National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday admitted that Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had done well as governor but added that he had not been a good party man.
Speaking shortly at his Ward C, Ikeja Local Government Area after he participated in the governorship primary, Tinubu said Ambode’s failure as a party man was responsible for the withdrawal of support for his reelection bid by the leadership of the party in the state.
He said the decision of the party not to back Ambode’s second term bid was beyond him, adding that as a leader, he has no option than to listen to the voice his followers in APC.
Tinubu said even though he supported Ambode in 2014, he could not go against the party which endorsed Jide Sanwo-Olu, because that would amount to failing leadership test.
“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,” Tinubu said.
