By ‘Dotun Akintomide
The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu Wednesday averred that President Muhammadu Buhari like other contenders in the party must pass through the rigours of primary election before emerging as the party’s torch-bearer in the 2019 presidential poll.
Reacting to the endorsement of President Buhari by some APC governors, Tinubu declared that “no governor can appropriate the power of endorsement to themselves” adding that an individual opinions “does not matter at this stage.”
Tinubu was in Akure on a private visit to the the leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio- Political Group, Afenifere Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
Accompanied to the state by APC chieftain, Chief Bisi Akande; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and the South West National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Tinubu’s visit to the leader of Afenifere was seen by many as having political undertone in a bid to court the mainstream Yoruba Group ahead of the 2019 general election.
After the closed door meeting, Tinubu told newsmen that the governors who had earlier endorsed the President did it on their own.
According to him “I have not heard about the endorsement and the party spokesman has not said that.
“No governor can appropriate the power of endorsement to themselves.
”Buhari is a believer in process, the Buhari I know believes in the rule of law.
“We wanted him even before the last convention and primaries of the party and Akeredolu is here standing with me, he was not the governor then.
“He was one of the leading delegates that voted properly and Buhari was a clear winner,” he said.
