Efforts by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South West to present a “consensus” candidate ahead of Tuesday presidential convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have suffered setback as Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi rebuffed entreaties to them to step down for former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Names of five presidential aspirants were reportedly submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari by the forum of the APC Governors, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), who favour a southern presidential candidate, for consideration.

The five aspirants from the Southern part of the country include, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the forum of 36 States Governors, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

It was gathered that Professor Osinbajo told the APC leaders that he has been demonised by Tinubu’s supporters and has vowed to test his acceptability by proceeding to contest at the primary election.

An aide of Ekiti State Governor who craved not to be named also was quoted as saying that that his principal was hopeful of victory, saying “We are prepared to run and we are winning. We will shock everybody.”