Tinubu is one of the front runners in the contest for the APC presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections.
And not only is he a front runner, the former governor of Lagos State has support of many governors that cuts across his South-West geopolitical zone and stretches to other parts of the country for the party’s ticket.
No fewer than 12 of the 23 APC governors are said to be working for his emergence as the next President of the country.
But there are reports of powerful forces working against him especially from the North which has now produced some aspirants contrary to the expectation that, based on the power rotation understanding, the southern part of Nigeria should produce the President in 2023.
According to the associate, the development was the reason a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, stated recently that Tinubu had Plan B if the APC primary is manipulated against him.
Although, he noted that APC remains the primary platform Tinubu intends to actualize his dream of presiding over the affairs of the nation, options, including moving to the SDP, would be explored if the primary comes short of transparency and credibility.
“We are not unaware of recent developments and attempts to insult a man who has paid his dues in the political evolution of this country.
“But that is not important for now. What I can tell you is that our leader, like other contestants, is looking forward to a credible process that would lead to the emergence of our flag bearer.
“But if that process is compromised, I can tell you for free that we will encourage him to explore other options. “Yes, a lot has been said about SDP and Asiwaju. When we get to that bridge, we will cross it.
“SDP offered him a platform to become a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria years ago but, for now, he is in APC and will remain there until circumstance dictates otherwise”.
Meanwhile, the rumoured Plan B is generating anxiety among Tinubu’s associates.
The Director General of Ondo State Network for Bola Tinubu, Tolu Babaleye, called the speculation a lie from the pit of hell, wondering how a landlord would abandon his house for tenants.
On his part, the Director General of BATOC 23, Dr Ayo Owoade, said: “First, if we are sure that we will have a free and fair primary election devoid of manipulation, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the candidate to beat. No one can beat him in a fair contest.
“However, if there is no fairness in the primary or some people eventually succeed to impose consensus on the party, as we know some people are seriously struggling to do, then Asiwaju has his options.
“For us at BATOC 23, whatever Asiwaju decides is what we will support. We are not just with him, we believe in his ability and capacity to engineer a new Nigeria.
“The party, we believe, will not want to embark on self-destruction by not allowing party members to exercise their right to decide a candidate.
“We hope the party will listen to the voice of wisdom and allow the people’s will to prevail.