Did Akşener say, ‘We are electing the man as President’? Murat Gezici breaks his silence

Zafer Party leader Ümit Özdağ alleged that former IYI Party chair Meral Akşener told a polling company owner, “We are electing the man (Erdoğan) as President, don’t ask why.” While Akşener announced she would file a lawsuit against Özdağ, Özdağ stated that he would reveal the name of the pollster who is the source of his claims in court if necessary. Journalist Fatih Altaylı identified the pollster as Murat Gezici, and Gezici has now issued a statement.

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Did Akşener say, ‘We are electing the man as President’? Murat Gezici breaks his silence

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ had made a striking claim about former IYI Party chair Meral Akşener while appearing as a guest on Mine Özbek's program on YouTube.

Özdağ stated, “Meral Hanım became a candidate, Muharrem İnce became a candidate. She received fewer votes than her party. There was a company that handled Akşener’s work. After I left the party, they came to me. ‘Hocam, I spoke with Meral Hanım, she didn’t listen to me. We met in Ankara, she took me to a room where we wouldn't be overheard. She said, ‘Don’t ask me why, we are electing the man as President. If you reveal my name, I will deny it.’”

Özdağ's claims became a major topic of discussion. Akşener announced that she would file a lawsuit against Özdağ. Following Akşener's legal move, Özdağ stated, "If a lawsuit is filed, I will say what is necessary in court," indicating that he would reveal the name of the pollster who is the source of his claims.

Journalist Fatih Altaylı said that the pollster in question is Murat Gezici.

MURAT GEZİCİ BREAKS HIS SILENCE

Following the polemic between Akşener and Özdağ, Murat Gezici broke his silence.

Speaking to Sözcü columnist Aytunç Erkin, Gezici refuted Özdağ and said the following:

“HE IS MANIPULATING THROUGH ME”

“I have underlined this in the media both last month and last year. The woman traveled to 81 provinces; she had a grandchild, she had a family. She cared more about the country's issues. She received a significant number of votes. She still has a base. Meral Akşener is still the most important political figure. I have said this many times. However, a process like the one Ümit Özdağ mentions did not happen. I had a meeting with Ümit Bey. It was in 2019. In that meeting, we only discussed this: He was explaining that Ms. Akşener’s strategies were wrong. He was already saying that he was a strategy expert and that the campaign was wrong. He hadn't left the party yet. I suppose this is what emotional manipulation is. He is saying that I said this. Whereas he was the one saying it. He was the one saying that Kılıçdaroğlu is Alevi and that he could not win. Frankly, he is manipulating through me. He is trying to use me to tell the lies he himself created.”

“I SEE THE PROCESS AS AN OPERATION CONDUCTED AGAINST AKŞENER”

“When the judiciary, which represents the great Turkish nation, calls me to court, I will say these things there as well. I see the process as an operation conducted against Meral Akşener. Even if it seems like Akşener has left, I see it as an attack by those who view her as a rival. Meral Akşener is an important Turkish politician. With these attacks, they want to harm a family by creating the perception that ‘she brought Erdoğan, she had him elected.’”

“HE HAD INVITED ME TO HIS INSTITUTE”

“Ümit Bey said he met with you in May 2021. It was 2019 or 2020. I went to the meeting upon his invitation. He had invited me to his institute. That visit lasted 20 minutes. His mother was also at that meeting. His mother also made negative comments, but I said I did not agree with them.”

“No such conversation took place. We held a meeting (at the Büyük Kulüp) to evaluate the general elections. No conversation was held regarding Akşener. I underline this: Meral Akşener is still very important for Turkish politics.”

News Source: 12punto