President Muhammadu Buhari has received in audience All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in State House on 9th June 2022
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night hosted All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Tinubu pledged to sustain Buhari’s legacies when he wins the election and is sworn in as his successor.
He commended the president for providing a level-playing field for the process of selecting the party’s presidential candidate.
He recalled that the president had promised many times that he would support the democratic process and he had proven that with the party’s Presidential primary, which he won.
“He promised the whole country and the world that he will build a legacy of transparency and consistency. Legacy of a level-playing ground for all the aspirants. He will be committed to democratic principles and values and he did so.
“He didn’t endorse anybody, he didn’t impose anybody, he did not, at any time, attempt to tinker with the process of this election to favour one tribe or the other. He was steadfast, he was trust worthy, he was dependable, he was a leader,
“If he had to give it to anybody, it’s not my victory that is important, it’s the process and the management of that election that gave it to President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Asked also of the choice of his running mate, he said “I won’t tell you that. That is my right, it’s in my pocket book”.
The APC presidential candidate was accompanied on the visit by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Wale Tinubu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu emerged winner of the APC presidential primary election held at Eagle Square, Abuja, between June 7 and 8, 2022.
Tinubu garnered 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Rotimi Amaechi, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who scored 316 and 235 votes respectively while Senate President Ahmad Lawan got 152 votes.
President Buhari had on June 8 congratulated Tinubu, the APC Presidential Flagbearer in the 2023 elections.
He said: “Having emerged victorious he has our full and unwavering support.”Now our party must unite behind our candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections so that our government will continue to secure our communities, grow our economy and continue the fight against corruption.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari has described the just-concluded APC presidential primary as one of the most competitive and peaceful in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement, said the president stated this in a letter addressed to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Chairman, Progressives Governor Forum.
The president commended the role played by Bagudu in the success of the primary that produced the standard-bearer of the party in the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
He said: ‘‘I was pleased to see how you were very professional and efficient in handling the sensitive political position of Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum.
‘‘Your commitment in pursuit of equity and fairness speaks volumes in the cooperation displayed by APC Governors. This indeed demonstrates the camaraderie that brought us together over eight years ago.
‘‘The party primaries were peacefully conducted and the delegates have selected the candidate who will carry the APC flag in the 2023 Presidential elections.
‘‘Today, as a patriotic APC member and stakeholder, I trust that you will come together to work with our candidate to win the 2023 elections.
‘‘In the past seven years in government, we have achieved a lot. However, we have a lot more to do. The APC project is far from over and we need all of you to come together to ensure our progressive journey to peace and prosperity is sustained.
‘‘Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you. He is our friend and brother. We know his commitment, his track record, and his capacity to lead our party to success.
”So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory.
‘‘I look forward to working closely with APC Governors to support Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all our APC candidates to success in 2023.
‘‘While I wish our great party success in the 2023 elections, please accept the assurances of my consideration and personal regards.’’
