- Tinubu Denies Planning to Dump APC
In spite of the persistent rumours that he is at loggerheads with the leadership of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), former Lagos State governor and a leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has denied plotting to form a new mega-party to wrestle power from the APC in 2019.
“This government, APC, is for the betterment of the people and the national purpose is bigger and more important than any individual’s desires,” Tinubu tweeted on Monday. “This is a party I laboured with others to build.We would not abandon it for another. Millions of Nigerians who voted are watching.”
Tinubu has been having a running battle with APC’s national chairman John Odigie-Oyegun over the Ondo primaries and had openly called for his removal in a published statement. He alleged that Odigie-Oyegun, with others, conspired to ‘steal the Ondo primary’.
Rotimi Akeredolu, who allegedly got the blessings of some APC leaders led by Odigie-Oyegun and some ministers, won the primaries against Segun Abraham, the alleged preferred candidate of Tinubu. Akeredolu eventually won the governorship election and Tinubu was quick to congratulate him.
In the bid to dispel rumour of Tinubu’s displeasure with APC’s leadership, President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement denied having any rift with the APC leader. He, in fact, said he was constantly consulting with Tinubu on matters of importance.
Regardless of whether he does not see eye-to-eye with his party’s leaders, Tinubu’s statement on Monday showed he was ready to stick with the APC while tacitly acknowledging his misgivings with APC leadership. He, however, indicated that those misgivings can be resolved for the good of the ruling party.
“In our Journey to national betterment,plans and policies will be made,then amended. Mistakes will occur and then corrected. Achievements will be had and replicated. Through it all, I, Asiwaju will remain true to the progressive ideals that fueled the creation of APC,” Tinubu said.
“I have devoted my political life to achieve what has been achieved. My heart is too much of the people and my mind too fixed on establishing a positive historic legacy, rather than engage in destructive pettiness.”
