“Underestimate Saraki At Your Own Peril” | 2019 Presidential Elections And The Likely Contenders (Pt 1) By Chinyere Akataobi

Alignments have started, friends are turning foes, brothers are turning enemies and life-long friendships are being thrown aside for power. The games concerning several thrones are about to begin and by the end of the current year, politicians across the entire nation will be at each other’s throat for positions they hope to occupy by May 29 2019.


Election season is indeed fast coming upon and as in every electoral season the race for the presidency promises to be interesting. The current President’s ill-health has thrown a high dose of uncertainty into the mix and the confusion is the

This piece would take a look at the individuals who may likely contest the 2019 Presidential election.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

For a man who contested for the presidency and failed three times, fate has indeed dealt him a cruel blow. While the jury is still out on his performance, his die-hard supporters will point to his failing health as the reason why he has been unable to work towards the vision he sold to Nigerians.

The complexity of the situation is enough to threaten the peace of the entire nation, the honorable thing for Buhari would be to resign but this is Nigeria; we don’t resign, no one should be surprised if he decides to run again and trust me he would have his backers.

YEMI OSIBANJO

In saner climes Acting President Yemi Osibanjo would be the political analyst’s favorite to be the next President he checks all the boxes as far as qualification for the office of the president is concerned but we are a nation were issues like zoning takes pre-eminence over competence.

His seeming loyalty to Tinubu whose influence is on the wane within the APC is also a factor that may count against him. Things can change in 24-hours and Mr Osibanjo would no doubt be a step up from his ailing boss if he decides to contest.

GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Hero, ineffectual, weak, democrat, corrupt, no one divides opinion like the Bayelsan-born leader whose star seemed to shine brighter after he left office in defeat last time out. Nigeria’s ex-president still has the constitutional right to be president for another four years.

Considering factors like timing, zoning and not so solid party structure, 2019 may be too soon for Goodluck Jonathan to run again.

NASIR EL RUFAI

It has been muted in several quarters that if President Buhari is to be replaced, a core northerner must replace him, very few fits the bill as much as El rufai does.

A known performer and one whose competence is not in doubt, past comments in the media have unfortunately given him the bigotry tag.

There is also the big matter of his lack of democratic ethos which his critics regularly point to.  His independent mind will make him unattractive to powers who direct the electoral wind of the nation but he has the drive and tenacity to move enough weight to get him to the finish line.

ATIKU ABUBAKAR

Atiku Abubakar is a serial contender whose pedigree casts him among the top dogs fit enough to occupy the highest office in the land. He would certainly be in the race once again this year if his body language is anything to go by.

A founding member of both the PDP and APC, he will at home in either of the two parties. His charm and political ingenuity has been an asset that has served him well over the years. He will be received warmly anywhere in the nation as he has built bridges across the entire nation.

Given our current experience age may be the major drawback in his candidacy as the country, party and region may not want a repeat of the current situation but Atiku looks fit and in excellent health. Maybe he may get lucky this time, who knows?

SULE LAMIDO

The symbol of modern Talakawaism who perhaps should have done more in terms of building partnerships across the nation. Good things are usually said about his time as Jigawa’s governor but his inability to play the media game may have cost him the mileage needed to give others in the field a run for their money.

Age may also count against him but his attractiveness to the masses in the north is indeed a plus in the region whose voting numbers cannot be ignored, perhaps 2017 may not too late to start the process of selling him across the nation.

AMINU WAZIRI TAMBAUWAL

A class act in governance, who has carried himself well enough to command respect from political watchers.

Tambauwal goes about his business with minimal fuss, he has the age, temperament and guile to manage the nation a diverse as ours. It remains to be seen whether “the establishment” would endorse his candidacy should he declare interest.

OLUSOLA SARAKI

“Underestimate Saraki at your own peril, he was thrown to the wolves and returned as leader of the pack”

The statement above are the words of my close friend Adeshina Peter and I dare say no one has described the Senate President’s situation as aptly as he has.

The apple didn’t fall far and the former Governor’s forum chairman knows the game well.

He learnt his craft at the feet of one of the very best politicians our nation has ever had. He is at home in either of the two parties as his fiercest supporters in the senate are from a rival party.

He would be the dark horse in the race due to the fact that he isn’t from the core north {if he decides to run}.