We Didn’t Ignore Names Submitted by Governors, Says APC Campaign Council

•Insists Nnamani’s inclusion not a mistake

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council (PCC) has assured APC governors  that it has not jettisoned the names  submitted by them.

The clarification became imperative following reports that Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of the governors elected on APC platform, were ready to sabotage the party and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for disregarding their nominations to the presidential campaign council.

But a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga , said the list of members of the campaign council released at the weekend was  a partial list.

He said: “The Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress hereby clarifies that the list of members of the campaign council released at the weekend, is a partial list.

“It contains only  the directors, deputy directors, secretaries of directorates and key stakeholders. 

“The council also assures our esteemed governors  that the secretariat  of the council has not jettisoned the names  submitted by them.”

The council stressed that some of the nominees of the governors have emerged as part of the leadership, while others would soon emerge as members of the various directorates. 

The statement quoted the Secretary of PCC, Hon. James Faleke to have said that , “no name is left out of the lists.”

The council also stated categorically that the inclusion of the name of former Governor of Enugu state, and a Senator representing Enugu South in the Senate, Chimaroke Nnamani, was not a mistake.

It added: “The PCC will also want to clarify that the appearance of the name of HE Chimaroke Nnamani, a distinguished senator from Enugu State, was not a mistake.

“He is on the list in his own right as a supporter of our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Distinguished Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who is still away in the United States,  is a very close  friend of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The council stressed that he might  not be on the field with them  as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate, but his presence was indicative that he might have chosen to give  ‘moral support’  to his old-time friend and brother.

It said: “In any case, the PCC cannot dictate the extent of Senator Nnamani’s support for his friend and brother. That is part of his fundamental human right which supersedes any provision in a Party Constitution. His position and allegiance to his party is self-defining and does not need any qualification by us. 

“Any explanation as to his status should be coming from the other party and not from us who are very proud to be associated with him.”