The Guardian (Nigeria)

El- Rufai never said Tinubu unfit to rule, says North West APC

- From Abdulganiy­u Alabi, Kaduna

PCampaign Council ( PCC) of the All Progressiv­es Congress ( APC) in North West has dismissed reports that Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el- Rufai, said the party’s presidenti­al candidate, Bola Tinubu, is too old and unfit to rule the country.

In a statement, yesterday, the spokespers­on for the PCC, Muhammad Molash, said the party’s unity had remained a headache to mischief- makers from the opposition; hence, they weave distorted informatio­n to destabilis­e the ruling party before the general elections.

According to Molash, the social media space has recently been brimming with a video of the Kaduna governor, ostensibly, making reference to Tinubu.

His words: “But to set the records straight, the said interview was conducted months ago, where El- Rufai was asked variety of questions, ranging from the rumoured vice presidenti­al bid to a purported ministeria­l ambition and senatorial bid.

“El- Rufai responded intelligen­tly ( in the video clip) by reminding the reporters that having been a minister 20 years ago and governor since 2015, he is contented with what the Almighty has done for him.

“He added that as a mentor, who has raised capable mentees, he ought to give way for the younger generation in the next government, even as Tinubu insists on being part of the incoming government. That was the part they have been mischievou­sly circulatin­g with a different subject to suit their sinister agenda.”

At KADINVEST 7.0 in Kaduna, Tinubu had vowed not to leave the podium until he got El- Rufai’s commitment to work with him. Molash added: “Apparently, the APC presidenti­al campaign flag- off in Jos, which President Muhammadu Buhari, the 22 APC governors, APC chieftains and millions of party supporters attended, has rattled them. Hence, their incessant attempt to create a rift between our presidenti­al candidate and one of his frontline political commanders in the North West.”

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