Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos state has hit back at reports that he is planning to impose a candidate on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s August 27 primary election in Ondo state. According to Tinubu, he has the right to back whoever he likes to emerge as candidate of the APC in the Ondo state governorship election, The Cable reports. His reaction comes on the heels of an allegation by Dr. Tunji Abayomi, APC gubernatorial aspirant, who claimed that he (Tinubu) summoned all the party’s leaders to Lagos, where he directed them to ensure that another candidate, Dr. Segun Abraham emerges as the party’s candidate.
Segun Abraham
Reacting to an open letter by Tunji Abayomi, who is also a lawyer in Ondo, Tinubu said Abayomi would not have attacked him if he had endorsed his ambition.
The aspirant had described Tinubu as a “man who frustrates the democratic aspirations of Nigerians through his dictatorial tendencies”.
Tunji Abayomi
However, Tinubu denied the allegation, saying he has always been a democrat and would remain one.
Bola Tinubu has slammed reports that he is planning to impose a candidate on
APC ahead of the party’s August 27 primary election in Ondo.
He said: “You have been a friend and will continue to be. Thus, I can dispense with needless formality so that we can get to the crux of the issue. Your career is that of a lawyer and activist. I appreciate all that you have done in the pursuit of a more just and democratic Nigeria. However, your letter to me is an impetuous display unbecoming a man of your status and a man seeking the highest leadership position in his state. And as a lawyer you well know that one cannot seek equity without having done equity. “In writing the letter, you appear to have been bitten by a bug that often blinds the objectivity of a man. You have been bitten by an ambition that you fear you shall not be able to realize. “In your pursuit of office, you have sought my support and influence. When you sought that support, you thought it proper and democratic to do so. If I had signalled my support for you, I am sure that you would never have written this letter alleging that I was undermining the democratic will of the people. You would have been pleased with me, I suppose.
“You said I seek to deny your democratic right. It is you who seeks to grab mine. If not mistaken, I believe I am a member of the APC. I reserve the right to support any candidate I wish because no one has the right to take this away from me. What your letter is really saying is that if I don’t support you I should keep my mouth shut. “Instead of fighting me who is but one man with no vote, you should be fighting for votes and support. “I have participated in elections for decades for myself and others. Some have been won. Some lost. Never, however, have I asked a friend for support than condemn for giving the very support I sought of them to another person. To do so is not to stand on principle but on bruised pride. “You complain of a purported meeting I had to discuss the coming primary in Ondo. Do you deny me and other APC members now the right to assembly and talk? Had you heard that the meeting had anointed you, I doubt you would have written the first word of the letter you sent to me. “But here I want to give you and others a clear assurance that you may rest more at ease. I will also do everything in my power to ensure the primaries are free and fair and that there will be no undue influence on the process.
“The candidate who can garner the most support and votes will win. Since its inception, the APC has run the cleanest and most transparent primaries in the history of this nation. The just concluded primary in Edo is further evidence of this. My dear friend I leave you free to run and win the primary. If you do, I shall congratulate you and support you in the general election. “However, you must respect my rights as well and leave me to my own conscience to support who I will support. And to show interest in whom I wish. “I also need to correct what appears to be a mistaken impression on your part about the 2015 election. Your letter seems to indicate that it was on your advice that I backed President Buhari. You assume too much credit and should be more guarded in your assertions. “As a veteran in the political arena, I do not make important decisions lightly. I make final political decisions and calculations on my own after deep reflections and consultation with many people from many perspectives. I can assure you dear friend that I trust my own political counsel more than yours and that I have numerous other advisors whose advice I weigh more than yours. “After all, had you so much influence over me in the presidential election, it would mean you surely should have greater influence over me when it comes to the primary in your state.”
Twenty-five aspirants are set to jostle for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the party’s primary election on Sunday, August 27. The 25 aspirants include Ajayi Borrofice, Olusegun Abraham, Olusola Oke, Rotimi Akeredolu, Tayo Alasoadura, Jumoke Anifowose, Gboye Oyewumi, Bode Ayorinde, Olabimtan Victor, Paul Akintelure and Jamiu Ekungba. Others are; Ademola Adegoroye, Akinwale Akingbade, Apata Awodeyi, Akinrinsola Odunayo, Derin Adesida, Tunji Abayomi, Bukola Adetula, Niyi Adegbonmire, Foluso Adeyemi, Ayo Akinyelure, Dele Alade, Akinola Olayinka, Tunji Light Ariyomi and Moyosola Niran Oladunni.
