Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

The alleged continued silence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), on the gale of defections rocking the party is causing disquiet in the presidency, especially among loyalists of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Some of the presidency sources, who spoke with Daily Independent on Thursday, said loyalists of President Buhari are unhappy that Tinubu, who was appointed by the president to head the party’s reconciliation team in February, has not uttered a word since the defections began a fortnight ago with the departure of 14 senators and 37 House of Representatives members to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmakers’ defection was followed by the exit of Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party.

Others who dumped APC include Alhaji Musa Ibeto, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to South Africa, as well as some members of the state Houses of Assembly in Kwara and Sokoto states.

Our source, an official in the presidency, who was the first to reveal to Daily Independent last week that President Buhari will be embarking on vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), said the president’s men believe Tinubu’s silence in the midst of the crisis “is an indication of tacit support for the renegades”.

According to him, “Buhari’s men are angry that Asiwaju Tinubu and his men such as Papa (Bisi Akande), Segun Osoba have not uttered a word in the midst of this national crisis. It is a national crisis because key stakeholders, including the number three man in the country, state governors, federal lawmakers and others are leaving the ruling party in droves.

“The National Assembly has been shut because of the selfish motives of some people till September while party primaries will begin later this month, according to INEC timetable. INEC is complaining that the shutdown of the National Assembly will affect its smooth operations because its request for fund is still pending yet Tinubu as the party’s national leader and head of the reconciliation team has not said anything.

“One of them told me it is unusual of Tinubu not to make comment when serious issues like these are happening. Recently, during the governorship primary in Ekiti, there were reports that Segun Oni has dragged Fayemi to court, Tinubu alongside Akande, Segun Osoba, Niyi Adebayo issued paid advertorials condemning Oni’s actions and pledged loyalty to Fayemi. If he and his lieutenants can bare their minds on Ekiti APC primary, why have they chosen to keep mute on these defections as if it is something insignificant”, he said.

Another source in the presidency alleged that there are reports Tinubu may have met with Saraki privately few days to the defection of the Senate President.

He, however, said those who got wind of the report are not sure of what was discussed. He said it may be a last minute intervention by Tinubu to persuade Saraki not to dump the party.

“There are even strong speculations that Tinubu privately met with Saraki few days to the defection of the Senate President. What was discussed at the meeting is not known. If Tinubu actually had the meeting with Saraki, maybe in a last minute attempt to persuade him not to leave APC, he should come out and let the world know. His silence over this very important issue in the party he laboured to build is totally uncalled for”, he said.

When Daily Independent contacted Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media aide, he promised to give our correspondent a comprehensive response after seeking clarifications from his principal.

Reacting on the defections, the PDP said more APC stalwarts including governors, National Assembly members and members of President Buhari’s cabinet are joining its fold.

Speaking with our correspondent, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said its doors are open to every Nigerian, including Tinubu.

“For us in the party, we are confident that more members of the APC are still on their way to PDP. More governors are still coming, senators and members of the House of Reps are coming; including serving ministers in President Buhari’s government will soon announce their defection to our party”, he said.

On the possibility of Tinubu joining PDP, he said, “Our party is open and we welcome every Nigerian that is desirous of a change in the clueless and incompetent government of President Buhari”.

Also speaking, Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, said maybe Tinubu as head of APC’s reconciliation committee is working behind the scene and may have chosen to remain silent so that his efforts will not be jeopardised.

“Maybe he is working underground. He may be working behind the scene and doesn’t want his efforts as the chairman of the reconciliation committee to be jeopardised”, Odumakin said.
https://independent.ng/defections-tinubus-silence-ruffles-buharis-camp/amp/

Oya, over to you Asiwaju of Lagos state. Buhari till 2023.

It's better he keep silent because anything he says now will cause more damages to APC !!

Maybe he's defecting too

Must everyone talk? There is no trust in the midst of gamblers. Always suspecting one another.

What does he have to say?

“One of them told me it is unusual of Tinubu not to make comment when serious issues like these are happening. Recently, during the governorship primary in Ekiti, there were reports that Segun Oni has dragged Fayemi to court, Tinubu alongside Akande, Segun Osoba, Niyi Adebayo issued paid advertorials condemning Oni’s actions and pledged loyalty to Fayemi.

