FILE PHOTO: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (left) and Alhaji Tanko Yakasai (right) during a meeting in Abuja
The Presidency on Wednesday berated Kano-based elder statesman and human rights activist, Tanko Yakasai, for “questioning the loyalty” of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on his support for the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
This was as it said Yakasai’s recent comments about Buhari not throwing his weight behind the APC flag bearer conflicted withthe President’s recent appearances in party campaign rallies.
Therefore, it said the President’s “support for the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is unquestioned.”
Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled, ‘On Alhaji Tanko Yakasai’s questioning of the President’s support of APC at the forthcoming election.’
In a recent interview on Control TV, the elder statesmen expressed doubt over Buhari’s support for the presidential candidate of the APC.
Yakasai said, “What I realise is that I’m not sure if Buhari is happy with the candidature of Tinubu. That is the issue.
“He is the APC because he is the President elected on the platform of the APC but is he committed to Tinubu’s presidency? I have my doubt.”
Asked which candidate Buhari is supporting, Yakassai said, “I don’t know but I have not seen the commitment from him supporting the candidature of Tinubu in the APC.
“I’m not sure if it’s APC or not but definitely, the personality of Tinubu doesn’t make him happy from my assessment of the situation.”
But the Presidency disagrees with Yakasai.
In the statement, Shehu said, “Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is unknown to the All Progressives Congress. Everyone is entitled to their view, but what we do know is that his insight in a recent interview does not come from within the party or the President’s team.
“His support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is welcome although it is difficult to see what value it will add.
“He is right to highlight his experience as a senior citizen, a leader in government and ability to reach out across divides are strong foundations for the highest office.
“But Yakasai’s questioning of the loyalty of President Muhammadu Buhari stands in sharp contrast to the actions of the President. Only on Monday, he was out at a rally in Bauchi supporting the flag bearer of the party.
“Presidential duties permitting, he is scheduled to make further appearances at campaign events in the coming weeks.
”His support for the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is unquestioned.”
The Presidency advised Nigerians not to take Yakassai’s comments seriously, saying, “Perhaps, times are hard and the old man needs a bit of help.
“If this wasn’t on TV, Yakasai’s unwise comment on the issue would have been dismissed as a misquotation. But he was live on TV.
“On this one against President Buhari, no one should take him seriously,” Shehu said.
