2023: Tinubu wants to work with Wike not Amaechi - APC Source

An insider in Tinubu presidential campaign council said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu would prefer to work with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike rather than his Rotimi Amaechi ahead of the presidential elections in 2023.

"Tinubu was more interested in bringing Governor Nyesom Wike to his side than Amaechi. Amaechi is one person who does not believe in Tinubu and feels betrayed by the outcome of the primary. Amaechi said something a few weeks after the primary and what he said didn’t sink well with Tinubu’s camp," the source is quoted on Daily Post.

The source also noted that the former Lagos helmsman has not yet forgiven all those who contested with him during the presidential primary, especially Amaechi and Osinbajo.

According to him, Tinubu had made it clear that it is his turn to be president after Buhari thereby doing everything to make sure the APC won both the 2015 and 2019 general elections. But the APC stalwart was left disappointed that Osinbajo did not step down alongside about 8 other aspirants that stepped down for him on that night.

The source further said that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo sees Tinubu's emergence as backwardness. He said although the VP knows that his former boss has ideas that could better the country, his age and frail health would be a major drag-back for Nigeria and thus would never pretend to be supporting him.

The source speaks

“When the Northern Governors agreed that it was Tinubu’s turn after weeks of intense politicking, he didn’t expect any of the aspirants to contest with him in the primary, that’s the truth. But Osinbajo and Amaechi dragged on and since then, the relationship has not been the same. He’s not the one who included Amaechi in his campaign team. Tinubu was more interested in bringing Governor Nyesom Wike to his side than Amaechi. Amaechi is one person who does not believe in Tinubu and feels betrayed by the outcome of the primary. Amaechi said something a few weeks after the primary and what he said didn’t sink well with Tinubu’s camp. Anybody expecting the former minister to work for Tinubu’s victory is wasting their time. It’s almost like Wike and Atiku only that Amaechi does not talk or behave like the Governor. Also note that it’s not a coincidence that Osinbajo is not named in the presidential campaign council. In fact, he should be one of the persons spear-heading the campaign.

“Before I end, let me say this, when someone says he’s fine, can’t Nigerians just respect that? It’s his health for Christ sake and no one knows better about your health than you. No doubt in my heart that our presidential candidate will win the 2023 presidential election for our great party with or without the support of these people. He has the structures on ground but the truth is it would be easier for us with their support.”

However, while addressing a group in Kano that worked for Osinbajo’s presidential bid, Tinubu insisted he does not have anything against Osinbajo, saying, “I have nothing against him. I’ve been to his house after the primaries.

“I saw him on the day of the goodwill message [at] the retreat organised by the president. If you cannot give forgiveness, how are you asking from Allah? To me, it is over.”

NBA