This one pass Tinubu lol
Anyway it's not impossible for Tinubu to decamp or form a new alliance. Tinubu abandoned his own presidential candidate in 2011 and went with Jonathan.

I would be scared of a silent tinubu also, after sacking oyegun, even buhari's boys knows he still has influence on the party

Tinubu:***in Mourinho's voice*** I have nothing to say..

He has mouth odour, that's why.

My only problem with whoever that will win Buhari and emerge as Nigeria's president come 2019 is if that next president fails to probe and jail Buhari and his evil cohorts.

The next president that will take over from Buhari must be mean like Buhari. Our next president must not listen to any court or plea from anybody, he must probe Buhari and his family and friends. He must take back all Nigeria's money and commonwealth Buhari, his family, friends and allies stole or looted now while in power.

Any illegally acquired wealth, property, car, cow, cattle, farmland, etc must be taken back from Aisha Buhari, Yusuf, Mamman Daura, Abba Kyari, Lai Mohammed, Adams Oshiomhole, Onu, Chris Ngige, and many others.

All the current people ccupying the following positions currently must be probed and jailed without listening to any court order as soon Buhari leaves the presidency, and their names are:

1.) Head of DSS

2.) IGP

3.) EFCC Chairman

4.) Vice President

5.) COAS

6.) Minister of Information

7.) NNPC GMD

8.) Minister of Finance

Whoever that's going to emerge as next Nigeria's president can only make Nigerians proud and satisfied if he jails the aforementioned office holders now!

If not, he will face fire more than Buhari will

Tinubu has never been a true loyalist of PMB.

He is obviously nursing his own ambition.

Sai fafa

What a Party.

Tinubu despite his short comings is a very smart and rare politician. The only reason why he is still in the marriage is because he doesn’t want Buhari to come after him, he will strike at the right time. I am sure he’s regretting the the marriage, he has lost the party structure and his on the edge about to lose his fortress (Lagos state) to some big actors in APC.

BREAKING NEWS NUGGET- PDP IN CHARGE: AKPABIO, SIGN OF DEFEAT FOR A DROWNING PARTY:
We collected 14 senators, 1 senate President, 3 Governors, 32 house of reps members, 62 house of assembly members and 62 LGA chairmen from them, but we didn't make the kind of noise they are making for just God'swill Akpabio.
Sign of defeat.
Power to the people.
We are in charge.

Silence they say is the best answer for a fool...
Empty barrels they say do make the loudest noise...
Nowhere in history has "silence" ever been recorded....

Smart people can & will deduce meanings from these 3 statements.... & It is instructive that NO ONE DEFECTED FROM THE SOUTH WEST & THE 3 PEOPLE INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL LIST QUICKLY CRIED OUT THAT THEY HAD & WANTED NO PART OF IT OR THE ENSUING DRAMA...



P.S...These people are anxious for nothing, they should let things play out & follow their natural course ...

The frog eye is contemplating when to jump ship. If he does now,they will hunt him down with efcc

AroleOduduwa:
Tinubu despite his short comings is a very smart and rare politician. The only reason why he is still in the marriage is because he doesn’t want Buhari to come after him, he will strike at the right time. I am sure he’s regretting the the marriage, he has lost the party structure and his on the edge about to lose his fortress (Lagos state) to some big actors in APC.

PMB will be shocked in 2019. His major hurdle will be members of his party who are just pretending to tolerate him. Before his very eyes they are undermining him.

Laughable.

Why should he comment.

Biuhari got himself into this Wahala. Against Tinubu's wishes, he said he would work with anybody when Saraki became Senate President. Let him fix his problems himself na.

How can you be President & fail to recognise the importance of having your own choice as leaders of the Senate & house of rep?

Wats Tinubus business? Everybody knows saraki is one of the best senate presidents we've had in awhile. Senate and executive is for checks and balance not for govt romance and nonesense.

This is a trashy report. Crying foul where there's none.
What would his speech do in the midst of the defections? Would it stop saraki from defecting?

None of his loyalists has defected. PMB should be blamed for failing to hold his house together.

jagaban


anything can happen

Story not correct jare.

They should die instead

APC is a shithole of a party, so after tinubu help them in rigging the 2015 election and after that they relegated him, now they expect him to still fool around with the senseless people called APC ?? That's preposterous

Bleep politics

no

Story for the gods