The Chief Spokesman of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Festus Keyamo, in a recent interview addressed a major question on the minds of Nigerian voters regarding the APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
State of play
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dodged live interviews (including the NBA conference) since he secured the presidential ticket of Nigeria’s ruling party. This has raised questions amongst Nigeria’s voting populace, as opposition parties claim the presidential candidate is unhealthy, incapacitated, and ineloquent to handle a live interview.
- To worsen the situation, several videos have appeared online of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu being led by hand, stuttering and more, solidifying the claims of the opposition parties.
What they are saying
Mr. Festus Keyamo, in an interview with Vanguard newspaper, debunked the claims by rival parties stating that campaigns were yet to begin. He said, “the nation will hear from him again and again and again.”
Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, deputy director, public affairs of the campaign council, who was in the company of Festus Keyamo added that the former governor of Lagos state was in fact imploying live interviews as a campaign strategy.
Along with Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Dr Mohammed Bulama (director multimedia of the campaign council), also said “Tinubu is engaging in consultations. He is visiting and consulting many prominent Nigerians across the country.”
What you should know
Presidential campaigns officially begin on the 28th of September 2022. On the same day, campaigns for the National Assembly also officially begin.
While Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the presidential candidate of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are his major opposition.
Nigeria will hold general elections next February to select a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.