I am Neither For, Nor Against Akeredolu In Ondo Gov Poll – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – The Source Magazine

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

An influential Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,  has said that his interest in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state is basically to ensure that the APC wins the poll.

In an online statement in Akure on Wednesday, the former Lagos State two- time governor declared that he has not endorsed any aspirant for the Governorship election.

According to him, he is not going  to use his influence to tamper with the  outcome of the primary, scheduled to hold on July 20, insisting that he had no preferred aspirant.

The statement titled “Re: Ondo Guber Poll May Lead to Crisis in South-West APC,” Tinubu made it clear that he is not opposed to the re-election bid of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

He pointed out that all he desires is a free, fair and credible primary that is run according to the dictates of internal democracy and devoid of bias for, or against any candidate.

“In the matter of Ondo governorship race, Asiwaju Tinubu has stated his impartiality. As a leader of the party, he has no favoured or disfavoured candidate in the race. Neither is he trying to influence matters behind the scene in any regard.

“His hope is that all credible and strong party members who seek the nomination will be able to face each other in a fair contest. Let them compete for the party’s banner openly and without imbalance or slant in the contest”.

During Governor Akeredolu’s first shot at the Governorship, he was fully backed by Tinubu. But, he was defeated by Dr Olusegun Mimiko. In his second attempt, Tinubu backed another candidate, Segun Abraham. Suffering was, allegedly, backed by Minister for Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN,  and Ekiti State Governor,  Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Akeredolu not only won the Primary, but won the election, defeating others.

He is seeking a tough re-election for a second term in office.