All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday reiterated his confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also denied any rift between him and the President.
The former Lagos State Governor spoke with reporters at the State House in Abuja after a meeting with President Buhari.
The meeting was a prelude to the party’s National Caucus meeting last night. Tinubu is a member of the Caucus.
Today, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet.
Tinubu said the APC government “is on course”, adding that there are a few steps left to attain happiness and Nigeria’s development.
He said: “I just met with the President. Our discussion was fruitful, productive and it was about the country and leadership. And that got him excited and happy.”
On the alleged crack in his relationship with the President and being sidelined by “a cabal”, Tinubu said: “Fake news. I have confidence in this President. There is no doubt about that. We worked hard to bring about the government. There are certain things that are unpredictable and those are things that can lend themselves to gossips, insinuations and all of that.
”But once you create leadership and it is functioning, you don’t have to babysit that leadership, unless there is a loss of confidence and I don’t have that.
”You know me. I’m not known to shy away from talking my mind and rebelling if it is necessary and taking charge of things that I believe are necessary. What is the myth in this leadership thing? What is cabal? It’s a myth. We are the party of the people for the people and by the people and this is a democratic environment.
”Each of us has our roles to play and that is why we are playing it. I don’t believe in the myth, I believe in confidence-building, the trust that we have in the President. In the journey of democracy you are going to have twists and turns, you are going to have conflicts.
”Conflict resolution mechanism is inbuilt on how you handle your party and the governance and the party are joined by the hips.” he said
Asked whether he was at the Villa to mend fences ahead of the NEC meeting, he said: “Did I tell you that? Why do you want to know? Are you a member of our party?”
On whether the APC was still on course, Tinubu said: “Can you go back to the history of 16 years of the PDP? APC government is on course and will remain on course and we will remain focused to those necessary things about development, welfare and progress of our people.
“It is not easy to face the challenges and the well that was dug, sinkhole that we inherited. But we are sorting that one out gradually, so, few steps we will find happiness and development in the future of our country.
Asked to speak on the different groups calling on the President to run, Tinubu said: “Don’t discuss that one with me.”
TN
