IBB, Obj should focus on their pensions and ‘allow us move our country forward’- Tinubu

National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has responded to recent critical letters against President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC by former president Olusegun Obasanjo and former head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, advising them to join the club of retirees.

Tinubu said this on Tuesday while addressing state house correspondents at the end of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari

Bisi Akande, former interim chairman of the APC, accompanied Tinubu to the meeting.

Tinubu said, “I don’t address those shadows. We should let our former presidents join retirees’ club and take pensions but they can participate in our politics if they are interested.

“It is a free world but this freedom is not served a la carte but they should allow us to move our country forward. It is a challenge to every Nigerian.”

Asked how he felt about his new assignment to reconcile aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congres (APC), Tinubu said, “Well, l feel greatly honoured with the mutual confidence that the president has reposed in me which is a very strong political challenge. We have started in earnest. He has given me free hand to put coercion, confidence and trust in the party.

Read also: Again Tinubu, Akande meet Buhari at Aso Villa

“Democracy is about conflict resolution process. You can’t do it without resolving conflicts. We can’t build it without understanding the conflicts and sources where we are coming from. But we want to leave the country with a legacy. It’s not about Mr. President. That is what he’s telling the country. It’s about our country, and no other choice to democratic tenets than through political party platforms.

“He (Buhari) is one of those rare beings around the country, around Africa who had experienced both worlds: he fought a battle to save Nigeria and came to politics to save Nigeria. Very rare people have such an opportunity in their lives time and that’s what we talk about; legacy. And where we have all the challenges, do what we should do. I’m enjoying the challenges so far.”

The APC national leader said the party had a better chance to win the 2019 general elections which, he assured, would be conducted in a most transparent and democratic manner.

Asked what the chances of the APC are in 2019, Tinubu said, “You are asking me an obvious question! I belong to this party. My commitment is to this party. We have a better chance and we are strongly determined to prosecute election in a most transparent and democratic manner and we will win.”

 

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