Aggrieved presidential aspirants have right to complain – APC

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, on Wednesday disclosed that disgruntled aspirants who are still smarting from losing at the presidential primary have a right to air their grievances.

 This is even as he reassured that the leadership of APC is working hard to reunite all aggrieved members and chieftains of the party ahead of the 2023 election.

 Morka made the statement when he appeared on ‘Talk Point’, a popular political programme on Lagos Television on Wednesday afternoon.

Tinubu had polled 1,271 votes at the last primary to clinch the presidential ticket at stake.

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He defeated former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and 11 other aspirants at the Special National Convention of the party in Abuja.

The race for the presidential flag bearer started with 23 aspirants but nine withdrew shortly before the commencement of voting at the convention.

Osinbajo, who had been at loggerheads with his estranged godfather, distanced himself from Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, was another APC ex-aspirant who stirred the hornets’ nest when he alleged that delegates who voted at the party’s presidential primary were bribed to influence the outcome.

Reacting to the alleged cold war and nonchalant approach of the aggrieved stalwarts to Tinubu’s campaign, Morka, said the party is not resting on its oars in its bid to unite all camps before the 2023 election.

The APC publicity secretary said, “I am not aware of any war, let alone a cold or hot one. People went into primaries to compete and find favour with the electorate, in this case, the primary voters in our party. At the end of it, Asiwaju prevailed and I think that every other aspirant has the right if they choose to have that momentary period they disagree on why they didn’t win.

“We are working on the inside to address the dissatisfaction or disaffection we may have from some of our members who may be aggrieved. We are working hard to bring them together.”

Morka also stated that unlike the speculation making the round that the ruling party is ill-prepared for the 2023 election, Tinubu’s sustained consultation with relevant stakeholders is enough proof to justify that they are more than prepared.