Tinubu
The National Leader of
the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday declared that
the party would follow the normal democratic process in choosing its standard
bearer for the 2019 presidential election.
He said the leadership of the party had not endorsed
President Muhammadu Buhari as its sole candidate for the forthcoming
presidential election.
His declaration was against the recent endorsement of
President Muhammadu as the sole candidate of the APC for the 2019 election
by the APC governors.
Tinubu held a closed
meeting with the leaders of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the
Afenifere, at the residence of the leader of the organisation, Pa Reuben
Fasoranti, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Tinubu, who was at the meeting with the Governor of Ondo
State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi and the
Acting Chairman of the APC in the state, Mr. Ade Ademehin, said Buhari was a
man who believed in democratic process and the rule of law.
Tinubu in response to a question on an alleged automatic
ticket for President Buhari, said, “I have not heard about that and the APC
spokesman has not said that. No governor can appropriate the power of
endorsement to himself. President Buhari is a believer in process; the Buhari I
know believes in the rule of law and due process.
“We wanted him even before the last convention and
primaries of the party and Akeredolu is here standing with me, he was not the
governor then. He was one of the leading delegates that voted properly and
Buhari was a clear winner.
“We follow all the constitutional provisions and an
individual opinion does not matter at this stage. Buhari will want a normal
process – Buhari that I know. Who says he will lose at any convention?
“But if the national body, the NEC and all of us as
members, endorse him as our single candidate, we will not be violating INEC
regulations, we will not be violating our party’s constitution. What you are
hearing is just a campaign. Buhari has not excluded anybody, and he has not
stopped anybody from aspiring or contesting.”
On his meeting with the Afenifere leader, the former
governor of Lagos State said he came to see Fasoranti to seek his advice and
prayers as one of the leaders in Yorubaland.
He said, “I am in Akure to acknowledge the leadership of
Pa Fasoranti in our own race; he is a great leader of the Omoluwabi and
in his twilight, we want him to be happy. He has been a great leader to all of
us. His intellect is still very intact. We are here to seek his advice, seek
his understanding and prayers. That is why I am here.”
Fasoranti, in his remark, noted that Tinubu’s visit was an
indication of great things to come, particularly to the unity of the Yoruba
race.
He said, “With the coming together of Yoruba leaders,
there will be an understanding on major issues affecting the Yoruba race. We
will consult and move ahead. As it is now, there will be a great understanding
among the leaders as Tinubu is a leader in his own right.
“I think it (the visit) should lead to reconciliation, ARG
and the mainstream, as Tinubu has a leg there. They are his supporters.
This signal shows we will come together.”.
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