22nd November, 2017
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday said there will be no automatic ticket for President Muhammadu Buhari to vie for the presidency under the banner of the APC in 2019.
The former governor of Lagos spoke in Akure, Ondo State when he visited the leader of the Pan Yoruba socio- cultural group, Afenifere, Pa. Reuben Fasonranti.
Tinubu stated emphatically that anyone who must represent the party must be selected through a transparent primary election.
Tinubu, who spoke with newsmen after the closed door meeting with Fasonranti said the party would not breach its law to grant Buhari automatic ticket.
He also lashed out at some governors who had already endorsed Buhari for 2019, saying that they lacked the power to do so which went contrary to the APC ‘s constitution.
“No governor can appropriate the power of endorsement to themselves. President Mohammadu Buhari is a believer in the democratic process, the Buhari I know believes in rule of law,” he said.
Tinubu added that “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 and Buhari was a clear winner. We follow all the constitutional provision and an individual opinion does not matter at this stage, Buhari will want a normal process, Buhari that I know.”
However, Tinubu said he was in Akure to pay homage to Fasoranti, saying that Fasoranti is a respected Yoruba leader who deserved much respect, care and support, especially in his present age.
Speaking Fasoranti said Tinubu’s visit was an indication of great things to come for the Yoruba race, adding that the coming together of Yoruba leaders would bring more understanding on major issues affecting the race.