Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja
The National Leader of the All
Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has berated a governorship
aspirant in Ondo State, Mr. Tunji Abayomi, for the open letter Abayomi
addressed to him last week.
Tinubu also said his support for the
election of President Muhammadu Buhari before and after the 2015 polls
was his personal decision.
Tinubu said, in a statement by his media
office on Sunday, that as a member of the APC, he had the right to
support any governorship aspirant.
Abayomi had, in a letter titled, ‘The
tonic of democracy is the right of the people to choose their leaders’,
accused Tinubu of attempting to impose a candidate on the other
aspirants in the state.
The letter came amid allegations that the APC national leader had asked all the aspirants to step down for Mr. Segun Abraham.
However, Tinubu said Abayomi erred by making spurious allegations.
He said, “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 have a right and duty to support the
candidate who I believe will best represent the party.
“What your letter is really saying is
that if I don’t support you I should keep my mouth shut. 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 assemble 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.”
The APC leader said rather than accuse
him of being a dictator in the party, Abayomi should concentrate on
seeking the support of party members in Ondo State.
Tinubu said he had no vote and wondered why Abayomi would be focusing on him.
He said, “I am a democrat. I am ready
for the chips to fall where they may after and open and fair primary in
Ondo. Instead of welcoming this, it appears you are afraid of it.
Instead of fighting me who is but one man with no vote, you should be
fighting for votes and support. Your letter to me was woefully misplaced
and inappropriate. Still, I wish you the best and may democracy and the
people’s will prevail above all else.”
Tinubu added that should Abayomi win the governorship primary, he would congratulate him in the spirit of democracy.
He said, “I reserve the right to support
any candidate I wish because no one has the right to take this away
from me. However, 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.”
Tinubu denied allegations that it was Abayomi that convinced him to support President Muhammadu Buhari during the last election.
He advised Abayomi not to think too highly of himself.
The APC leader said, “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.”
Comments