Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) on Thursday said some mischievous persons are trying to misinterpret what Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said about him as regards running for the presidency.
Oshimohole, while addressing journalists in Abuja had said Sagay was one of those who encouraged him to run for the Presidency.
“All I can tell you is that, I have a lot of respect for Professor Itse Sagay. I do remember very well that he was one of those who said I should contest for President. I respect him, he’s a very consistent fellow. He believes in what he believed in and he pays the price for it” he said.
Following Oshiomhole’s comment, many online platform reported that Sagay, who is also one of the leaders of the APC is encouraging Oshiomhole to contest the 2023 presidency when it is zoned to the South. Others also reported that he asked him to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
However, making the clarification in a chat with Daily Independent, Sagay said he once encouraged Oshiomhole to contest the 2003 presidential election when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was seeking a second term in office.
“Many mischievous people, particularly in social media are attempting to distort what Adams Oshiomhole, APC national chairman said about me that I encouraged him to contest for the Presidency. I wish to confirm with all my vigour that I encouraged him to contest in 2003 against former president Olusegun Obasanjo”.
“I remembered that we were on our way from Uyo after a meeting of Niger Delta people. Definitely, that issue could not have arisen again for two reasons. One, after our discussion, he contested for governorship election in Edo state. Two, Buhari himself came on the scene as a major figure whom we all supported with all our minds”.
“So, the issue doesn’t arise at all. There is a difference between 2003 and 2023. They are not related. I asked Oshiomhole to contest in 2003 and I became a strong Buhari supporter in 2014. So, there is 11 years distance between when I encouraged Oshiomhole to contest for presidency in 2003 and I was disappointed that eventually, he went for governorship”.
“ By the time, I supported Buhari in 2014, Oshiomhole did not cross my mind at all. So, I don’t think he could have deliberately made that statement because it is so untrue and dishonest and I think he is not that sort of person”.
“I may accuse him of being aggressive but he is not a dishonest man. Some mischievous people are just trying to misinterpret what he said”.
