…As APC Governors refused to go to Tinubu’s Asokoro residence
In what appeared a bold, significant and decisive move, governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the banner of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) on Monday rejected the invitation of the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s preference to host them in his Asokoro-Abuja residence.
The Governors instead asked Asiwaju Tinubu to go and make his pitch for their support at the Kebbi State Government Lodge in Asokoro.
Governor Bagudu Atiku Abubakar of Kebbi State is the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
A source at the meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with the APC governors and later with Asiwaju Tinubu said the State Chief Executives who are leaders of the ruling Party in their States were happy with the fact that the Vice President consider them worthy to be contacted first before openly declaring his intention unlike others that only thought fit after their declaration to take a cue from the number two political figure in the country.
The governors took critical note of the fact that Asiwaju Tinubu and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi later realized the need to meet with them only after VP Osinbajo, who publicly made his aspiration known on Monday took the initiative.
According to the source; “This is indicative of who is seen as the undisputed frontrunner and potentially the most popular of the aspirants”.
While the Vice President only declared on Monday, having met with the APC Governors on Sunday, other aspirants had declared previously without consulting the APC Governors or meeting with them as a group.
Another source at the meeting between Tinubu and the APC Governors which came a day after they met the VP in his residence was a knee-jerk reaction to the one the Governors had with the VP on Sunday.
It was not clear as at Monday evening if the APC Governors would even meet with other aspirants including Amaechi, the Ebonyi State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, who have also publicly shown interest in the Presidential race.
It was gathered that as soon as Tinubu got to know of the notice of meeting of the Governors with VP Osinbajo, he quickly instructed Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to do everything possible to mobilise his colleagues APC Governors to see if it was possible for him to also meet with them.
Further checks indicated that Governor Sanwoolu ran up and down to have the meeting to hold on Friday but met with unfavourable response.
The aborted attempt led to the holding of the meeting on Monday but on the condition that the APC Governors would only meet Asiwaju Tinubu if he agrees to meet with them at a venue set by the Governors, which was the Kebbi State Government Lodge.
