Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says his relationship with Abiola Ajimobi, governor of Oyo state, is solid.
Tinubu was reacting to a report that he was making moves to ban Ajimobi from leading APC campaigns in Oyo.
Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media adviser, denied the report saying the national leader was only lending his support to the governor efforts in the state.
He noted that Tinubu’s intervention in state’s chapter of APC is to facilitate “genuine reconciliation and not to supplant the governor”.
“This report goes beyond a lie. It is a vindictive attempt to sow discord because the writer is angered by the APC’s success in the presidential election,” he said in a statement.
“By its unsubstantiated report, the medium seeks to set brother against brother. Asiwaju and Governor Ajimobi have been political brothers and allies for a long time.
“Moreover, Governor Ajimobi has been an excellent governor and a faithful member of the APC. He has brought progress to the state and in serving two consecutive terms, Ajimobi made history in Oyo.
“He is instrumental to anything the APC can achieve in Oyo.”
The statement said the actions of the national leader was to bring “all together” to achieve success in the forthcoming governorship election.
“The truth is that Asiwaju is not trying to supplant or hide the governor, instead, Asiwaju is lending his support to the governor’s and APC’s efforts in the state,” he said.
“As such, he has held strategic meetings with some notable groups and important individuals. The heart of the discussions was the need for all to come together to achieve victory for APC in the March 9 governorship poll.
“We want and need Governor Ajimobi to be a visible figure at the forefront of this campaign during these final decisive days. He will prove pivotal to our hope for victory in the state.
“In addition to not having such a negative inclination, Asiwaju wields no such power and has no desire to have such power.
“Asiwaju views Governor Ajimobi as highly disciplined and a committed and respected party leader, unlike some others who have no respect for party supremacy. The relationship between them remains solid and loyal.”