From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
All is now set for Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to formally declare his intension to contest for the 2023 presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, March 29.
Reliable sources close to the camp of the governor told Our Correspondent that Bello is now fully ready to make his intention public on that day unless there is a last minute change of mind.
Bello, it would be recalled has repeatedly told his supporters and admirers that he will only make a formal declaration after the national convention of the APC.
The source, however, did not disclose whether the declaration will take the form of a political rally, press conference or issuance of a public statement .
Bello is said to be encouraged and embolden to contest the 2023 presidential election by his outstanding achievements in office as the governor of Kogi State since January 2016.
Topmost of the achievements, the source said is in the area of security where he has successfully fought kidnappers and armed robbers to a standstill.
“When last did you hear of kidnapping in the state . Bello has got rid of them,” the source said.
According to the source, Bello has over the past few months come under pressure from people from all walks of life and socio-political groups to contest the 2023 presidential election.
“He will not disappoint them. He will heed their calls, the calls are borne out of genuine intention, Bello is going to declare his presidential ambition on Tuesday, March 29, 2022,” the source stated.
The source did not state whether Dec k station will be made in Lokoja or Abuja.
However, Bello, will have to slug it out with the likes Bola Tinubu who has already made public his intention and Rotimi Amechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who are also being touted to be interested in the APC presidential ticket.
Tinubu had said that it has been his life time ambition to become the president of Nigeria.
One of the major tasks before the Senator Abdullahi Adamu led new National Working Committee of the APC is how to successfully organise and conduct a rancour – free presidential primary of the ruling party.
The NEC is yet to fix a date and announce modalities for the primaries.
However, the case appear to be different in the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State and a two term governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi have already indicated intention to contest the presidential primary of their party.
Each of them paid N40million to purchase the nomination and expression of interest forms as stipulated by the NEC of the PDP.
It is not yet clear how much the APC will charge for its nomination and expression of interest forms.