Tinubu’s Visit To Obasanjo Was Not To Gain Endorsement – Keyamo

The Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign (PCC), Festus Keyamo (SAN), says the party’s flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, did not visit former President Obasanjo to seek his endorsement.

Recall that the former Governor of Lagos State visited Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta in August 2022 despite their political difference and ideology.

During an appearance on Arise Television on Wednesday, Keyamo said the visit of the APC presidential candidate to Obasanjo was a mark of respect, and to inform him of his presidential bid.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment stated that the visit was not to gain the endorsement of the former Nigerian leader but to show him respect and honour.

He said: “Presidential candidates thus visit past presidents who are considered as elder statesmen, as a mark of respect when you want to run for President. It is just a mark of respect when you visit them.

“People even visit IBB and of course, Hiltop has become like a Mecca. They visit Abudlsalam, they visit Jonathan, of course, you know. And that same itinerary takes them to people like Obasanjo. It is not that people go to seek their endorsement to win elections. So I want you to put it in a proper context really.

“In 2015, he (Obasanjo) was already disruptive of PDP and its activities. It’s like we (APC) consciously sought his endorsement. We visited him as a mark of respect, and it was not that he came out to endorse Muhammadu Buhari and campaign for him like the way he did with Atiku and the way he is doing for Peter Obi now.

“He had his problems with his puppet he put in government then, which was Jonathan. Jonathan was handpicked by him and he felt he was not doing his bidding. He was already disruptive of the activities of the PDP then.

“I’m sure my Big brother, Reuben Abati of course had his hands full then because he was the spokesman to Jonathan at that time. So, it was not that we consciously sought his endorsement, it was just a mark of respect to visit former presidents these days.”

This development comes after Obasanjo, in a New Year message to Nigerians, endorsed the Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Peter Obi, for the 2023 presidency, citing a track record of ability and performance.

The former president also said age and physical and mental disposition favour Obi more than other frontline candidates.