2023: Buhari reportedly anoints CBN Gov, Godwin Emefiele as successor

It’s all so confusing because of the frenetic pace of political development and the chameleonic shades exhibited by the political actors on the field. Surprise, shock and high blood pressure might define what some people may feel or have when matters clear out.

ENigeria Newspaper reports that the mystery was further raised a top notch when current President Muhammadu Buhari was reported to have said that, if he would disclose the successor that the he has in his mind, he will be eliminated.

This careful choice of words has become a brain cracking exercise for many analysts who have interpreted the context to be plain elimination or liquidation because the meaning seem variegated in our political lexicon.

What anyone with brain can deduce from that vague declaration of the President is that that the individual must be a political dark horse, simple, maybe quietly ambitious and has earned the President’s trust after multiple engagements assessment.

But what’s clear according to exclusive information from Aso Rock insiders, which ENigeria Newspaper is privileged to is that President Mhammadu Buhari has given a pointer to the shock that will greet the political class when that mystery or anointed candidate is revealed to Nigerians.

ENigeria Newspaper confidential source is certain and said that he can even volunteer a bet that person in question is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

If truly Emefiele is that mystery man, that the President fears may be eliminated if he dares to reveal him at this time, as our high level source dropped, one might ask, ‘How will President Buhari do it?’ The answer is simple. It will be by official State’s apparatus.

This will be a never before thought of drop-mic moment for the whole country. But let’s look at the plot with clear minds and eyes, awhile.

By intimation, blackmail, subterfuge and bone breaking arm-twisting through security agencies and enforcement agencies of the Federal Government and finally, fool a bunch of clueless and naïve voters who have a cult image estimation or demi-god perception of him.

Unarguably, the lion share of the APC base, the North-east and North-central where the President ‘Baba’ Buhari has overwhelming support will listen and follow him anywhere and everywhere.

No question about this demography of voters who command the most majority of single voting bloc in the country. And here’s our crystal ball. The President will simply drop the bomb and all other contenders will enter a most numbing political shock mode equivalent of America dropping bombs in Hiroshima, and before they recover, the deed has been done. Just like that, Godwin Emefiele will be President. Don’t write it off because it is coming. Just get ready.

ENigeria Newspaper reports that the people working this Emefiele arrangement, albeit clandestinely for now, have considered it to be a one-stop solution to a two-pronged problem of agitation for power shift from the North to the South.

Even though the body language of the President’s Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) is to zone the presidential ticket to the South of Nigeria. And in the South, it’s only the Igbos that have not tasted democratic presidency.

Without being perceived to condescend to the Igbos, an Emefiele ticket would be seen as a perfect fit to the jigsaw puzzle. He is considered an Igbo native of Delta State and a good bridge to the core Igbos.

Secondly, he is a Southerner and that answers to the APC supposed zoning question in name. But the most important determining factor of the cabal is that, he will be trusted to keep the patronage of the North alive without rocking the boat.

ENigeria Newspaper source who pleaded for anonymity said the president is fascinated with this idea which will ultimately be a masterstroke game-changer that will change the course of history of Nigerian democracy.

For now, former Lagos State Governor and APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has met with President Buhari to intimate him of his desire to succeed him, promising to continue with his policies thrust. But like many Nigerians and even Tinubu himself, no one can say with exactitude the President’s enthusiasm for him.

Because no categorical answer or commitment came out of his mouth. Former Imo Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha and Ebonyi Governor David Umahi, Orji Uzor Kalu, Bukola Saraki have declared their intention to run too. The days are still too early to count how many aspirants will throw their hat in the ring. But what is sure, is that President Buhari already has a candidate in mind.

Emefiele may be a political neophyte but he certainly has ingratiated himself into the hearts of the Northern elites by doling out donations to all kinds of schemes, programs and special interventions that have no connect to fiscal management of the economy but which have benefited the North and a cabal of ravenous vultures whose only stock is peddling influence and link to the Aso Rock.

Leading corporation heads that have benefitted from his lax or skewed economic policies especially the controlled FOREX patronage are said to be solidly behind him, too.