2023: We Didn’t Endorse Tinubu – Ex-Speakers

Former Speakers of the Ekiti and Ondo States House of Assembly, on Sunday, denied the claim that they are supporting the presidency plan of the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

Recall that some serving and former speakers in the South-West last week met in Ibadan, Oyo State to show their support for the presidential ambition of the former Governor of Lagos State.

The meeting was headed by the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa and Titi Oseni, Coordinator of ex-Speakers in South-West.

However, the former speakers noted that there was no endorsement of the National leader of the APC and no statement was released about endorsing Tinubu.

Five ex-Ondo Speakers: Victor Olabimtan, Oluwasegun Bolarinwa, Ayo Agbomuserin, Abdusalam Olawale Taofeeq, Kenneth Olawale, and Patrick Ajigbolamu (Ekiti) released a statement on Sunday.

They noted that Obasa was at the meeting to solicit the support of the ex-speakers, as automatic national delegates, “for the aspiration of his mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”.

The former speakers noted that when the issue was mentioned, they stated that they would wait for the directive of their governors.

According to the former lawmaker heads, their state Governors, Kayode Fayemi and Rotimi Akeredolu would be in the best position to speak for their states.

They added that the told all participant in the meeting that all candidates from the zone, including Tinubu, have the right to contest in 2023.

“The ex-speaker from Ekiti State also informed the gathering that his Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi is equally interested in the presidency and eminently qualified. As much as the issue of national politics is concerned, we are of the opinion that every eligible aspirant deserves equal right and opportunity.”

“As a member of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, we are not against the aspiration of any member of the party from the Southwest Region. Every State in the Southwest, be it Lagos, Ondo, or Ekiti is qualified to produce a candidate and whoever that the leadership of the Party supports, we will support”.

The former Speakers noted that Governors are the leaders of the party in their states and they will never go against the interest of their Governors.

They added that if the former Governor of Lagos State is interested in running for the 2023 Presidency and the Governor of Ekiti is interested too, both are qualified to run.

“None of them has openly declared interest or intention to do so. Therefore, the issue of drumming support for any particular “aspirant” as being circulated is out of place and we are not a party to that”.

The signees dissociated themselves from “such endorsement when the purported gladiator has not informed the Conference of his interest to run” in the 2023 presidential election.”

At the meeting, Obasa said there was a need for the body of Speakers and former Speakers “to project political and humanitarian sides of Tinubu ahead of 2023″.

“He has made a lot of people and brought up a lot of leaders politically. Some of us agreed that outside politics, there should be something that is more humanitarian.”

“When you have a benefactor who is well known for his benevolence, it is a duty that you must act on his behalf in a way you feel you can compensate such a man for what he is still doing.”

“So, we are here to interact in respect of what you all believe is around the corner and that is the 2023 ticket to galvanise support in the South-West”, he added.

Obasa also disclosed plans to replicate the movement in all zones of the federation.