APC USES CATTLE RANCHING AS CRITERION FOR ITS GOVERNORSHIP TICKET IN IMO, RIVERS, ENUGU, OGUN.

We have reliably gathered what transpired in the meeting between President Muhammadu and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in some selected states just few days before the party's governorship primaries. The national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole and the chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari were also in the said meeting.

President Buhari appealed to APC leaders from these states to assist him in solving herdsmen and farmers crisis that has characterised his administration. He said the problem will be history if states provide land for cattle ranching, but the stiff opposition the proposal is facing is giving his government headache. Buhari made them to know that APC is looking for governorship candidates who will key into ranching in their respective states so that it will be easy to implement it in next dispensation if the party still controls the center.



Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State did not agree to the plan, he complained thar a lot of negative things have been said about him and his government in not just Imo State but the entire Southeast, asking his preferred candidate, Uche Nwosu to support cattle ranching in Imo State is suicidal to his political career and legacy. But on the contrary, Hope Uzodinma agreed to key into the plan if given the ticket.

When asked, Senator Magnus Abe said he doesn't have any problem with ranching but if truth must be told, it will be very difficult to convince Rivers people to give out their land for cattle ranching. But Amaechi said he discussed that with his anointed candidate, Tonye Cole, he hinted that Tonye Cole had already included it in his development programme, and when campaign starts properly, they will inculcate Rivers people with the idea of cattle ranching so that implementation won't be a problem.

We learnt that Enugu APC leaders unanimously agreed to support cattle ranching, but Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosu vehemently opposed it, citing series of rejection of the proposal by Yoruba leaders.

This is why indirect primaries was chosen for Rivers State as against the earlier directive of the party to conduct direct primaries for states where the party doesn't have a sitting governor, and consequently Tonye Cole emerged. Same thing made Uche Nwosu to lose out to Hope Uzodinma despite being backed by one of Buhari's closest allies in Southeast. Amosu's preferred candidate, Adekunle Akinlade was dropped for Adedapo Abiodun who agreed to push cattle ranching in Ogun State if given the ticket.

Following this development, APC fully backed by the presidency has marked the above states as must-win states in the south.