Tinubu’s silence, acceptance of my candidature – Akeredolu

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said the silence of a National Leader of the party since his emergence was a sign that he has accepted him as candidate.
Akeredolu spoke with State House correspondents on Monday shortly after his introduction to President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s candidate by the Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong.
He expressed optimism that the APC would win the November 26 gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
He said: “l can always tell you, people who know me, they know that I talk most times with some confidence.
“Let me assure you here that by the grace of God, we will win the election in Ondo State.”
On his relationship with Tinubu, Akeredolu dismissed the insinuation that he had scores to settle with him.
He said that Tinubu’s silence over the conduct of the APC primaries signified acceptance of the exercise.
He said: “I don’t have any rift with him.
“Since the primaries, you would see that as a leader of the party, he has not said anything about it.
“He has accepted the primaries and we are moving on.
“So, I don’t have any rift with him at all and we are moving on.”
Akeredolu called on the security apparatus in Ondo State “to be up and doing so that they don’t allow miscreants to take over the state.
“What we said is don’t allow miscreants to be out as it could lead to the breakdown of law and order.
“So it’s not that we are afraid, but we fear for the lives and property of the people of Ondo State.”
On facing the challenge to be posed by either of the two candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party – Jimoh Ibrahim or Eyitayo Jegede, the APC gubernatorial candidate said he would have been happier facing both of them together.
Akeredolu said: “I can assure you I would have been happier facing both of them together.
“If Eyitayo Jegede was chosen as candidate and Ibrahim as his deputy, I will still win.
“Infact, Jegede happens to be a friend, Ibrahim too.
“Jimoh Ibrahim went to Ife, so, we have known ourselves for long.
“I have no fear about both of them.
“We know that we are going to win this election and I have no doubt.”