Tinubu & His Allies Storm Out of APC Leaders Meeting
– APC South-West leaders reconciliation meeting reportedly ends on an icy note
– Sources claim that former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and some close allies walked out after the first round of the two-stage meeting
– However, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the leaders after the meeting said it was a success
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West, on Thursday, January 12, met in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, for about five hours, where it was resolved that there will be total harmony in the region from now onward. This was disclosed by a two-time former governor of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the leaders after the meeting.
According to Osoba, the meeting was held to discuss several issues affecting the political situation in the South-West, The Punch reports.
He said: “All the members that we invited are here except the Deputy Speaker, who is presently out of the country. We met principally to discuss all the things that may be affecting South-west, and we have come out with a resolution to show that in the APC South-West of APC, there is unity of purpose, the leadership is one, and we have resolved all the issues that may be affecting the governance of this country and what should be the role and the influence that we should exercise as a group in the interest of this country and for the progress of this country.
“We have examined what the government that we are all involved in is bringing, and we have resolved all the issues, and all those that will be taken to Abuja will be taken to Abuja by those concerned. We have related with our legislative members, leaders at the party level and we have related with all our governors, and I can assure you from now onward, there will be total harmony and consultation among our governors for the progress of South West Nigeria.
“Southwest is the leader of the progressives in this country, and we are determined to reassert our influence in the progressive politics of this country for the betterment of Nigeria.” However, the meeting, which was hosted by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, ended on an icy note after former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some close allies walked out after the first round of the two-stage meeting, Vanguard reports.
It was gathered that when the first round of meeting ended at about 5.05 pm, Tinubu wore a very strong look while ex-governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, who was also in attendant, could be seen smiling all through.
Vanguard sources claimed that when Tinubu posed with others for a photograph, he had to be persuaded to soften his appearance for the photographs. He reportedly feigned a dry smile and immediately after, assumed a tough appearance as he made his way for his vehicle.
Fayemi on the other hand was seen holding Amosun’s hand. While still holding the hand of Amosun, the former Ekiti governor reportedly sang one of King Sunny Ade’s tunes, saying: “Ko le se kija ma wa o, bi ija ba de o, se lo ye ka pari e, ko le se ki ija ma wa o – which means “misunderstanding is unavoidable, when it occurs, we ought to settle it.” However, Governor Amosun cautioned Fayemi to stop the song. Sources also claim that all the persuasive moves by Ajimobi for Tinubu to stay a little for the second meeting were rejected as he immediately drove away in a Range Rover Sports Utility Van.
Governor Ambode, Gov. Aregbesola and Gov. Amosun subsequently left after the first meeting. Meanwhile, the second meeting which involved all the ministers, including Fayemi, Shittu, Adeosun, Ajimobi and Isaac Adewole was chaired by Chief Akande and ended at about 5.30pm. The only high profile office holder absent was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lasun Yusuf who reportedly was out of the country.
Naij
