Following Thursday’s move by the Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili to withdraw from the 2019 presidential race in order to “focus on helping to build a Coalition for a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the 2019 general elections,” the party has disagreed with the decision of the former World Bank Vice President, saying it will now support the re-election bid of incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a media briefing held hours after her announcement, National Chairman of the party and running mate to the former Education minister, Gani Galadima said Ezekwesili did not show seriousness in her campaign, accusing her of planning to use the ACPN platform to negotiate to be finance minister.
“The reason for calling this press conference is to let the world know about the presidential aspiration of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, which in actual fact, is not the truth. I have been put into confidence by one of her aide named Iyinoluwa Aboyeji that she only wanted to use the platform of the ACPN to negotiate to be Nigeria’s finance minister,” he said.
“No campaign secretariat, billboard or great commitment on ground to indicate any seriousness. It is on this ground that the ACPN is withdrawing support for her presidential aspiration and endorsing the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari to take Nigeria to the next level.”
As reported by online medium, Today, Galadima asked her to return to the party all the donations “from all over the world” because the party would have to account to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that the party may take her to court.
“We may take her to court. She was just using us to play,” he added.
In a swift reaction however, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has dismissed the allegations against him and the former World Bank Vice President, describing it as false and lacking logical or grammatical sense.
In a series of tweet via his handle on Thursday, the former Managing Director of Flutterwave, said the allegations by the ACPN and its leadership has proven the former Minister of Education right as it relates to her disinterest in politics.
Let me be clear about what is already obvious. The allegations are not only false but they dont make logical or grammatical sense.
— Samuel Aboyeji Jr. (@iaboyeji) January 24, 2019
“Let me be clear about what is already obvious. The allegations are not only false but they dont make logical or grammatical sense. Madam Oby a 2× minister and Former VP of the world bank who has turned down every an offer to be Minister from almost every government since her last tenure will not be running for President just to be Minister. Anyone who knows her well knows she HATES politics. We know why now.”
“What the party and it’s paid agents here on Twitter are doing to her reputation and mine is the reason why the country needs rescue but it will take men and women of integrity and courage and not cowards for hire to do so.
I’m not hungry. I can’t be bought. I can’t be cowed. And I make no apologies for taking a stand for my country. Thanks and God bless.,” he added.
Temidayo Taiwo-Sidiq is a Journalist, Political Analyst and Satirist with major interest in Nigerian Politics, Governance and Sports.
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