The acclaimed national leader of the All Progressive Congress party, ( APC), Ahmed Tinubu has declined comment on President Buhari’s 2019 ambitions.
The meeting came immediately after President Muhammadu Buhari had met separately with the National Chairman of the party, Odigie Oyegun and the leadership of the National Assembly represented by Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
Tinubu came in just as Oyegun and the NASS leadership were leaving the Presidential Villa.
But speaking with State House Correspondents after the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, on Monday, Tinubu who stated that he has confidence in the leadership of Buhari and the current administration, however refused to say a word on the 2019 presidential election.
When asked his opinion on the current move by different groups who are calling for the President to run in 2019, he simply replied that such should not be discussed with him
“Don’t discuss that one with me”
Read Also: Party chieftain blames imposition of candidates for most internal conflicts in APC
” I just met with the President. Our discussion was fruitful, productive and it was about the country and leadership as a whole. And that got him excited and happy.”
Asked about his alleged displeasure about the direction of government since the last election, Tinubu described reports of his unhappiness as “Fake news” adding that “I have confidence in this President there is no doubt about that”
According to him; ” We worked hard to bring about the government, there are certain things that are unpredictable and those are things that can lean itself to gossips, insinuations and all of that. But once you create leadership and is functioning you don’t have to babysit that leadership unless there is a loss of confidence and I don’t have that”
Tinubu continue “You know me. I’m not known to shy away from talking my mind and rebelling if it is necessary and taking charge of things that I believe are necessary”
“What is the myth in this leadership thing? What is cable? It is a myth. We are the party of the people for the people and by the people and this is democratic environment.
“Each of us have our roles to play and that is why we are playing it. I don’t believe in the myth, I believe in confidence building, the trust that we have in the president. In the journey of democracy you are going to have twists and turns, you are going to have conflicts. Conflicts resolution mechanisms is inbuilt on how you handle your party and the governance and the party are joined by the hips.”
On allegations that there is panic ahead of the party’s NEC meeting coming up tomorrow, Tuesday and efforts to mend fences ahead of the meeting, Tinubu denied the rifts
“Did I tell you that? Why do you want to know are you a member of our party? ”
Tinubu also assured that the party is on course, adding however, that it is not easy to ” face the kind of challenges Buhari’s government faced.
“Can you go back to the history of 16 years of the PDP? APC government is on course and will remain on course and we will remain focused to those necessary things about development, welfare and progress of our people. Is not easy to face the challenges and the well that was dug, sinkhole that we inherited. But we are sorting that one out gradually so few steps we will find happiness and development in the future of our country”
Tony Ailemen
