The Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the party’s respected leader, and that he is waiting for his blessing. Akeredolu spoke with reporters last weekend after he was announced winner of the primary. The former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) said he respects Tinubu as the party’s leader and he is always waiting for his blessing on whoever emerges as the APC candidate.
In his words, Akeredolu said: “I never said so. If you read that interview, you will never see where I used such word. Tinubu is the leader of the party and I have respect for him. He was here in Ondo State during the last governorship election and which I contested as the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He spent his money and his time and I am sure this time around, he will also be here to support me. I always believe that he is somebody that I am waiting to see his blessing on who will emerge from free and fair primary and God has endorsed me.”
On the transparency of the primary, Akeredolu said, “We have witnessed the most transparent, free and fair primary poll. We have been talking about you and your electoral committee. I mean all of us – the aspirants – particularly your approach to us sir. It is been wonderful. You are respectful and you gave us the opportunity to be part of this primary. You are accommodating and you listen to us and there was no any time you try to force. We are 24, who contested in this exercise. They are great men and a woman, and who are eminently qualified to be governor of this state.
“I want to appreciate all the aspirants for the wonderful relationship we had throughout the campaign. We are looking forward for all of us to work together. I have said it over and over that when politics is on competition for position, it will raise a lot of dust. It is normal but when the dust is settled, we must work as one family and I know all the aspirants are going to work together as one family so that we can win during the poll. We don’t need to give any signal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the incumbent governor. He knows that we have come and on undoubtedly, we will produce the next governor. APC will be united for this campaign, we are going to carry everybody along.”
