Timi Frank, the APC’s former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, has chastised Chief Bisi Akande for claiming that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo opposed President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential ambition in 2015.
In his memoirs, “My Participations,” Akande claimed that Obasanjo conspired behind the scenes to prevent the APC from fielding Buhari as its presidential candidate.
Timi Frank responded in a statement on Sunday, calling Akande’s claim “contrived lies” intended to gain political mileage for his preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He recalled that, as one of the youngest among prominent leaders who worked for Buhari’s election as President, he was aware of Obasanjo’s and other prominent leaders’ critical roles in helping the APC win the presidency in 2015.
After his alleged opposition to Buhari’s emergence, the former APC spokesperson wondered why the former Governor of Osun State failed to name the presidential aspirant that Obasanjo backed.
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“As a major opposition figure and APC chieftain at the time, we know those who fought to make Buhari President, and Obasanjo is undoubtedly among them,” Timi Frank said.
“Obasanjo fought for Buhari’s election as President. I also had a significant role to play. Among those who helped make Buhari President are Aliyu Wamakko, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Murtala Nyako, Rotimi Amaechi, Abdulfatai Ahmed, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye, Musa Kwankwaso, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Malam Nasir el’Ru
“After resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party and openly shredding his PDP membership card, Obasanjo supported Buhari and worked both nationally and internationally to lobby for him against the then-incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.”
“Photos abound of the above leaders’ several shuttles to Otta to request Obasanjo’s backing for the Buhari initiative, and pictures don’t lie.”
“Like some of us who supported and worked against Jonathan, we have since realized our error, and I have apologized and begged Nigerians for forgiveness for my role in electing Buhari as President, who has proven to be a huge disappointment.”
“The same goes with Obasanjo. Former President Jonathan delivered a compelling open letter to Buhari in support of Buhari, which convinced the majority of the electorate to vote for Buhari, and Buhari won the election.
“As a retired military general, Obasanjo backed Buhari because he believed he would fight corruption and restore security to the country.” He only turned away after Buhari failed miserably on both counts. Nigerians can attest to this.
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“As one of the primary players in the crusade that brought Buhari to power, I’m also writing my book, and I’ll be able to properly locate some of the high points of that collective error and who did what very soon.”
Instead of attempting to discredit Obasanjo in order to convince Buhari, he advised Akande to look for other ways to rally support for his benefactor and preferred presidential candidate for 2023.
