By Modupe Gbadeyanka
**Says; I’m More Qualified than Tinubu
Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State have been advised by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, to vote for their conscience and not be swayed by sentiments.
The Minister, who is on a tour of the country to seek support for his intention to become the next president of Nigeria in 2023, told his party members in the state he is the best candidate to pick the party’s ticket.
On Thursday, the Minister held a meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who bluntly told him that Lagos APC has a candidate and he is the former governor of the state, Mr Bola Tinubu, who also wants to rule the country and wants the party’s authorisation.
But Mr Amaechi informed Governor Sanwo-Olu that APC must present a sellable candidate in the 2023 presidential elections and he is one because of his energy and public service records.
“I am the bridge between the old and the young. I understand the language of young people and if we consider the reality of our current security situation, I’m the only one with experience in handling difficult security situations having served as a governor at a time when kidnapping and violent crime were high in Rivers,” he said.
However, he disclosed that, “It is a difficult thing to contest with our leader (Mr Tinubu). He is our leader and l know it is really a difficult decision that you (Mr Sanwo-Olu) have to take. He is eminently qualified to contest but I’m more qualified than him.”
“l come with experience of having served as speaker, l come with experience of having served as governor, l come with experience of having served as minister. I was chairman of governors and l also served as director-general in the presidential campaign to deliver victory for our party APC.
“I have tremendous respect for our leader but we have to make the hard choice. I always say there is no second position in this contest, the party must make a winning choice. It is a hard decision but it is a decision that is doable,” Mr Amaechi stated.
“I have listened [to you] very well, Mr Sanwo-Olu responded, informing his guest that “I’m a direct beneficiary of our leader, Asiwaju. For those of us in Lagos, he is our rallying point, we will continue to do the best for the country.”
Adedapo Adesanya