SAN FRANCISCO, November 19, (THEWILL) – Despite one of APC national leaders, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s open condemnation of the All Progressives Congress’ governorship primary in Ondo State, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday declared that he is pleased with the September 3, 2016 primary.
Recall that Tinubu had called for the resignation of the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, for allegedly working with anti-democratic forces within the party to scuttle the will of party members in Ondo State.
Disclosing that “In early September, the state primary was held. A purported winner was named,” Tinubu accused Oyegun of unilaterally overriding the majority vote of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party, which voted to uphold the cancellation of the party’s governorship primary in Ondo State by the appeal committee.
But speaking at the Democracy Park, Akure, during the APC grand campaign rally, Buhari said, “I am pleased with the September 3 APC primary election that presented Rotimi Akeredolu as our party’s candidate.
“We are here to show our support for Akeredolu and I am proud of APC and Akeredolu and God willing, he is going to be the winner of the forthcoming election.
“Talk to your colleagues, friends and family that there is no turning back,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of APC, Odigie-Oyegun said that the presence of the entire family of APC was highly significant.
The state chairman of APC, Isaac Kekemeke expressed optimism that APC would take over the state and join the the mainstream politics of the centre.
Kekemeke, who described the APC and President Buhari as responsible, said that the APC was united, strong and set to deliver, come November 26.
The APC South West National Vice Chairman, Dr Oluwole Akinyelure said that the state had yet to benefit from the present administration of PDP in the state despite oil producing benefits.
He then called on the people to vote for Akeredolu for a real change.
On his part, Governor Simeon Lalong of Plateau state said that the president was taking people from captivity to prosperity, saying that Akeredolu was a known man of integrity.
For the chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, the President’s visit was a sign of change, adding that a vote for the APC would be a liberation of the people from political bondage.
While appreciating his supporters, Akeredolu noted that the state could be in no other party than the APC, adding that the state must join the mainstream politics to derive its benefits from the government at the centre.
He, however, called on the party supporters to mobilise and organise for vigorous campaign for the party in ensuring its victory in the coming election. “After leaving this ground, go to your units, wards and do the needful,” he said.
Dignitaries at the rally include: Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Edo governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Others are the Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi and eight sitting governors.
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