Patience Leonard, PBA Journalism Mentee and Victor EzejaAs Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his supporters relish his landslide victory with 1,271 votes in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, four other aspirants may now be licking their wounds having paid N100 million for the nomination forms only to score zero votes.
They are former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly, oil magnate, Tein Jack-Rich and Ikeobasi Mokelu.
Sen. Rochas Okorocha
Okorocha had bragged about having the support of northern delegates and would win the primaries. He said he had conviction that the delegates would give him their votes if not for anything, his philanthropic works but ended up with zero vote.
Revealing why he had the Northerner’s vote, he had said, “Other candidates have no idea about Arewa. Let them tell us about what they have done for Arewa.”
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Pst. Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community church (CGCC) also could not pull one vote. He earlier expressed confidence and ability to lead the country, saying, “I carry grace. I carry favour. I carry God-factor. Give me the opportunity to speak with party delegates and you will see what will happen. The president (i.e. Buhari) is 15th and I’ll be number 16th.”
Bakare was a running mate of Buhari in 2011 under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Buhari lost that election.
At the convention ground before voting commenced, he also said, “I am not here to step down for anyone. I am here to step up as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Tein Jack Rich
Tein Jack Rich, founder of Belemaoil producing Ltd went down with no vote as well. This happened after he had pledged job creation numbering about 450,000, among other lofty promises of improving the economy of the country and welfare of the citizens.
The Port Harcourt born Jack-Rich with his nice foreign accent and repeated story of his life, could not convince the delegates.
Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu
The three aspirants mentioned above were not alone in making the history of those that scored zero vote as Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, a former minister of Information and Culture during Abacha military administration, had similar fate.
Mokelu had while declaring intention to run for presidency said he was convinced of being eminently qualified to lead the country and solve her problems.
It was indeed a landslide victory for Tinubu having defeated his closest rival, Rotimi Amaechi with 955 votes. Amaechi scored 316 votes while the third runner up, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo socred 235 votes.
Tinubu who is also a national leader of the party, expressed his profound gratitude to seven aspirants: Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; Sen. Ajayi Borrofice; Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole; Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Barr. (Mrs.) Uju Kennedy, who stepped down for him in the presidential race.
He also noted that those who did not support him have nothing to fear as he would carry all along in forging ahead to 2023 general election.
He said, “The competition is now over.
“Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges or grievances.
“Let us each agree to join hands in defeating the PDP and beating back our common foes of poverty, terror and violence. We now have a date with destiny in February 2023. Let us win so Nigeria can become the nation it is intended to be.”
Patience Leonard, PBA Journalism Mentee
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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