A force to reckon with in Nigerian politics, Tinubu played a remarkable role in the emergence of Olusegun Mimiko, outgoing governor of Ondo.
He is also known to have made major contributions towards the opposition party forming government at the center – the first time in Nigeria’s history.
Reacting to an open letter by Tunji Abayomi, a lawyer and an APC aspirant in Ondo, Tinubu said Abayomi would not have attacked him if he had endorsed his ambition.
The aspirant had described Tinubu as a “man who frustrates the democratic aspirations of Nigerians through his dictatorial tendencies”.
Tinubu denied the allegation, saying he has always been a democrat and would remain one.
“You have been a friend and will continue to be. Thus, I can dispense with needless formality so that we can get to the crux of the issue. Your career is that of a lawyer and activist. I appreciate all that you have done in the pursuit of a more just and democratic Nigeria. However, your letter to me is an impetuous display unbecoming a man of your status and a man seeking the highest leadership position in his state. And as a lawyer you well know that one cannot seek equity without having done equity,” Tinubu said in his own letter.
“In writing the letter, you appear to have been bitten by a bug that often blinds the objectivity of a man. You have been bitten by an ambition that you fear you shall not be able to realize. In your pursuit of office, you have sought my support and influence. When you sought that support, you thought it proper and democratic to do so. If I had signalled my support for you, I am sure that you would never have written this letter alleging that I was undermining the democratic will of the people. You would have been pleased with me, I suppose.
“You said I seek to deny your democratic right. It is you who seeks to grab mine. If not mistaken, I believe I am a member of the APC. I reserve the right to support any candidate I wish because no one has the right to take this away from me. What your letter is really saying is that if I don’t support you I should keep my mouth shut.”
Tinubu advised Abayomi to channel the energy being used to “fight” an individual to “fight for votes in the primary”.
He said if the aspirant ends up winning the ticket of the party, he would congratulate him and work for the progress of the party.
Tinubu also denied the allegation that Abayomi convinced him to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the election, saying if the aspirant has such influence, how come he is struggling to get his own attention in Ondo.
“Instead of fighting me who is but one man with no vote, you should be fighting for votes and support,” he said.
“I have participated in elections for decades for myself and others. Some have been won. Some lost. Never, however, have I asked a friend for support than condemn for giving the very support I sought of them to another person. To do so is not to stand on principle but on bruised pride.
“You complain of a purported meeting I had to discuss the coming primary in Ondo. Do you deny me and other APC members now the right to assembly and talk? Had you heard that the meeting had anointed you, I doubt you would have written the first word of the letter you sent to me.
“But here I want to give you and others a clear assurance that you may rest more at ease. I will also do everything in my power to ensure the primaries are free and fair and that there will be no undue influence on the process.
“The candidate who can garner the most support and votes will win. Since its inception, the APC has run the cleanest and most transparent primaries in the history of this nation. The just concluded primary in Edo is further evidence of this. My dear friend I leave you free to run and win the primary. If you do, I shall congratulate you and support you in the general election.
“However, you must respect my rights as well and leave me to my own conscience to support who I will support. And to show interest in whom I wish.
“I also need to correct what appears to be a mistaken impression on your part about the 2015 election. Your letter seems to indicate that it was on your advice that I backed President Buhari. You assume too much credit and should be more guarded in your assertions.
“As a veteran in the political arena, I do not make important decisions lightly. I make final political decisions and calculations on my own after deep reflections and consultation with many people from many perspectives. I can assure you dear friend that I trust my own political counsel more than yours and that I have numerous other advisors whose advice I weigh more than yours.
“After all, had you so much influence over me in the presidential election, it would mean you surely should have greater influence over me when it comes to the primary in your state.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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... Because you are God kwo? ..and whoever you support wins abi? You are mere mortal and one day you shall leave all these your foolish earthly glory to go and answer for your deeds and what you failed to do before God. Selfish wicked morally corrupt old sadist.
ReplyDeleteMr Azeez, read and understand Tinubu didn't say whoever he supports wins. He just said he has a right to support anyone of his choice as a human being. Just like you are supporting either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in America and it doesn't even concern u neither do u have a vote there (ie if you don't have a US passport).
DeleteAzeez, grow up. Build your own competence , in life make your own marks. Tinubu has done well for himself in this light., he actually have the right to support whoever he desires, he can't support everyone. You too and we all will stand before God to account for our deeds not this man alone, if he had supported this guy, there won't be an issue on this letter. He supported someone else for speakership and the candidate failed yet heavens did not fall because the current speaker played his politics with his party in mind, on senate, it was a different ball game because the senate president just did not respect his party. Tinubu cannot win all the time. Tell the Abayomi guy to up his game in his state after all it's a contest among men who signified interest., no need blackmailing others please.
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ReplyDeleteAzeez knows what is saying, stop quoting him wrong for at the long run Tinubu candidate will be elected, na to day yash dey back? let's stop beating about the bush? he supported Buhari and now Nigeria is in a state of dilemma? so Azeez is right, As for me Tinubu cannot be trusted due to the fact that some years back he did something terrible to my ex-company where he swarp his own company over to our own company, his company ABC i.e Alpa Beta now generate revenue for the State and some other States and he eventually rendered some chartered accountants' jobless and that is where he got his money from that is using to sponsor elections and trouble for APC all over, but I know for sure nothing is forever in life for time will tell, take it or you leave it ok! As I speak I'm a living witness of what Tinubu did to my for company that is why I don't want to hear anything pertaining to APC at all, they are evil, they are Wolf in sheep clothing and God Almighty will surely judge for after death judgement, we must surely give account on how we live life here on earth, he may acqired all the wealth of this world but when the time come our maker will say get behind me I know you not! vanity upon vanity all is vanity!!!
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