The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has opposed media reports on Saturday saying he didn’t hold any meeting with the five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in London.
The ex-Lagos State governor, therefore, warned those writing unsubstantiated articles and peddling rumours on him to desist forthwith.
However, Tinubu further said that he was entitled to meeting any political actor or stakeholder that is important to his campaign and plans for the country and that desires to engage with him.
The G-5 forum led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has been at loggerheads with the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Other members of the G-5 are: Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue).
The group, also known as Integrity Group, insisted that they would not support Atiku unless the party’s Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu is removed.
But Tinubu in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman said the media report about the purported meeting as reports was to say the least, in bad faith but also evil intentioned.
He noted that he was resolutely focused on his campaign objectives which are geared towards achieving victory in the upcoming presidential election in order to deliver the APC’s Action Plan aimed at giving a Renewed Hope to our people in all facets of their lives.
The APC Presidential candidate stated categorically that he was neither bothered by these articles nor by their sponsors who are well known.
Tinubu said the truth with respect to his present itinerary was that he came to London on Boxing Day, Monday December 26, 2022 to spend a few days preparatory to his trip to Saudi Arabia.
He explained that after spending some time in London, he has now proceeded to Mecca where he is at present observing Umrah.
His words: “As usual with him when a year is coming to an end to take time off his busy schedules, take a little rest and proceed to Saudi Arabia to observe Umrah(Lesser Hajj), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in London during the week en route Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
“While in the United Kingdom, Asiwaju Tinubu noted some articles in some national newspapers in Nigeria, alleging a secret meeting was held in London between him and the G-5 governors who are members of Peoples Democratic Party.
“These reports, to say the least, are not only in bad faith but also evil intentioned. They were published to advance the political interests of the writers and their sponsors.”
He added: “But we must point out that the APC candidate is entitled to meeting any political actor or stakeholder that is important to his campaign and plans for the country and that desires to engage with him.”
The former Lagos State governor said he was scheduled to return to the country within the next two days to continue with the campaign.
