National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday said that Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has done well in office, but has not been a good party man.
Speaking with journalists at Ward C, Ikeja Local Government Area, after voting in the Lagos APC governorship primary, Tinubu said it was the wish of the party to withdraw support for the governor who wished to go for a second term.
He stressed that the decision to abandon Ambode for Babajide Sanwo-Olu was beyond him, adding that he was only doing the wishes of the party, which had entrusted him with its leadership.
Asked why he withdrew his support for Ambode, Tinubu said, “Who did I support in 2014? Ambode. Life is dynamic. It’s those who made me the leader of the structure in Lagos who said it was what they want. It’s only if you have followers that you’re a leader in democracy.
“If I look back and I don’t find them again; if I don’t respond to them, if I fail to accede to their request, I would have failed the leadership test.
“This is not personal; it is beyond me as a person. Every democratic constitution is preceded by ‘We, the people’. So, I had to submit myself to the wishes and the yearnings of our party.
“This is an elixir for the general election. Ambode Akin, he’s doing well, yes; he hasn’t been a good party man; not only the glamour, not only about brick and mortal. A talent is determined by character. For you to become an influential person, you have to respond to the yearnings of the people. This is politics; democracy, one man, one vote.”
