Daily Independent gathered exclusively that already, political associates of the Speaker have begun consultations across different political parties, especially the opposition camp.
There were unconfirmed reports that some aggrieved members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have opened discussions with the leadership of both the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the merger talks between the two parties peaked last week.
Curiously too, three Senators on the platform of the PDP as well as a former Governor (now a Senator) are said to be spear-heading the Tambuwal for President Project with tacit support of some opposition party members.
Three weeks ago, after their first meeting in a Middle East country, the group sought to extend their moves to the South West geo-political zone but for the reception organised for former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, as most of the former South West Governors and ex-Ministers already in the know of the project were busy with the former President's programme.
A source familiar with the move to draft Tambuwal into the 2015 race said on Sunday: "What we are doing is to take advantage of the current political mood of the nation vis-à-vis what is going on within the PDP; in the PDP if we continue this way, what we are facing is forced political enslavement by mediocres who are doing everything to entrench themselves.
"As at today, no one can be said to be happy that we are in this mess, and some selfish individuals rather than giving quality advice to the President, are making things difficult for him by the day.
"For all the opposition against the President, even by his opponents, no one has said the man is bad as a person; but there are certain persons who mill around him to confuse him.
"We are aware that such persons have already commenced moves to say the man should run; for such persons, it is a matter of personal survival and not that of the country and not because they love President Jonathan.
"The reason we are exploring other options is that when a sitting President decides to contest the ticket of the PDP, especially in Nigeria, it is difficult for anyone to beat him to the ticket.
"That is why we are gunning for a younger person to challenge him should he decide to run; and the platform could be any party, especially now that all other political parties are coming together to fight the PDP," the source said.
The source, however, added that Tambuwal was yet to open any discussions with the group.
"The man appears to be studying the situation, he has kept quiet, but we will forge ahead to save the nation from being plunged into crisis."
Tambuwal, a member of the PDP, became Speaker in 2011 against the wish of the party leadership, including the Presidency.
ACN-led opposition elements within the House voted for Tambuwal to emerge as Speaker.
It could not be immediately confirmed if the suggestions in some quarters that both Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the CPC and ACN respectively should bury their individual ambitions for the merger project between them to work was in line with the new permutations of the pro-Tambuwal politicians.
But National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Lai Mohammed, said no stone would be left unturned to make the merger work.
"Surprises, sacrifices have to be made to chase out PDP in 2015.
"As far as I know, the issue of merger is a foregone conclusion. We know that the PDP is jittery and has always re-echoed one thing: 'the merger will not work'.
"But let me tell you that where there is an inscription, 'no thorough fare', it means there is a road. This time around, we will make very surprising sacrifices to make the merger work and chase out the non-performing PDP from the centre so that Nigerians can be free.
"As we forge ahead in this direction, everyone is important and all are equal as long as the shared vision is zealously guided and guarded to allow for real democracy to be sustained in the country.
"We call it the Noah's Ark, it can accommodate all and our doors will not be shut against any person.
"I can tell you on a good authority that quite a good number of PDP leaders who are not happy with what is happening in the country are already talking to us; and we shall get there by 2015," Mohammed said.
Dailytrust
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