Gboyega Akinsanmi

The vice presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Ibrahim Masari has withdrawn as the running mate of the presidential flagbearer, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Masari, former National Welfare Secretary of the APC, justified his decision on the ground that the presidential flagbearer will have latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position the ruling party to win the 2023 presidential election.

This decision was contained in a statement he personally issued today in Saudi Arabia where he is presently performing the Hajj.

Tinubu had submitted his forms, with the inclusion of a ‘place holder’ as running mate to enable him beat deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The decision of Tinubu and the APC was aimed at meeting the statutory requirement and beat the June 17 deadline by INEC for presidential candidates to submit names of their running mates to the commission.

In his statement, however, Masari announced his decision to withdraw as the party’s vice presidential candidate, disclosing that he had submitted his letter of withdrawal and affidavit to that effect to the presidential candidate.

He said: “This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flag-bearer of our great party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Recall that I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running-mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“But after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realised that my decision will enable Tinubu have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.

“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities. I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TInubu in the coming elections.

“On behalf of myself and family, I wish to sincerely thank Tinubu — the Incoming President, Insha Allah — for his trust in me and we promise to remain steadfast in our support for him and the party,” Masari revealed in a statement issued from Saudi Arabia.

Likewise, the Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation confirmed Masari’s withdrawal as the vice presidential candidate of the APC, saying Masari communicated his decision to it from Saudi Arabia where he is presently performing the Hajj.

In a statement by its Interim National Coordinator, Hon. James Faleke, the campaign organisation said Masari’s decision had been formally communicated to the presidential flagbearer and the national secretariat of the party.

While saluting Masari’s sacrifice, the campaign organisation said the decision would give Tinubu an opportunity “to take a decision that will further enhance the chances of our great party in the 2023 elections.”