According to the report from the Vanguard, the former campaign spokesman of President Bola Tinubu in the south East, Dr. Josef Onoh reflected on his initial perception of President Bola Tinubu as a strong contender in the presidential race but acknowledged that Tinubu faced challenges within his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Onoh explained that many APC members from the South East region did not support Tinubu, instead favoring Senator Lawal or Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo due to their religious affiliations.
He highlighted that the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket was a contentious issue in the South East, and as a result, he felt isolated and perceived as a failure.
Onoh shared that no politician in the South East wanted to be associated with him during this period due to the political climate and divisions within the APC.
According to Josef Onoh, “I knew from the onset that Asiwaju was a candidate to beat and my worry was the APC Primaries because no one, not even APC members from the South East wanted him, they either wanted Senator Lawal or Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo who enjoys a good support in the South East because he was a Pastor and the entire Muslim /Muslim ticket was an issue in the South East. Everyone deserted me, I was seen as a failure and no single politician in the South East even amongst my fold wanted to be associated with me.”….Vïêw–Môrê