The first month of 2022 has witnessed a number of twists and turns in the political scene and these come with no surprise.
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, it is a no-brainer that 2022 will be a year of serial politicking. In anticipation of the 2023 general elections, a widespread social media campaign to get Permanent Voters Cards has commenced.
Some politicians have been touted as the best candidates while others declared interest from visiting party stakeholders to courtesy visits to President Muhammadu Buhari. There are also other presidential hopefuls who are being cautious due to the uncertainty over zoning but have, however, hinted at contesting.
And although, rather, early, many Nigerians have been asking “what are our options”, “what candidates should we vote for?” If you have these questions too, do not worry, The News Beam has compiled a list of politicians that have openly shown interest in contesting for the office of the President and those who have hinted at contesting.
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In alphabetical order, here they are:
1. Anyim Pius Anyim
Anyim has declared interest to contest under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is a Lawyer and has served as Senate President and Secretary to the Government of Federation. Anyim is from Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria and for now, the first candidate from the zone to make his intentions clear.
2. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made known of his intention to run for the position to journalists on January 10, 2021. The former governor of Lagos state explained that he had visited President Muhammadu Buhari and informed him that serving as President ‘had been his life-long ambition’.
3. Atiku Abubakar
Business mogul and political heavyweight, Atiku Abubakar is no stranger to the polls having contested for the position five times. The former Vice President has been a consistent critic of the Buhari administration and appears that Atiku will run for president in 2023, even though he has not explicitly declared his intentions. Moreover, back in 2020, while speaking at the presentation of his scorecard as Commissioner for Works and Energy in Adamawa State, his son Adamu said, “I don’t see anything wrong with my father contesting for the presidency. “In 2023, my father will be aspiring to the Number One office in the land because he has been an astute, strategic, master politician for almost four decades”.
4. Bukola Saraki
Last November, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state announced that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki is willing to contest. Ortom that he was the first politician from the North Central region to indicate interest in the presidency.
5. David Umahi
Like Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi also met with President Muhammadu Buhari to announce his intention to run.
6. Dele Momodu
Media Mogul expressed expressed his willingness to participate in the elections while presenting a letter of interest to the PDP National Chairman in Abuja. He declared his intentions on January 13, 2021.
7. Goodluck Jonathan
Former Governor of Bayelsa state and former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been touted by various groups to return to power as savior. While GEJ, has he is fondly called has been silent on the topic although his body language speaks otherwise. He has admitted to making consultations from party stakeholders, however, we’d have to wait for a bold step.
8. Orji Uzor Kalu
The Former Governor of Abia state is Orji Uzor Kalu visibly one of those waiting to know the cord APC zoning will strike before officially showing interest. The Chief Whip of the Senate, has, however, declared himself as the most prepared presidential candidate in Nigeria emphasizing that Nigeria should have an Igbo President in 2023.
9. Yahaya Bello
Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello can be said to be one of the most vocal aspirants. Bello had openly indicated interest far back as 2020. Campaign billboards of the governor have already be sighted in various parts of the country.
10. Yemi Osibajo
The current Vice President of Nigeria, has continued to perform his responsibilities according to the constitution giving little to no attention to the 2023 race, or at least posing to give no attention to the race. However, various groups continue to spring up presenting Osibajo as the messiah Nigeria needs and has his Boss’ successor. In addition to this, campaign posters with ‘Osinbajo for All 2023’ surfaced in Ibadan last October.
It is important to note that although the politicians have declared interests, power lies with the political parties to give them the party tickets, and with the electorate to get one of them into office.
