•Tinubu
•‘No rift with ex-governor’
President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed rumours that he and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership are at odds with party stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
He described such rumours as unfounded and mischievous.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the President was highly embarrassed by such “suggestions”.
Buhari, he said, was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the Ondo governorship election.
He said suggestions that the President and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility, adding that the President was impressed by Tinubu’s assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his word.
He also explained that President Buhari regards Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party are known to all.
Shehu advised rumour mongers to stop sowing seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the President is proud of the Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party and the movement.
He said: “President Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected governor.
“The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC.”
He urged APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm the party’s unity.
