact in Abuja.
While the presidential candidates of the other political parties physically showed up for the peace deal, the former Lagos State Governor was the only candidate that was represented by his deputy.
Reason for his absence was not adduced but Tinubu was represented at the event by his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Some of the presidential candidates present were Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party; his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi; and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, among others.
Tinubu is currently on vacation in London, thus fueling speculations that he may have been secretly attending to his health.
APC National Chairman, Senator Adamu, had written a protest letter to Tinubu, accusing him of sidelining the party in the composition of his Campaign Council.
Although there have been cover-ups here and there, the ruling party appears to have been engrossed in some internal wrangling, which if not urgently fixed could jeopardize the party’s electoral fortunes in 2023.
