The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has opened up on the conduct of the party’s primary election in Ondo State, recalling how he stayed away from the primary which was won by the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Tinubu said many aspirants sought to meet him prior to the primary but deliberately made himself “unavailable.”
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He stated this in speech delivered at the commissioning of Ondo State Revenue House in Akure.
Prior to the primary, speculations had been rife over who the APC leader was supporting with insinuation that Tinubu was not disposed to the re-election of Akeredolu.
But those close to him then said Tinubu as the leader of the party had vowed to support any candidate who emerges in the primary.
Opening up on the Ondo primaries which later produced Akeredolu who is seeking re-election for second term, Tinubu however expressed delight that the party has come out of the primaries stronger and more united.
He said, “For us as progressives, tribalism and sectionalism are not part of our working vocabulary. Those are the words of yesterday. We all must work together and forge ahead as one if we are to attain the country’s overall development goals.
“It is against this context, that my actions regarding Ondo must be weighed. The governor had showed that he wanted genuine reconciliation among party members in the state.
“As part of this trust-building process, the governor was asked to extend a hand of fellowship to those who felt aggrieved and to embrace all the leaders within the state chapter of the party so that our progressive front would again be solid and strong.
“Here, I must offer a confession. When some of our members sought to reach me before the primaries to raise questions regarding Governor Akeredolu, I made myself unavailable. I did not do this to hurt or insult anyone. Here I ask that none of you be offended. I did this because I know the depth of character and the high quality of the leaders of this state’s chapter. You are all my brothers in whom I repose greater confidence.
“Thus, I knew that you all would work all important things out among yourselves. And, with but a little nudging and encouragement from me and others, you would reach the point where reconciliation would begin. True to my high estimation of your principles and political astuteness, you all began to reach out to each other and work together toward a common and good cause – the continuance of progressive governance in Ondo under the banner of the APC.”
Tinubu commended the governorship aspirants who came out to endorse the Governor. They included Olusola Oke, IsaacKekemeke, Segun Abraham, Ifeoluwa Oyedele, OlubukolaAdetula, Jimi Odimayo, Olaide Owolabi Adelami,Olusola Iji, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose and Nat Adojutelegan.
The National Leader lauded the governor whom he said has been recording milestones since assuming office.
Tinubu said key part of Akeredolu’s plans “is the prudent and progressive agricultural empowerment programme,” saying, in transiting from an economy not entirely dependent on oil, agriculture is the way to go.
“Focusing on agriculture in a bid to free our economy from an undue dependence on oil is the path we must take.The programme expresses the governor’s confidence in the people.
“Governor Akeredolu is to be commended for leading the state along this intelligent path. As such, you should repose even greater confidence in him. There is no doubt that Ondo State will be better for it at the end of the day. He has also embarked on important social welfare programmes, Tinubu said.
