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The All Progressives Congress has given reasons for the exclusion of Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in the list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.
Recall that with the release of the nominees on the presidential campaign council list that excluded Yemi Osinbajo had generated reactions from the populace.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo contested the APC presidential primary with Bola Tinubu, the party flagbearer at the 2023 general elections.
A statement issued by Festus Keyamo, Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council and Minister of State, Labour and Employment, on Saturday said President Muhammadu Buhari being the Chairman of the campaign council specifically directed that the Vice-President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council to concentrate on the governance of the country and administration of Government.
The statement read: ‘’Our attention has been drawn to some stories making the rounds that there may be something amiss within the family of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the name of our own revered and respected Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, is not included in the list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.’’
‘’Nothing can be farther from the facts. For the avoidance of doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari , GCFR, is the Chairman of the Campaign Council. As a result, Mr. President has SPECIFICALLY directed that the Vice-President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council to concentrate on the governance of the country and administration of Government. As a responsible Party and Government, all the key functionaries of government cannot abandon their positions for electioneering campaigns. The APC has the mandate of the Nigerian people to administer the country on their behalf at least till May, 29, 2023, and this we intend to do with all sense of responsibility.’’
‘’We will not toe the path of those who governed the country in an irresponsible manner before us and our Party is not in total disarray like those who wish to ‘rescue’ the country, but cannot simply manage their own internal affairs.’’