Tinubu’s absence at Akeredolu’s rally is no big deal – Lalong

The Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong has said that the absence of the APC national leader, Bola Tinubu at the rally held in Ondo state, is not a big deal.

Tinubu was not part of the entourage that stormed Democracy Park in Akure on Saturday, November 19, 2016 to show support for the APC guber candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Lalong, who is the Chairman of the campaign committee of the Ondo governorship election, said all that matters is that President Buhari and the party Chairman, John Oyegun were present.

He also told Punch that he is very confident that Akeredolu will emerge as the Governor of Ondo state.

Lalong said “That (their absence) was not a problem. We explained their absence. They sent in their apologies. You heard what happened there. As far as we are concerned, the President who is the leader of the party was at the rally. The national chairman was also there. As far as we are concerned, everybody was there.

“To the party, their absence did not make any difference. If a leader was not there and he has said he was not there because of ill-health, we have prayed that God will heal him."

The Governor also said “We have finished our campaign. You saw what happened at the grand finale. We are not in doubt that APC will win the election in Ondo.

“It is other parties that are scared of the APC and not the APC being scared of other parties.

“We have come to thank the President for going to Ondo for the grand finale rally.”

Reports also say Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) shunned the APC campaign rally in Akure, Ondo state.