Two chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress are in contention to head the 2027 presidential campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sources close to the ruling party and some of its governors also said the party's leadership had yet to make up its mind on whom to fully support, as different power brokers lined up behind the two close allies of the president.
The two men are the governor of Imo State, who is also the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma and the former governor of Zamara State, Senator Abdul'aziz Yari.
Our correspondent gathered that a close associate of the president, James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, is among those behind Yari.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
It was also gathered that some governors from the northern region are behind Yari.
"Yes, it is true that some people are pushing for the two men. James Faleke and some northern governors are backing Yari.
The President hasn't said anything about that," one of the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, told our correspondent yesterday night.
Another source, " Governor Uzodimma has done so much for the President and the president is likely going to pick him and name the governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, as his deputy. So, if the two men are picked, that will balance both the religious and geographical equations."
It was also gathered that, barring a last-minute change of plans, Tinubu's campaign will be christened "Tinubu Renewed Hope Campaign 2027".
However, while the Imo governor has the backing of some southern governors, his counterparts from the north have reportedly opposed his appointment on the grounds of regional balance.
Those reportedly mentioned include a former speaker and former governor of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Masari; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and former national caretaker committee of the APC and current governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni.
"Those listed above are not actually in the race, but some are merely dropping their names," a presidential source said.
