Tanko Yakasai, an old man who needs help – Presidency
The presidency has criticized a former statesman, Tanko Yakasai, for questioning President Muhammadu Buhari's commitment to All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu.
In a statement by Garba Shehu, the president's senior special assistant for media and publicity, released on Wednesday, the presidency said Mr. Yakasai was unknown to the party.
Mr. Shehu said the frontline politician's support for Mr Tinubu was worthless.
“Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is unknown to All Progressives Congress, APC. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but what we do know is that his views in a recent interview are not from inside of the party or the president's team. His support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is welcome even if it is difficult to see what value he will bring.
“He is right to point to his experience as a senior citizen, leader in government and his ability to cross divides as solid foundations for the highest office,” he said.
Mr. Shehu said Mr. Yakasai's comment on the president's loyalty contrasts with reality.
He said that Mr. Yakasai was wrong and no one should take him seriously.
"But Yakasai's questioning of President Muhammadu Buhari's loyalty stands in stark contrast to the President's actions. It was only on Monday that he attended a rally in Bauchi to support the party's flag bearer. Presidential duties permitting, he is expected to make further appearances at campaign events in the coming weeks.
"His support for party candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is undisputed. If it weren't for television, Yakasai's reckless comment on the matter would have been dismissed as a misquote. On this one against President Buhari, no one should take him seriously.
"Maybe times are tough and the old man needs a little help," Mr. Shehu added.
PastMr. Yakasai reportedly said he felt Mr Buhari did not support Mr Tinubu's candidacy.
Mr. Yakasai, who was a former commissioner and former presidential aide, made the statement during an interview with Control TV on Monday.
He expressed doubts about the president's commitment and said Mr. Tinubu's personality did not make the president happy.
"What I realize is that I don't know if Buhari is happy with Tinubu's candidacy. That's the problem. He's (in) APC because he's the president-elect on the platform of the APC but is he attached to the presidency of Tinubu? I have a doubt.
"I don't know but I haven't seen the commitment on his part to support Tinubu's candidacy for APC. I don't know if it's APC or not, but Tinubu's personality doesn't make it certainly not happy based on my assessment of the situation,” he said.
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The presidency has criticized a former statesman, Tanko Yakasai, for questioning President Muhammadu Buhari's commitment to All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu.
In a statement by Garba Shehu, the president's senior special assistant for media and publicity, released on Wednesday, the presidency said Mr. Yakasai was unknown to the party.
Mr. Shehu said the frontline politician's support for Mr Tinubu was worthless.
“Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is unknown to All Progressives Congress, APC. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but what we do know is that his views in a recent interview are not from inside of the party or the president's team. His support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is welcome even if it is difficult to see what value he will bring.
“He is right to point to his experience as a senior citizen, leader in government and his ability to cross divides as solid foundations for the highest office,” he said.
Mr. Shehu said Mr. Yakasai's comment on the president's loyalty contrasts with reality.
He said that Mr. Yakasai was wrong and no one should take him seriously.
"But Yakasai's questioning of President Muhammadu Buhari's loyalty stands in stark contrast to the President's actions. It was only on Monday that he attended a rally in Bauchi to support the party's flag bearer. Presidential duties permitting, he is expected to make further appearances at campaign events in the coming weeks.
"His support for party candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is undisputed. If it weren't for television, Yakasai's reckless comment on the matter would have been dismissed as a misquote. On this one against President Buhari, no one should take him seriously.
"Maybe times are tough and the old man needs a little help," Mr. Shehu added.
PastMr. Yakasai reportedly said he felt Mr Buhari did not support Mr Tinubu's candidacy.
Mr. Yakasai, who was a former commissioner and former presidential aide, made the statement during an interview with Control TV on Monday.
He expressed doubts about the president's commitment and said Mr. Tinubu's personality did not make the president happy.
"What I realize is that I don't know if Buhari is happy with Tinubu's candidacy. That's the problem. He's (in) APC because he's the president-elect on the platform of the APC but is he attached to the presidency of Tinubu? I have a doubt.
"I don't know but I haven't seen the commitment on his part to support Tinubu's candidacy for APC. I don't know if it's APC or not, but Tinubu's personality doesn't make it certainly not happy based on my assessment of the situation,” he said.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government.
For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour.
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