Rotimi Ameachi: I Could Have Defeated Tinubu If I Had Lobbied APC Delegates.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he could have defeated President Bola Tinubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary of 2022 if he had lobbied party delegates ahead of the contest.
Amaechi said his decision to rely on former President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to endorse him as the party’s presidential candidate cost him the opportunity to secure victory.
Speaking during a recent interview, the former Rivers State governor said Buhari had specifically told him not to campaign, assuring him that he would announce him as his preferred candidate.
He said Buhari also put the promise in writing, adding that he would make the document public when he publishes hisbook. Amaechi explained that he obeyed Buhari because he was his boss and believed the endorsement would strengthen his chances of becoming the party’s presidential candidate. He admitted, however, that he failed to lobby delegates and influential party members, unlike Tinubu, who engaged political stakeholders ahead of the primary. According to him, he could have secured the support of governors, the Vice-President and other party leaders if he hadparticipated in the political consultations.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Arise News.