Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has declared that the alleged tactical withdrawal of support by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and leaders of thought in the North for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), is a signal that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost the battle.
He said Buhari’s loss of support had deflated the ego of the opposition party and to that extent conceded defeat few days to the March 28 presidential election.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, in Ado- Ekiti, Fayose noted that the sudden U-turn made by the northern leaders was based on the realization that Buhari’s candidacy may shortchange the North.
According to the governor, Atiku and his supporters are already retracing their steps back to the PDP, having realized the deceit of the South-west APC leaders in pushing forward Buhari even against his interest.
Fayose maintained that the health condition of Gen Buhari had become worrisome to the northern leaders who were wearied of the experience of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, noting that “APC was forced to cancel presidential rallies in Kaduna and Enugu because Buhari was not yet physically and mentally fit to go for any rally.”
The governor said Buhari was compelled to come back home from his London hospital due to pressure mounted on him by some leaders of his party who wanted to douse the growing apprehension by Nigerians over his state of health.
His words: “We thank the APC for conceding defeat in the coming elections. At least, they, for the first time, appear realistic. Buhari’s insistence that he must be allowed to attend to his health is commendable.”
“It is glaring that he needs to rest and not waste energy on a failed project. The man has been abandoned by those who claim to be his backers and Buhari’s people have told him the bitter truth that they would prefer to wait for another four years than to get trapped by some selfish South-west leaders for eight years.”
