Buhari: Tinubu didn't work against APC in Ondo poll

Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has said there was no truth in reports suggesting that he and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC are at loggerheads with a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying that Tinubu never worked against the interest of the party in the just concluded Ondo governorship election.

Buhari said the reports going round about a rift between the party and Tinubu were unfounded and mischievous.

A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the President was highly embarrassed by such reports as he was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the recent Ondo State governorship election.

The statement clarified that any suggestions that the President and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility.

The statement stated that the President was impressed by Tinubu’s assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and that he honoured his words, adding that Buhari regarded Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party are known to all.

The statement advised rumour mongers to stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the President is proud of the Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party and the movement.

“President Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected Governor. The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC. He appealed to APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm party unity,” the statement said.