Former Governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande said that the South West is united and resolved to produce the next president in 2023 general polls.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Leaders of the South West region have began searching for the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) amongst its aspirants in what appears to be a counter move against the plan of Aso Rock.
A cabal in Aso Rock is reportedly crowding the race for the APC presidential ticket in what observers say is a game that could see the majority of the aspirants stepping down for the cabal’s preferred choice, which is not likely to be any of the candidates in the South West.
The meeting of the South West leaders and aspirants in Lagos was aimed at countering the Aso Villa cabal. Pioneer Interim National Chairman of the APC, and former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande has said that the South West is united and resolved to produce the next president in 2023 general polls.
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According to Akande, who declined questions from the media, “The South West is united for the presidency to come to south west in the next general polls.”
Akande, who made this known at the end of a crucial “APC Presidential cacus meeting” of the South West, held at Lagos House, Marina, explained that the stakeholders had a fruitful, mutual deliberation.
The meeting which was held behind closed doors, lasted for over two hours.
He stated: “We are united as we will ensure that the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will come to South-West in 2023.
“We had a fruitful, mutual discussion Thank You.”
Those in attendance included: The National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Others were: Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, who is the host, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu,
Governor of Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Dr. Iyiola Omisore.
The only obvious personalties absent among the Presidential aspirants from the South West at the meeting, on the platform of APC, were Pastor, Tunde Bakare and former Speaker House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.
Armed policemen were on ground to provide adequate security as guests were being thoroughly frisked before allowing entry into the state house.
It was gathered that the Vice President had earlier sent in an advanced security personnel to have clean sweep of the State House Marina on the concern.of safety at the place.
Aregbesola, who arrived in Osinbajo’s convoy at about 6.45pm, was the first person to storm out of the meeting.
Tinubu, after the a stormy meeting, also stayed back to have a light dinner with some caucus members of his campaign team.