The Director General of the Tinubu Support Group, Dr. Umar Tanko Yakasai, has dismissed claims that the composition of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council was driven by political patronage.
Speaking during an interview, Yakasai said the individuals listed were members of the APC and had contributed to the success of the party’s presidential campaign in 2023.
He said there was therefore no basis for describing the list as a product of patronage.
“Everybody that made that list is a member of the APC, and so when you put up names as members of the presidential campaign council, and all of them are APC members, I do not see where the question of patronage has come in, because even if you replace those 100%, you will eliminate people who are members of the APC.”
The APC chieftain, however, acknowledged that the list was subject to review and expansion, saying those who were omitted could still be included.
“However, just as has been rightly observed, which is a trend in our party, anytime a list is out, for the congress of the party, for the prime minister of the party, for the presidential primaries, every time a list is out, people, it’s a first list, and the list is subject to update, to review, to expansion, and as you know, even if people were omitted by obligation or commission, there’s an opportunity to update and add people.”
Yakasi said the people already on the list deserved their inclusion because of their contributions to the party’s previous presidential campaign.
“I believe that everybody deserve it. Everybody there participated and contributed to the success of the presidential election in 2023, and they are now also part of this presidential campaign council. Those who did not make the list will be added.”
He maintained that the ongoing review of the list further demonstrated that its composition should not be interpreted as being based purely on patronage.
“Of course, there’s a review going on, so I do not think that it’s purely based on patronage.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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