APC asks Buhari to appoint all governors who lost office as ministers in his new cabinet

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is said to be considering offering ministerial appointments to all three All Progressives Congress (APC) governors that were voted out of office in the last elections when he constitutes his new cabinet.

In the run-up to the recent general elections, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State lost out during the APC primaries, while governors Mohammed Bindow and Mohammed Abubakar of Adamawa and Bauchi states lost in the general elections. Both of them were defeated by the main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Governor Ambode lost to current governor Babajide Sanwoolu.

It is believed that the APC leadership had resolved that all governors who lost their re-election bids would automatically become the ministerial nominees for their states. Ahmed Lawan, the organising secretary of the APC in Adamawa State, conformed that Governor Bindow might be automatically nominated for the state, following the directive from the national leadership of the party.

He added:  “That is the directive from the national leadership and there’s no nomination outside of Bindow. They never asked us to make any nomination as in any state where the governor lost, he will be given a ministerial slot.”

Presidency sources said that Governor Ambode enjoyed the favour of President Buhari and his men and that there were strong indications he would make the list. However, it is feared that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's men might begin moves to stop Governor Ambode’s nomination, including petitioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Top party chiefs in Asiwaju Tinubu's Mandate Group alleged that the immediate past Lagos State governor frustrated many party members during his tenure and there was therefore the need to teach him a lesson. Consequently, the aggrieved party men were said to be making moves to petition the EFCC over Governor Ambode’s alleged financial misappropriation and corruption.

Governor Ambode, who has been out of the country since he left office in May, returned from France a few days ago and is said to be favoured by President Buhari’s kitchen cabinet. Sources within the Lagos APC said, however, that Governor Ambode was not a loyal party man and any move to reward him would be opposed vehemently.

“Ambode tried to destroy the party in his first term. Apart from not being accessible, he revoked contracts belonging to party members and brought in his own companies.

"He also tried to destroy our chances by trying to undermine Sanwoolu at every turn and he did not campaign for us. Rather, he was following Buhari all over the place, so he should not expect to represent Lagos in any capacity and we will not allow him have any appointment,” One party source said.