Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Hon. Lassun Yussuff has said he cannot boast of victory for his party in the September 22 governorship election in the state.
He explained that the essence of the media briefing was to specifically meet with his gubernatorial campaign team after losing the primary election of July 19 to Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, and thank them for a job well done irrespective of the credibility and outcome of the exercise.
Yussuff admitted that he has not congratulated the APC candidate, saying that the party and Osun government did not congratulate him either when he emerged as the Deputy Speaker.
He debunked the allegation that he conspired to work against the party decision during the June 2015 leadership election at the National Assembly, adding that what was described as party position was just personal wish of some people.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Hon. Lassun Yussuff has said he cannot boast of victory for his party in the September 22 governorship election in the state.
He opined that desperate move by some individuals to subvert due process has seriously alienated many “local politicians” in APC which has resulted to mass defections and thereby polarised the party in the state.
Yussuff, who spoke at a press conference in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Saturday, however reiterated his resolve to stay back in the party and work for its success.
He explained that the essence of the media briefing was to specifically meet with his gubernatorial campaign team after losing the primary election of July 19 to Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, and thank them for a job well done irrespective of the credibility and outcome of the exercise.
Yussuff admitted that he has not congratulated the APC candidate, saying that the party and Osun government did not congratulate him either when he emerged as the Deputy Speaker.
He debunked the allegation that he conspired to work against the party decision during the June 2015 leadership election at the National Assembly, adding that what was described as party position was just personal wish of some people.
He said, “I am here today to tell Nigerians that in any contest, winners must emerge irrespective of the credibility of the process, and also clear the air on insinuations that may be I have jumped the ship after the primaries.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that I am still in APC with my supporters, we are here to support the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
“It is however instructive for the party to know that many people have been alienated from the party in the state by some individuals who claim larger than life influence, which has led to defections of local politicians from APC.
As far as I am concerned, I have no place to go, and I believe if members could put all that happened during the primaries behind them and work in unison for the party, things could be better.
” Although, I cannot guarantee victory for the party because I have not conducted any poll to support that”, he said.
Yussuff added that the party has not approached him for reconciliation after the primary election, which some aspirants have condemned as not transparent and credible.
