Buhari prefers due process, not automatic ticket in 2019, says Bola Tinubu

National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the party was not contemplating issuing an automatic ticket for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 Presidential election. He said the party would rather follow the rule and regulations guiding its constitution in choosing the candidate ahead of the general elections.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during a private visit to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the foremost National leader of the Pan Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He was accompanied on the visit by Chief Bisi Akande, the erstwhile Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC national leader was received by the Ondo State governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi at the tarmac of the Akure local Airport.

According to Tinubu the opinion of an individual will not hold water in choosing the party’s flag bearer ahead of the 2019 general elections He stressed that the ruling party was yet to issue automatic ticket to anyone ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

The APC National leader was reacting to words credited to the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, who said “there is no other alternative to President Buhari in 2019”. Governor Okorocha spoke while addressing leaders of the Democratic Youths Congress for Buhari 2019 who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday.

According to Tinubu, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC can unanimously decides to have a consensus candidate. “No governor can appropriate the power of endorsement to himself, because President Muhammadu Buhari himself believes in due process and rule of law.

“President Buhari that I know will want a normal process, and who says that he will lose at any of the party’s convention. “But, if the National body (NEC) and all of us as members endorsed him as our single candidate, we will not be violating any rules and regulations of the INEC.”

The APC National leader explained that if President Buhari’s ambition is to seek a second term in office, it will not affect any other aspirants seeking to fly the party’s flag and ticket ahead of 2019. “We would follow all the constitutional provision and an individual opinion does not matter at this stage.

“So, what you are hearing is a campaign, the President (Buhari) has not excluded nor affected the ambition of anybody. “Don’t forget that we wanted him (Buhari) before the last convention and primaries of the party. “Rotimi Akeredolu is here standing with me, he was not the governor then.

He (Akeredolu) was one of the leading delegates that voted properly and Muhammadu Buhari was a clear winner,” he said. Tinubu later described Pa Fasoranti as one of the great leaders who has made his track record and contributed to the Yoruba race. He noted that he decided to pay a visit as a mark of respect and to seek some advice and prayers from the Afenifere foremost national leader.

“His (Fasoranti) intellectual is still very intact, and I am here to seek his advise and understanding with prayers,” he said. Reacting, Pa Fasoranti said the visit of Tinubu has shown that the leaders of the Yoruba race can now work together. He explained that in the past the leaders were working in different directions, adding that it is high time the region has a clear policy.

“This is a right direction, I think we can now move forward and work together by charting a new course and have a clear cut policy in our groups. “Ahead of the 2019, we have not formed any political party yet to fight a common cause, but I am optimistic that before then there shall be clear understanding.” Among those in attendance during the private visit were the foremost Afenifere leaders, Chief Olu Falae, Sehinde Arogbofa, Chief Femi Aluko among others.

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure.