My attention has again been drawn to false reports and misleading claims being circulated suggesting that I have stepped down for another aspirant, Qowiyy Olododo.
I wish to clearly and categorically state that this claim is completely false, childish, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead party members and the public.
For the purpose of clarity, the meeting where the photograph being circulated was taken was convened by some stakeholders from Ilorin East during the ongoing primary process.
At the meeting, it was openly stated that government interest was in support of another aspirant. I made it clear that I had no problem whatsoever with the interest of the governor. Politics naturally accommodates interests, consultations, and alignments.
However, I respectfully maintained that the right thing must be done in line with due process, fairness, and the constitution of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.
I specifically emphasized that consensus is not something introduced after a direct primary process was to about commence. The party constitution is very clear regarding such procedures.
I equally reminded those at the meeting that all aspirants had at different times visited leaders and stakeholders for consultations and support ahead of the election.
If there was truly a pre-existing consensus arrangement or directive, why was it not communicated before the commencement of the process and voting exercise?
Why did they allow aspirants to spend that much before they came up with a consensus on the day of election.
Why wait until the election was already ongoing across the constituency before introducing such a discussion?
I also asked a fundamental question: were the appropriate authorities fully informed from the beginning about the actual number of aspirants contesting the election and the realities on the ground before these last-minute claims emerged?
At no point did I step down for anybody.
In fact, if truly I had withdrawn from the race, where is the formal withdrawal letter expected from me as an aspirant to authenticate such a claim?
Politics and party processes are guided by procedures, not rumours, social media propaganda, or political manipulation.
The impression created before the photograph was taken was that all aspirants from Ilorin East should form a unity ring and publicly pledge that no aspirant would leave the party after the primary election.
That was the true context of the photograph now being deliberately misrepresented.
Even more contradictory is the fact that those pushing the false narrative that I agreed to a consensus arrangement were at the same time already declaring election results. If truly there was a consensus and withdrawal, what results were then being declared from an election process?
The contradiction speaks for itself. I wish to state categorically that the purported results currently being circulated in some quarters are neither genuine nor a true reflection of the actual outcome from the field.
Though I clearly stated at the meeting that as a loyal party man, I would continue to work for the success of the APC and support the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regardless of the outcome, that should never be twisted to mean withdrawal from the race.
By the grace of Almighty Allah, I remain fully in the contest.
At this important stage, I will not allow myself to be distracted by rumours, propaganda, or desperate attempts to create confusion.
I urge all my supporters and well-wishers to remain calm, peaceful, and focused.
Most importantly, I sincerely appreciate every registered APC member, supporter, youth, woman, elder, and stakeholder who came out massively across the wards to vote and stand firmly behind this aspiration.
Your support, encouragement, and belief in this movement have once again shown that this project truly belongs to the people. The love was so massive.
I remain deeply grateful and proud of the peaceful and mature manner in which our supporters conducted themselves throughout the exercise.
May Almighty Allah reward you all abundantly.
Thank you for standing with me.
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