PREDICTIONS: Meet The 5 Powerful Politicians Who May Likely Win The 2019 Presidential Elections

Ahead of 2019 general elections, some political parties are beginning to re-structure themselves. Some are yet engrossed in persistent power tussles. Pundits are theorizing and analyzing. Political mathematicians are busy with their calculations and extrapolations. The masses are keenly observant as speculation has become quite trendy.

Its already two years down the line and the next general elections are almost here with us . Tempers are rising, politicians are planning and opposition parties are linking up to wage a colossal contest come 2019.

Recall, just recently some Igbo leaders had attacked Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on his views that the Igbos should get ready for the 2019 presidency. These leaders are of the opinion that the former president was not being sincere with that particular statement as they believe his was only mocking Ndigbo.

On the flip side, some other Igbo leaders have condemned those attacking Obasanjo for calling on Ndigbo to position themselves for the 2019 presidency, saying that the two-time leader should be commended for being a friend of Ndigbo and the leaders of Ndigbo should work towards actualizing the dream of becoming the president come 2019.

The question is;  Who among the Igbos have higher chances of winning the favour of voters from other geo-politcal zones apart from the south east?

While the name of the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha keeps popping up, pundits argue that he may not  be the candidate as he has said he will not contest the 2019 presidential election because of President Muhammadu Buhari. Okorocha stressed that the President had so far displayed leadership and should be encouraged.

But then, the governor made those remarks when Mr. president was readily available. Now that there is a twist, and Buhari is away on a twice-extended vacation in the Uk and with no precise date for his return, we do hope that the Imo leader will stay firm with his commitment.

In a recent development, the governor who is a Chieftain of the governing APC, reportedly began making some pro-Igbo comments and this has got people talking. Many argue that those comments were a subtle way by which the leader seeks to position himself in other win the favour of Ndigbo now that Mr.President is away indefinitely. A statement that is yet to be substantiated.

Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha who was born on 22 September 1962 is a Nigerian multi billionaire businessman, education philanthropist, out-spoken politician from Imo State, Nigeria who won the 6 May 2011 gubernatorial election in Imo State and was reelected for his second term on April 11, 2015. He is the founder of Rochas Foundation, a charity comprising a number of special schools that are spread all over Nigeria that gives scholarship to the less privileged children in the Nigerian society.

In his first attempt, he ran on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform and ran on the All Progressives Congress in his second shot. In both occasions, Rochas defeated his closest rival, incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim and serving Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, by a close margin of votes and had to go for reruns. His teeming supporters strongly believe that he will do well at the presidential level.


Nigerians Make predictions for 2019

As the day draw closer, Nigerians are beginning to make some projections. Some of their inferences which will most likely get anyone thinking has persisted on the social media. With the caliber of the potential candidates whose name are topping the list of potential candidates, one would know that the 2019 presidential polls will be keenly contested.

Here are 5 powerful politicians who many online users believe are potential candidates for the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria.

1. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is no doubt the most popular Nigerian politician at the moment, going by his laudable performance so far as the Acting President while President Buhari is away on twice extended medical vacation in London.

Osinbajo is reputed to have so far been professional and diplomatic in discharging his constitutional mandates.  Many are of the opinion that he is the best vice president in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Political analysts on many platforms has stressed that with the cordial relationship which is visible between him and his boss, President Buhari, the chances are there that Buhari wouldn't  mind giving him a chance to succeed him in 2019.

Osinbajo stands a great chance at becoming the next democratically elected president of Nigeria if the zoning formula does not work against him,

2. Senator Muhammadu Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso

According to some online sources, many Nigerians believe that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso , former governor of Kano state is about the most popular northern candidate after President Muhammadu Buhari, and if one takes PMB out of the race the most of northern electorates will move to support the 60-year old senator representing Kano State Central Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National assembly.

Recall, Kwankwaso came second in 2015 APC presidential primary election. He was very popular in the last APC presidential primaries.

Kwankwaso until now remains is a close ally of PMB even though he was a PDP decampee just as Atiku, Saraki and others. He clears enjoys an excellent rapport with the presidency, some believe his bond with the presidency is stronger than that of the other contenders in the category.

3. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

There are some signs that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is interested in Aso Rock come 2019 there are also pointers suggestive of fact that this might just be his beat chance to actualize his goal.

Pundits are of the opinion that Atiku will have to put up a pragmatic strategy to win the votes from the north. As other northern leader such as Kwankwaso and Saraki may wish to join the race which greatly split his votes.

4. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The National leader of the governor, All Progressives Congress(APC),Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the two-time governor of Lagos state who is known as the 'Jagaban Borgu'. According to his teeming supporters, Tinubu is among the powerful politicians who may be eying the Office of Nigeria's president come 2019.

Tinubu’s influence can never be overstated as he was one of the key initiators and founders of APC which emerged by alliance of some opposition parties befor the 2015 general elections. Some would say that Jagaban principally saw to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the party because vast majority of the northern votes were shared between among PMB, Kwankwaso and Atiku.

Political analysts and social commentators are of the opinion that should the likes of Atiku, Kwankwaso, and Saraki contest in 2019, the northern votes will be splinted such that, a lone Tinubu from the south could become the APC standard bearer.

5. Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Senator Bukola Saraki who is currently the President of the Nigerian Senate is also a possible front-line contender of Nigerian's number political office. While some think he is the odd one out, it should be noted that as the number three man of the country, under-estimating Saraki's influence would be largely erroneous, considering the drama that brought him in position as the Senate President.

One major fact about Saraki is that he tends to have loyalists, supporters and friends in almost every tribe across the country; and he is well loved on the both divides of the APC and PDP. He has overtime maintained a cordial relationship with his deputy, senator Ike Ekweremadu, as both law makers might just be able to pull off that which they were able to manage in the Senate.

Nigerians are intelligent people and they are eagerly watching as the whole political episodes play. Their antennas are strong and their wits sharpened. Of a truth, the Nigerian populace are more informed today. People are more aware of that which is obtainable in the Nigerian political space.

Someone, recently said that with the Yar'Adua's 2010 case and the current PMB's absence, that Nigerians have learned to the utmost, all the lessons there is to learn about politics and leadership.

Nigeria's foremost opposition party, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is reportedly working hard to re-organize in a bid to make them witty enough not just to be able to play the opposition, but for them to become capable of unseating the APC come 2019. PDP is allegedly reaching out to other political parties who do not have presidential candidates in other for them to link up for a more robust opposition.

It therefore behooves the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of President Buhari, to seek out possible solutions towards ameliorating the sufferings of the masses. In the absence of President Buhari, it is expected that Acting president, Yemi Osibanjo should take some urgent steps towards stabilizing the economy. One would make bold to say that if the Acting president helps in making life easier for the populace he will be able to win back the hearts of the people who are currently saying that what they are witnessing today was never the kind change they asked for.