APC PRIMARY: Aide Reiterates Akeredolu Stands, Debunks Rumors

Akeredolu who the described the as falsehood, stated that all he said was that the ticket should be ceded to the South.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde.

According to the statement, the intention of the writer of the report, was to drag the governor into "unnecessary declarations, despite public knowledge of his position as the Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum."

The statement read, "Nevertheless, Governor Akeredolu has continued to reiterate the stance of his brother governors in the Southern Nigeria Governors' Forum on the need for the south to produce the next president of the country in the spirit of equity and fairness.

"In clear terms, the widely circulated statement never emanated from Governor Akeredolu. It was, obviously, driven by overzealous partisan interests calculated to exploit the political capital of the Governor for personal gains.

"We, however, urge members of the public, particularly members of the APC and the party supporters, to disregard the statement as it does not represent the collective decision of the Southern Governors' Forum which Governor Akeredolu leads.

"Succinctly, Governor Akeredolu as a leader and stakeholder in the Southern Presidency agitation, is committed to the interest of the Southern Nigeria geo-political zone. He will not descend into an arena of partisanship to jeopardise the interest of the forum he leads."