The Chairman of the South-West Agenda, a group canvassing for the presidency of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, Senator Adebayo Adeyeye, has reacted to the statement of the former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, who claimed that it is too early to start the campaign.
The APC chieftain had stated on Tuesday while speaking on Arise TV that Tinubu had the right to contest for presidency in the 2023 general election, however, stated that it is too early to start campaigning so as to avoid political miscalculation.
Adeyeye, in an interview with Punch, noted that it is not too early to start gathering support for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
He said, “I don’t believe that it is too early to start mobilising support for Asiwaju Tinubu now, because 2023 is around the corner. We are already in January 2021; the election, according to the time table of the Independent National Electoral Commission, will take place in February 2023. That means we only have two years to make necessary preparations.”
“We should not also forget that the primaries of political parties will take place next year. So, it cannot be too early to start sensitisation for an individual’s candidacy. If you are really serious, this is the best time to start something in a big, highly diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria with a very huge population.”
He further stated that it is better to start campaigning for the former Governor of Lagos State to boost Tinubu’s chances.
He added, “We believe we have to start our work immediately. That is why we are starting now because Nigeria is fast becoming a much more complex society.”
“Time will tell whether what we are doing is right or wrong. We are not actually campaigning but merely sensitising people to the idea of the candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It is not a bad idea to start telling people that he is the best man for the job.”
Adeyeye recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari started his campaigns early when he wanted to contest for presidency in 2015.
He said, “There is still a long way to go and that is why we are saying that it is better to start a long journey very early and adequately prepared.”
“Chief Segun Osoba could hold his opinion, I will respect him. He is an elder statesman, a highly respected leader and a very successful politician. So, we respect his views and we also believe that on our own part, what we are doing from our own perspective, is the right thing.”
