Head of the İstanbul branch of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Selim Temurci has announced his resignation from his post, in which he served for three years.
Speaking at a news conference at the AKP İstanbul provincial branch on Friday, Temurci said he received a phone call from AKP headquarters on Thursday night and was asked to stick to a text he would read to the press after announcing his resignation.
“Generally, I don’t speak according to any text, but I also follow advice. My colleagues wanted to me to speak using the text,” he said.
In his speech, Temurci explained how hard he had worked for the AKP during his three-year-long tenure and how proudly he was leaving his post today.
“I came with honor and am leaving with honor,” he said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who paid a visit to the AKP İstanbul branch in October 2017, refused to shake hands with Temurci, which led to claims that the president was uneasy with him.
There were also claims that Temurci seen by Erdoğan as an ally of former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.