People misinterpreted my comments on Buhari —Tinubu

The national leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reacted to comments trailing his speech on the prominent role he played in the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 elections.

In a statement signed by him on Friday, Tinubu said his comments were subjected to needless misinterpretations out of sectional political purposes.

The ex-governor of Lagos State stressed that he meant no derogatory statement on the office and person of the president, adding that he only set history straight.

He, however, emphasized the need for the ruling party to give all its presidential aspirants equal stakes in the forthcoming primary election.

Tinubu added that he had all it takes to turn Nigeria around, especially now that the lives of millions of Nigerians were at stake.

The statement reads: “We have entered the meat of primary season. Sensationalism and wilful inaccuracy tend to push aside truth during such moments. I make this statement so that truth and accuracy may have a chance.

“It is important that people truly know what I said and where I stand. Whatever view you have of me is within your right to make. But let it be based on truth and not on falsehood or reckless exaggeration.

“There have been gross misinterpretations in some sectors of the media regarding comments I made on Thursday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. To a degree, the erroneous interpretations may be somewhat innocent given that I spoke in Yoruba.

“Instead of weighing what I said carefully, they translated so quickly and thus inaccurately in an attempt to meet media deadlines. Of course, there are also those who knew better but they conveyed these inaccuracies because the sensationalism suits their political purposes.

“Again, such propaganda and misinformation become daily fare in the heat of the political season. Let’s just state what needs to be stated. My opponents want to present a narrative that I made comments disrespectful of President Muhammadu Buhari in hopes that such a narrative would convince President Buhari to oppose my aspirations regarding the approaching primary. President Buhari is an experienced and accomplished leader. I do not believe he will be taken by the tricks of such people.

“I believe I was the first aspirant to inform President Buhari of this presidential intention. It was a sign of the respect I have for him and his office. It is unthinkable that I would asperse the leader of the party for which I hope to be the next flag bearer. It makes no sense at all to do such an indelicate, unseemly thing.

Read also: Akpabio warns delegates on choice of wrong candidate in APC primary

“In Abeokuta, I spoke to the unwarranted attacks against my person that have been part of the campaign of others. I also recounted the history of the party for those whose memories need repair. There are many who had no role in the birth of the APC and in its many victories.

“I make no apologies for seeking the party’s nomination. I believe I have something important to offer Nigeria that the other aspirants do not have, although I see them as good and committed Nigerians in their own right. While I want this office, there are certain things I will not do and certain lines I shall not cross. I shall never belittle myself by denigrating the president or his office. I dare not seek an office and disrespect it at the same time.

“Governance of this nation is a sacred and solemn duty. It is neither to be given as a favour to someone who is unqualified nor should people be motivated by personal reasons to prevent the most qualified person from attaining the office.

“The well-being of over 200 million souls is at stake. Let us all realise this and act accordingly, I only desire a level playing ground for all aspirants and an adherence to stipulated rules and due process.

“If in the fairness of such a process, I do not emerge as the party’s candidate, I shall have no complaints regarding an honest primary and will accept the fair outcome as a true democrat.”

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