All is set for the 2019 presidential battle with President Muhammadu Buhari launching his campaign tagged “Next Level” today. He is beating the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the game.
The Presidential Candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar will on Monday unveiled his Policy Document.
Also, the President may by Monday announce members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Although the list of members of the Council was kept under wraps last night, our correspondent gathered that it may be chaired by the President who will be assisted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, co-chairman and governors as coordinators.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi retains his portfolio as the Director-General of the campaign.
This is coming as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today lift ban on campaign for 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Feb. 16, 2019.
A statement by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC Director Of Voter Education and Publicity, yesterday in Abuja said that political parties which fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country.
Investigation by our correspondent show that President Buhari has adopted “Next Level” as the theme of his campaign in order to give Nigerians a peep of where he is taking the nation to in the next four years.
It was learnt that all APC governors have been invited to the launching of “Next Level” at the Presidential Villa by 4pm today.
As at press time, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha was busy with logistics for the launch which is being coordinated by the Vice President.
A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Next level is the theme of President Buhari’s campaign. It is about the next set of ideas and programmes we are taking the country to.
“The President will on Sunday reel out all his achievements; he will present his score card and manifestoes coded the “Next Level”.
“The launch of Next Level is to prepare the ground for a nationwide comprehensive campaign. We will surely take the battle to the PDP and other parties.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has been constituted with the President as the chairman, supported by Osinbajo, many co-chairmen, APC governors, the National Chairman of APC, ministers including Adamu Adamu (Education) and Hadi Sirika (Aviation) and other party leaders like Farouk Adamu.
“Hopefully by Monday, the list of the PCC members will be out. We have kept the list under wraps because we know PDP has been spying on us.
“Even the launch of Next Level has caught many unawares because we felt we should beat the opposition to its game.”
A source in the PCC of PDP said the party’s presidential candidate will on Monday unveil his Policy Document.
Although Atiku was in Yola last night, he was being expected in Abuja on Monday to present his manifestoes allegedly drafted by a 400-man team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about three weeks ago.
The source in PDP said: “The Policy Document is more of a farewell to disunity, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and underdevelopment in Nigeria.
“It contains practical and measurable solutions to all problems facing this country.”
Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC will meet on Wednesday on the setting up of a reconciliation committee and work on campaign structure for victory in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).