The last time they staged their conspiratorial scheme to stop the political upclimb of Goodluck Jonathan, the plot failed to fly. In fact, the incompatibility of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Yoruba Moslem-dominated Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and its Northern Islamic ally, the Muhammadu Buhari-led Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, became an unmanageable, uncivil open war.
Now the grand conspirators have resumed talks to put a stop to the anticipated millennium-long reign of Africa’s so-called largest political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The two lead personas in the expected murky intrigue, Buhari and Tinubu, hoping to make huge dividends from the ungovernable polity that they both heavily assisted to create, have intensified their opposition agenda against President Goodluck Jonathan.
Tinubu led some of his supporters for an unanticipated discussion session with Muhammadu Buhari at the latter’s home in Katsina. The unfolding romance between the two political camps that had a rancorous alliance meltdown during last year’s presidential running-mate picking process has immediately set tongues wagging. Watchers of Nigerian politics wonder if the two groups which parted ways in very bitter circumstances last year would be able to work together towards victory in 2015.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the meeting the former military head of state Buhari’s residence, Tinubu and Buhari announced that there must be change in 2015 and that such change must be positive. The duo, however, declined to comment on the proposed merger of the two parties, although investigations reveal that merger talks were top on the agenda of the meeting.
Others at the meeting included the Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former minister Hassan Lawal and Senator Abu Ibrahìm.
Tinubu, who addressed journalists after the meeting said they merely paid their “leader” a visit, to reciprocate his earlier visit to him in Lagos, adding that they were for positive change in 2015.
“I will rather allow you to wait until the pigeon is out of the hut. This is a return visit to the general, who paid us a courtesy call in Lagos, particularly myself and that is all.
“As politicians, we discussed generally the situation in the country and how we can help ameliorate the situation and help solve the problem.
“I will allow you to make your wise judgment about that. I am a politician and not a magician. I will rather allow you to wait until the pigeon is out of the hat,” he said.
However, the former military leader noted that the nation would witness a formidable opposition in 2015.
“You have asked him, he has answered the questions. I am satisfied with his explanation and there is no way I can disagree with whatever he has said, being my guest. He said it is a return visit and that is what it has been. Certainly, we are likely to see a formidable opposition in 2015,” Buhari said.
Tinubu, who later interjected, said “we hope to see a positive change in 2015 and not opposition. We don’t want to be perpetually in opposition. Every politician wants an opportunity to govern.”
- Additional reports from the Nigerian Tr