Davutoğlu claims all AKP provincial organization heads wanted to resign when he quit his role as PM

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All new parties reiterate the need for AKP, Erdoğan says after former ally launches opposition party

Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu has said that the heads of all the provincial organizations of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) wanted to resign when he quit his role as prime minister in 2016.

"This is the first time I'm saying this. All the provincial groups said, 'Allow us to hand our resignations as well,'" Davutoğlu told Fox TV on April 15 when he commented on the period that he quit the roles of party leadership and prime minister.

"Selim Temurci, then AKP Istanbul provincial head, said, 'We approved your party leadership nine months ago. All the provincial heads will resign. We stand with you,'" he added.

Davutoğlu quit his post over disagreements he had with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which finally resulted in his resignation from party membership in 2019.

He then founded the opposition Future Party late last year.

From opponent to staunch supporter: Political life of Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu

During the interview, Davutoğlu also commented on Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's decision to step down on April 12 following criticism of his short-notice curfew announcement against coronavirus and Erdoğan's rejection of the resignation.

"Soylu couldn't have decided to impose a curfew on his own. His resignation was the right decision, but he couldn't stand by it," Davutoğlu said.

He also criticized the fact that Erdoğan appointed his son-in-law Berat Albayrak as the Treasury and Finance Minister.

"No one can hold Albayrak to account. The ministers seem equal, but one minister is always one step ahead of them. There are reports of a rivalry between Soylu and Albayrak," Davutoğlu said.