Tanko Yakasai, an old man in need of help

The President has criticized elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai for questioning President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu.

In a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity released on Wednesday, the president said Mr. Yakasai is unknown to the party.

Mr Shehu said the support of frontline politicians to Mr Tinubu was priceless.

“Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is not recognized by the All Progressives Congress, APC. Everyone has the right to see, but what we know is that the insight in the recent interview did not come from the party or the President’s team. Support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is accepted although it is difficult to see what value which will be added.

“He is right to highlight his experience as a senior citizen, a leader in government and the ability to reach across the divide as a strong foundation for the highest office,” he said.

Mr. Shehu said Mr. Yakasai’s comments about the president’s loyalty were in contrast to reality.

He says that Mr. Yakasai is wrong and nothing should be taken seriously.

“But Yakasai’s question about the loyalty of President Muhammadu Buhari is in stark contrast to the actions of the President. Only on Monday, he came out at a rally in Bauchi in support of the party’s flag bearer. The president’s duty permitting, he is scheduled to appear again at a campaign event next week.

“The support for the candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in doubt. Had this not been on TV, Yakasai’s ill-advised comments on the matter would have been dismissed as a misquote. But he lives on TV. In this regard against President Buhari, no one should take it seriously.

“Perhaps times are tough and parents need help,” Mr. Shehu said.

The background

Mr. Yakasai is reported to have said that he felt Mr. Buhari did not support Mr. Tinubu’s candidacy.

Mr Yakasai, who is a former commissioner and former presidential aide, made the statement during an interview with Control TV on Monday.

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He expressed doubts about the president’s commitment and said Mr. Tinubu’s personality did not make the president happy.

“As far as I know, I am not sure that Buhari is happy with Tinubu’s candidacy. That’s the problem. He is (in) APC because he was elected president on the platform of APC but he is committed to Tinubu’s presidency? I have my doubts.

“I don’t know but I have not seen a commitment from him to support Tinubu’s candidacy in APC. I am not sure whether it is APC or not, but certainly, Tinubu’s personality does not make him happy from the assessment of the situation,” he said.