Segun Abraham
Reacting to an open letter by Tunji Abayomi, who is also a lawyer in Ondo, Tinubu said Abayomi would not have attacked him if he had endorsed his ambition.
The aspirant had described Tinubu as a “man who frustrates the democratic aspirations of Nigerians through his dictatorial tendencies”.
Tunji Abayomi
However, Tinubu denied the allegation, saying he has always been a democrat and would remain one.
Bola Tinubu has slammed reports that he is planning to impose a candidate on
APC ahead of the party’s August 27 primary election in Ondo.
He said: “You have been a friend and will continue to be. Thus, I can dispense with needless formality so that we can get to the crux of the issue. Your career is that of a lawyer and activist. I appreciate all that you have done in the pursuit of a more just and democratic Nigeria. However, your letter to me is an impetuous display unbecoming a man of your status and a man seeking the highest leadership position in his state. And as a lawyer you well know that one cannot seek equity without having done equity. “In writing the letter, you appear to have been bitten by a bug that often blinds the objectivity of a man. You have been bitten by an ambition that you fear you shall not be able to realize. “In your pursuit of office, you have sought my support and influence. When you sought that support, you thought it proper and democratic to do so. If I had signalled my support for you, I am sure that you would never have written this letter alleging that I was undermining the democratic will of the people. You would have been pleased with me, I suppose.
“You said I seek to deny your democratic right. It is you who seeks to grab mine. If not mistaken, I believe I am a member of the APC. I reserve the right to support any candidate I wish because no one has the right to take this away from me. What your letter is really saying is that if I don’t support you I should keep my mouth shut. “Instead of fighting me who is but one man with no vote, you should be fighting for votes and support. “I have participated in elections for decades for myself and others. Some have been won. Some lost. Never, however, have I asked a friend for support than condemn for giving the very support I sought of them to another person. To do so is not to stand on principle but on bruised pride. “You complain of a purported meeting I had to discuss the coming primary in Ondo. Do you deny me and other APC members now the right to assembly and talk? Had you heard that the meeting had anointed you, I doubt you would have written the first word of the letter you sent to me. “But here I want to give you and others a clear assurance that you may rest more at ease. I will also do everything in my power to ensure the primaries are free and fair and that there will be no undue influence on the process.
“The candidate who can garner the most support and votes will win. Since its inception, the APC has run the cleanest and most transparent primaries in the history of this nation. The just concluded primary in Edo is further evidence of this. My dear friend I leave you free to run and win the primary. If you do, I shall congratulate you and support you in the general election. “However, you must respect my rights as well and leave me to my own conscience to support who I will support. And to show interest in whom I wish. “I also need to correct what appears to be a mistaken impression on your part about the 2015 election. Your letter seems to indicate that it was on your advice that I backed President Buhari. You assume too much credit and should be more guarded in your assertions. “As a veteran in the political arena, I do not make important decisions lightly. I make final political decisions and calculations on my own after deep reflections and consultation with many people from many perspectives. I can assure you dear friend that I trust my own political counsel more than yours and that I have numerous other advisors whose advice I weigh more than yours. “After all, had you so much influence over me in the presidential election, it would mean you surely should have greater influence over me when it comes to the primary in your state.”
Twenty-five aspirants are set to jostle for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the party’s primary election on Sunday, August 27. The 25 aspirants include Ajayi Borrofice, Olusegun Abraham, Olusola Oke, Rotimi Akeredolu, Tayo Alasoadura, Jumoke Anifowose, Gboye Oyewumi, Bode Ayorinde, Olabimtan Victor, Paul Akintelure and Jamiu Ekungba. Others are; Ademola Adegoroye, Akinwale Akingbade, Apata Awodeyi, Akinrinsola Odunayo, Derin Adesida, Tunji Abayomi, Bukola Adetula, Niyi Adegbonmire, Foluso Adeyemi, Ayo Akinyelure, Dele Alade, Akinola Olayinka, Tunji Light Ariyomi and Moyosola Niran Oladunni.
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