By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Director-General, Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, Mr. Realwan Okpanachi, has asked Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to step down his presidential ambition for former Lamps State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he said was the best for the All Progressives Congress(APC).
Okpanachi, in a statement on Friday, urged Bello to shelve his planned declaration on April 2, 2022, as same was unnecessary and ill-advised.
He said his advise was premised on the fact that the party has zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country.
The Director-General advised Bello to use the remaining time left of his second term to provide good governance, which he claimed has been eluding the people of Kogi State.
“Bello and other aspirants should not be seen or heard fighting for APC ticket with Asiwaju who in ideal situation, should be given right of first refusal regarding the party’s ticket and/or appreciated with the party’s ticket for his huge sacrifices leading to the success of the party in 2015 and 2019 elections.
“Asiwaju Tinubu is the only sure-bet candidate of APC because of his vision, sagacity, experience, capacity and cosmopolitan personality. Every right-thinking member of the party appreciates the obvious fact that, in 2015 and 2019, Asiwaju gave his all for the success of the party. As a matter of fact, Asiwaju emptied himself and sacrificed everything as a founding father of the party.
“Hence, it will be an absurdity for Bello, who was a political toddler during the formation of APC to be seen contesting APC presidential ticket with Tinubu,” Okpanachi said.
