As political actors scramble for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections, it has been revealed that 7,800 delegates will determine the fate of the aspirants.
The bulk of the delegates are from North-West with 1,924 voting strength and South-West with 1,568.
North-Central has 1,278 delegates while it is closely followed by North-East with 1,212 delegates.
The two zones with the least delegates are South-South with 927 and South-East comprising 838 delegates.
South-West with the highest number of major presidential aspirants will share the zone’s delegates and scramble for delegates from the other zones.
Kano has the highest number of delegates with 465. It is closely followed by Katsina, 384; Borno, 324; Osun, 308; Lagos, 304; Oyo, 292; Jigawa, 266; Niger, 251; Ogun, 248 and Nasarawa 245 delegates.
Other states with their delegates are: Imo 236; Kaduna 234; Kogi 222; Yobe 222; Ekiti 216; Ondo 200; Kebbi 213; Bauchi 202; Kwara 195; Cross River 194; Sokoto 193; Plateau 185; Adamawa 184; Benue 180; Delta 170; Zamfara 169; Edo 168; Akwa Ibom 165; Anambra 163; Abia 154; Ebonyi 154; Rivers 151; Taraba 146; Gombe 134; Enugu 131; Bayelsa 79 and FCT 53.
The party has fixed the presidential primaries for May 30-31.
The party’s constitution, Article 20, stipulates that candidates are to be selected through consensus, direct or indirect primaries.
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While direct primaries may be tedious and unacceptable, consensus too is unlikely. The most probable mode of selection of APC presidential ticket, according to The Star’s finding, is through indirect primaries.
The party’s delegates for indirect primaries are made up of: national chairman, one member of NEC from each state, serving and past presidents and vice presidents, serving and past governors and deputy, serving and past lawmakers (federal and states), past speakers, deputies, and principal officers of the state houses of assembly and past members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Others are 17 members of the State Working Committee (SWC); LGA chairmen and secretaries; three national delegates from each of the 774 local government areas and elected chairmen.
Leading presidential aspirants are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ex-Governor Bola Tinubu and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Others who have declared or are in the process of making their presidential declaration are: Governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and Ihechukwu Dallas Chima.
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