The journey to 2015, no doubt, has begun in many circles. But some political blocs from the South-East and Northern part of the country are leading in the horse trading.  They have blown the whistle on the race for the presidency but without making any categorical statement on who the cap might fit at the most auspicious time.

Though there is no way to ascertain the mind’s construction on the face, pundits say going by the emerging political trends, some of the current actors form part of the class of political figures to watch out for in 2012. While some said their body language is a pointer to the kind of influence they are likely to wield in the year and beyond, others stated that expediency has set out certain roles for some of the political figures.

President Goodluck Jonathan
Having been placed by providence in a vantage position to lead the country, the manner in which he directs the affairs of his administration will go a long way in charting a new course for the country. His leadership style, charm and vision in giving life to his programmes and policies will reshape the country and engrave his name in history.

Vice President Namadi Sambo
Like his boss, he rose from the position of a state governor to his present exalted office. His friends, associates and admirers have consistently stood by him during good and bad times after the 2011 presidential elections. A couple of them have openly declared that he remains the de facto leader of the North because of his present position as vice president.

Senator David Mark
He is leading the Senate for the second time under eight years. He has been able to worm himself into the hearts of many because of his leadership style as the president of the Senate. In fact, a lot of his admirers believe he has been demonstrating enviable virtues that could recommend him for bigger political responsibilities and challenges in the nearest future.

Dr. Babangida Aliyu
He is the governor of Niger State. He is on the second stanza after being elected for four-year tenure, the maximum provided for in the 1999 constitution for the executive arm of governor. Vocal, intelligent and forthright, he has become a rallying point among elected public officers in the North. He cuts the image of a bridge builder, especially between the Northern and the Southern part of the country, not necessarily because of his experience as a permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

Governor Isa Yuguda
He is also serving four-year tenure. The one-time minister is said to be building a solid political structure that can stand the test of time. Apart from his supporters and friends, he is also known to have broken a lot of barriers through political friendship and conviviality.

Governor Godswill Akpabio
Ebullient, witty and frank, Akpabio is among the youngest leading political actors in the present dispensation. He presides over Akwa Ibom State, which is one of the major oil-bearing states in the country.

Generous and engaging, Akpabio has proved to be a smooth operator and great facilitator in the political circle. His admirers describe him as a man who has a date with history and will never compromise the vision and goal.

Dr. Bello Mohammed Haliru
He is the Minister of Defence. Largely reticent, he is regarded as a kingmaker. He presided over PDP and ensured that the party confirmed President Jonathan for the presidential poll and won. He is said to be one of those politicians, who do not believe in talking, but working assiduously both in public and private life, especially when given assignments. He is seen by some as the hand that rules the crown.

Honourable Waziri Tambuwal
He is seen to enjoy the appreciable support of members of the House of Representatives as speaker. Many also appreciate him for his intelligent quotient and charm. Above all, he is said to have the backing of very powerful forces within the political circle.

Governor Babatunde Fashola
He was able to raise the bar in public governance during his first four years in office as the governor of Lagos State. This was partly responsible for his journey to the Government House in Alausa, Ikeja last April. In spite of the public reservations that have accompanied a few of the policies and programmes of his administration lately, Fashola, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria [SAN], is tipped by some observers as another political figure to watch out for in the New Year.

Senator Bola Tinubu
He has been able to create an identity for himself in the political scene. He was able to achieve the feat by facilitating the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] from an embryonic stage to a winning political machine.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
There are those who believe the former president could wield some influence in the Year depending on how he moderates his actions and utterances on state policies and reaches out to his perceived adversaries. According to others, a lot will also depend on how he appreciates the realities about being out of power, considering the fact that his party needs to do more in order to be in contention for the political glory of the South-west, where he comes from.

Chief Olabode George
He is seen as the bridge between the various caucuses in PDP, especially in the South-West because of the prevailing situation. His admirers and even detractors acknowledged that it was during his tenure as PDP Deputy National Chairman that the party ensured the resounding presence of the party in the zone.  But a lot of his supporters and party men believe he was probably a misunderstood man, hence the tendency for a few individuals to thwart his efforts to rebuild PDP in the zone.

Governor Peter Obi
He appears to be the fulcrum for virtually all the political divides in the South-East. Obi, who is the governor of Anambra State, has used his position to galvanise the area and its leaders during critical times.

The role he played during the protracted illness of late Biafran leader, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu was the icing in the cake.