2019: Tinubu opposes Okorocha, APC govs, says Buhari has to fight for his ticket like everyone else

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has punctured the claim of Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha that President Muhammadu Buhari’s ticket for a second term is office is a done deal.

According to the former Lagos State governor, the APC will follow the normal democratic process in choosing its flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election.

Okorocha had on Tuesday, said that 34 governors in the country were in support of the president continuing in office beyond 2019.

Okorocha, stated this while addressing leaders of the Democratic Youths Congress for Buhari 2019, who paid him a courtesy visit in Owerri on Tuesday, adding, that

He called on Nigerians to support President Buhari for second term, adding, that “President Buhari is the best for the country at the moment and that there could not have been a better option now.

Read Also : DSS,NIA/EFCC CLASH: How this is handled will tell Nigerians how Buhari wants to fight corruption —SERAP
It would also be recalled, that APC governors, had also recently endorsed President Buhari as the sole candidate of the APC for the 2019 election.

However, Tinubu noted that that the leadership of the party, especially its NEC, had not endorsed Buhari as its sole candidate for the forthcoming presidential election, meaning that Buhari, like other aspirants would have to fight for the party’s ticket.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday after a closed door meeting with the leaders of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State.

Those who attended the meeting with Tinubu included the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, his Deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi and the Acting Chairman of the APC in the state, Mr. Ade Ademehin.

Tinubu also explained, that the Buhari he knows is a man who believes in democratic process and the rule of law, and hence, would also like the process to run its course.

Speaking further on the issue of an automatic ticket for Buhari, Tinubu 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 mission to Akure, Tinubu 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.”

 

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now