Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council has said there is no “cause for concern” following the exclusion of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and secretary to the government of the federation Boss Mustapha from the campaign council.
The APC released a 422-man list for the council comprising the party’s heavyweights on Friday night.
The absence of Osinbajo’s name and that of Mustapha drew concerns that the duo may be unsupportive of the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Responding to the concerns, spokesman of the council, Festus Keyamo, who is also the minister of state for labour and employment, said in a statement on Saturday that President Muhammadu Buhari asked that the duo should not be included.
The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to some stories making the rounds that there may be something amiss within the family of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the name of our own revered and respected Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, is not included in the list of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.
“Nothing can be farther from the facts. For the avoidance of doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari , GCFR, is the Chairman of the Campaign Council. As a result, Mr. President has SPECIFICALLY directed that the Vice-President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha should be left out of the Campaign Council to concentrate on the governance of the country and administration of Government.
“As a responsible Party and Government, all the key functionaries of government cannot abandon their positions for electioneering campaigns. The APC has the mandate of the Nigerian people to administer the country on their behalf at least till May, 29, 2023, and this we intend to do with all sense of responsibility.
“Our candidates and the leadership of the APC have also indicated that the list is not sacrosanct as there may be periodic review of it as circumstances dictate.
“We will not toe the path of those who governed the country in an irresponsible manner before us and our Party is not in total disarray like those who wish to ‘rescue’ the country, but cannot simply manage their own internal affairs.”
