By ‘Dotun Akintomide
National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has taunted former Nigerian leaders, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida over their continuous participation in active politics asking them to keep off and instead enrol in the retirees club.
Tinubu while reacting to viral comments made by the two elder statesmen on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration said: “I don’t address those shadows. We should let our former presidents join retirees’ club and take pensions but they can participate in our politics if they are interested.
“It is a free world but this freedom is not served a la-carte but they should allow us to move our country forward. It is a challenge to every Nigerian.’’
Speaking with journalists in Abuja after he met Buhari alongside Chief Bisi Akande to condole with the president over the loss of his two relations, Tinubu said APC is determined to prosecute 2019 general elections in a most transparent and democratic manner.
He also expressed his commitment towards ensuring electoral victory for all APC candidates in the election.
He commended Buhari for appointing him to lead the consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts toward improving cohesion within the APC.
“I belong to this party. My commitment is to this party. We have a better chance and we are strongly determined to prosecute election in a most transparent and democratic manner and we will win.
“Well, l feel greatly honoured with the mutual confidence that the president has reposed in me which is a very strong political challenge.
“We have started in earnest. He has given me free hand to put cohesion, confidence and trust in the party.
“Democracy is about conflict resolution process. You can’t do it without resolving conflicts. We can’t build it without understanding the conflicts and sources where we are coming from.
“But we want to leave the country with a legacy. It’s not about Mr. President. That is what he’s telling the country,’’ he said.
