Strong indications emerged Wednesday that a national leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu may join the gubernatorial race for 2019 in the state, National Pilot has learnt.
Aremu is presently a member of National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC and the chairman of the National Union, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN).
It was further gathered that Aremu has already commenced “serious” consultation within and outside the state over the issue and may make an official position known anytime soon.
Although a prominent unionist and labour activist, it was not clear under which platform Aremu may contest the top seat come 2019.
A source who spoke on the issue said that part of the ongoing discussion is whether he will go for the contest alone or embrace the search for a consensus arrangement with other opposition political parties in the state.
According to the impeccable source, some of the loyalists of Aremu have started organising prayers at home and outside the country for divine direction over the actualisation of the mandate.
“Aremu is seriously considering contesting for the gubernatorial race in 2019 and he had already started consultations within and outside the state over the issue.
“Those that are urging him to contest see him as somebody with the character and experience that add value and bring freshness to the process which the state had lacked for long.
“For now, the party under which to contest has not been decided and he is still weighing that. And part of the ongoing consultations is to decide whether to go stand alone or join other opposition parties to select a consensus candidate to challenge the ruling APC.
“But in the weeks ahead, the picture of things will be clearer and official position will be issued. But while the consultation is ongoing, some of the loyalists have also gone spiritual over the issue especially during the Ramadan”, the source added.
Efforts to speak with Aremu over the matter on Wednesday were not successful.
When contacted, Aremu neither confirm or deny the issue but said “it is something that we will make open whether we are going to (contest) or not.
Aremu’s alleged interest in the Kwara governorship race is coming few months after reports that opposition political parties in the state may go for consensus and popular candidate to give the APC “serious challenge” for the top seat in 2019.
Apart from Aremu, others who are still said to be keeping their ambition under wraps for now till the coast is clear included the chairman of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Alhaji Ishaq Modibo Kawu.
When Pilot Politics contacted the NBC boss on the issue recently, he neither confirmed nor denied but simply said “I work with the National Broadcasting Commission, thank you”.
