Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
has said that he did not endorse any of the aspirants to become the next
governor of Lagos State. There have been speculations in the media that
the former governor of the state had endorsed the former accountant
general of the state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
He had a meeting with all the 14 governorship aspirants in the party
which held on Sunday night, Asiwaju Tinubu revealed that he has not
endorsed any of the aspirants and that a level-playing field would be
created for all the aspirants.
According to Leadership Newspaper Tinubu reportedly mentioned this while responding to an accusation by Mr Tunde Disu, one of the aspirants at the meeting. Disu raised concerns with Tinubu who, in his opening remarks at the meeting, had pleaded for unity among the aspirants, explaining that the party is faced with the growing threat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
He noted that on account of this threat, aspirants should work together for the advancement of the party. A source at the meeting informed that as soon as Asiwaju Tinubu concluded his opening remarks, Disu asked to be recognized and made it clear that all the aspirants made themselves available at the meeting as a sign of respect for the national leader.
Disu argued that but for the respect they have for the National Leader they would all have stayed away from the meeting in consideration of the fact that the National Leader had already anointed one of the aspirants as his preferred choice for the governorship ticket,” the source said. But Tinubu was quick to clear himself of the accusation.
“Asiwaju Tinubu declared that he has not anointed anybody and that he considered all aspirants as equal before him. He also assured the aspirants of a level playing field at the gubernatorial primary election of the Party,” our source added.
In response to Asiwaju’s denial, some other aspirants demanded that Asiwaju should make a public statement to deny his endorsement but Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly who had also declared an interest in the governorship ticket saved Asiwaju the embarrassment of a public statement to deny his backing any of the aspirants.
On that note, it was agreed that none of the aspirant should use the name of the former Lagos State Governor to campaign again,” the source explained.
Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, noted that the rumour about Asiwaju Tinubu endorsing one of the aspirants actually originated from one of the aspirants gathered at the meeting. The aspirant has been confusing Party members with his campaign which hinged on the fact the aspirant is being supported by Asiwaju Tinubu.
According to Leadership Newspaper Tinubu reportedly mentioned this while responding to an accusation by Mr Tunde Disu, one of the aspirants at the meeting. Disu raised concerns with Tinubu who, in his opening remarks at the meeting, had pleaded for unity among the aspirants, explaining that the party is faced with the growing threat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
He noted that on account of this threat, aspirants should work together for the advancement of the party. A source at the meeting informed that as soon as Asiwaju Tinubu concluded his opening remarks, Disu asked to be recognized and made it clear that all the aspirants made themselves available at the meeting as a sign of respect for the national leader.
Disu argued that but for the respect they have for the National Leader they would all have stayed away from the meeting in consideration of the fact that the National Leader had already anointed one of the aspirants as his preferred choice for the governorship ticket,” the source said. But Tinubu was quick to clear himself of the accusation.
“Asiwaju Tinubu declared that he has not anointed anybody and that he considered all aspirants as equal before him. He also assured the aspirants of a level playing field at the gubernatorial primary election of the Party,” our source added.
In response to Asiwaju’s denial, some other aspirants demanded that Asiwaju should make a public statement to deny his endorsement but Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly who had also declared an interest in the governorship ticket saved Asiwaju the embarrassment of a public statement to deny his backing any of the aspirants.
On that note, it was agreed that none of the aspirant should use the name of the former Lagos State Governor to campaign again,” the source explained.
Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, noted that the rumour about Asiwaju Tinubu endorsing one of the aspirants actually originated from one of the aspirants gathered at the meeting. The aspirant has been confusing Party members with his campaign which hinged on the fact the aspirant is being supported by Asiwaju Tinubu.