The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, says he will not defect to another political party, asking his constituents to disregard the claim that he had left the All Progressives Congress.
He said this on Monday in Abeokuta at a press conference where he declared his intention to re-contest the same position in 2019.
He explained that when he wanted to quit the APC with some of his colleagues in July, President Muhammadu Buhari called him and told him to remain in the party.
He said President Buhari, being a close friend of his father, Osile Oke Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, had wondered what he would tell him if he (Lanre) defected to the Peoples Democratic Party then.
He said what happened in July was due to a misunderstanding between him and the party at the local level, adding that it had since been resolved.
He said, “I cannot leave APC. I will only leave if President Buhari leaves. When the incident (attempted defection) happened, Mr. President called me and told me he wants me back in the party. What happened is just a misunderstanding at the local level of the party and it has been resolved.”
Tejuoso, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Health, threw his weight behind direct primary for the party at both national and state levels, said it would help all the party members to choose the candidates of their choice.
While dispelling the rumour that he was not in good terms with the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Tejuoso said the relationship between him and the governor was cordial.
He described the governor as his leader and mentor.
He said: “You know Ogun State is known in Nigeria to be the first in most things. It has been established that for democracy to thrive and to catch up with that of the developed nations, direct primary is the answer and since Ogun state is always the first I am sure my governor will surely support it because he always wants the best for the state.
“I am sure he will lead and others will follow and we are going to do direct primary by God’s grace in Ogun state and I am sure my governor will agree.
“So that everybody in the party can have their say and choose whoever they want. So let everybody vote.”
