2023: Cabals in APC gang up against me before presidential primary – Tinubu reveals

Ilesanmi AdekanbiJune 20, 2022

2 minutes read

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has claimed that some cabals in the party have gang-up against him during the party’s primary.

The former Lagos governor disclosed that his victory at the party’s special convention and presidential primary did not come easy, noting that he fought a hard battle to clinch the ticket.

According to him, there was a gang-up against his person before the party’s presidential primary.

Tinubu stated this on Sunday, after he returned to Lagos State for the first time after he won the party’s ticket, flooring the likes of Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, amongst others.

At the palace of Oba of Lagos, Alayeluwa Rilwan Akiolu, Tinubu said: “No Lagos indigene has had the opportunity to become President of Nigeria despite the contribution of the State to the national stability and progress.

“The highest position attained by any Lagosian in national leadership is the position of Chief Judge of the Federation.

“I took up the fight to break this jinx.

“The battle to secure the APC ticket was hard. When I was almost fed up, I resorted to prayers.

“I also poured out my mind when I felt there was a gang up against my person. Thank God that I have brought home the presidential ticket.”

On his part, Akiolu, who described Tinubu as his “stubborn son”, said it was time for political leaders in the Southwest region to close ranks and work for the victory of Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

He added that the massive support received by the APC National Leader across the country must be complemented by politicians in the region.

The monarch said: “Your emergence as the presidential candidate of your party is the beginning of another journey in your political career. All Yoruba ancestors shall be with you on this journey to make our fatherland a better place.”

The former Lagos governor was welcomed by an excited crowd from the airport and he was seen waving at ecstatic supporters who hailed him.

The supporters who were waving brooms, which is an APC symbol, were chanting “Emilokan” as they followed his entourage.

Newsflash Nigeria reports that during the APC special convention and presidential primary, Tinubu scored 1,271 votes to defeat his closest contenders, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, two weeks ago.

Amaechi obtained 316 votes while Osinbajo polled 235.

He contested against 13 other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.