Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Ikoawaji said he was present at the APC presidential convention and personally observed the voting pattern of delegates from different states.
According to him, the conduct of some governors and their delegates at the convention contrasts with their present public posture of loyalty to the President.
“Most of the APC governors who are singing praises of President Tinubu, I was on ground in the convention, their delegates did not vote President Tinubu, their delegates voted Ahmad Lawal,” Ikoawaji stated.
He explained that the claim highlights the intense internal contestation that characterized the APC presidential primary, stressing that Tinubu’s emergence was not the result of unanimous support from party leaders.
Ikoawaji noted that at the time, Ahmed Lawan, the former Senate President, enjoyed the backing of influential figures within the party, which reflected in the voting decisions of several state delegations.
The Rivers State Elders Forum member argued that post-election political alignments often differ from pre-election realities, as politicians tend to realign after power has shifted.
He said this pattern is common in Nigerian politics and should not be ignored when assessing political narratives surrounding the 2023 elections.
Ikoawaji further urged political actors to be honest about past positions, noting that acknowledging political differences would strengthen internal party democracy and accountability.
He warned that attempts to rewrite history could mislead the public and weaken trust in political institutions.
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