Day: February 4, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has boosted the campaign of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by anointing him as his successor.

The president, who made his position known at the APC political rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State on Saturday, therefore, called on the electorate to massively vote for Tinubu/Shettima ticket on Feb. 25.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the renewed endorsement of Tinubu/Shettima ticket by the president might be a direct political message to the opposition parties who had been spreading alleged cracks in the leadership of the APC occasioned by Naira and fuel shortages across the country.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had severally misinterpreted statements credited to Tinubu at political rallies to mean attacks on Buhari or his policies and programme.

However, Buhari, who spoke both in English and Hausa languages at the rally, dismissed the assertions by the opposition, saying Tinubu had been a tested and trusted political ally.

”Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been my political ally for over 20 years. I’ve confidence in his ability and capacity to continue with the good works of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

”He will be a very good successor. Come out en masse and vote for Tinubu/Shettima ticket on Feb. 25 and you’ll never regret doiñg so,” he said.

The president also called on the APC supporters to vote for all APC candidates in the February and March general elections including incumbent Gov. Abdullahi Sule.

Earlier in his remarks, the APC presidential candidate lauded Buhari for focusing on delivering the dividends of democracy in spite of the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

He equally dismissed the insinuations being propagated by the opposition that the president was not in support of his presidential ambition.

Tinubu stated that the opposition would continue to be frustrated as cordial relationship between him and Buhari would continue to be waxing stronger.

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who mobilised and spoke on behalf of Governors elected under the platform of APC, commended the president for promoting the virtues of unity and harmony among all party members and supporters across the country.

The governor expressed the commitment of his colleagues to the success of Tinubu/Shettima Presidency in spite of the ongoing challenges in the country.

He stated that the presence of the APC Governors at the rally signified a sign of political victory for the party in the forthcoming general elections.

The APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, who also spoke at the event, called on the electorate to vote for Tinubu/Shettima ticket as well as all APC candidates during the February and March general elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari said Bola Tinubu, Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election, loves Nigeria and the electorates should vote for him as the next president.

The President made the call at the inauguration of the presidential campaign of APC on Saturday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Buhari added that he knew Tinubu as a progressive and patriotic Nigerian in the last 20 years who had contributed a lot to democracy in the country.

He further said that Tinubu had been tested and trusted in the position he held in the past and would replicate and improve upon if elected as president.

Buhari also said that he would continue to campaign for APC and urged Nigerians and indeed his followers to vote for Tinubu as his successor in February 25 election.

The President also called on the people of Nasarawa State to re-elect Gov. Abdullahi Sule for a second term in office to consolidate on his achievements in security, employment, agricultural development and health, among others.

Also, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman of APC, welcomed the President, Presidential candidate and his running mate as well as other APC leaders to Nasarawa State.

Adamu said that Nasarawa State people appreciate the President for dualising the Keffi/Lafia road, building the Federal Secretariat, Central Bank and appointment of prominent sons and daughters of the state as heads and members of Federal Government agencies among many others.

The APC National Chairman added that Nasarawa State and Nigerians would give Tinubu, Gov Sule and other APC candidates votes more than the previous elections.

On her part, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, thanked Buhari for giving women the opportunity to serve in prominent positions in his government.

The minister added that market women, farmers, youths and indeed the vulnerable had benefited immensely under the social investment programme of the government domicile in her office.

“No government in the recent history of Nigeria has invested in the women, youths and vulnerable like President Muhammadu Buhari,” she added.

Also, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), who spoke on behalf of governors, said APC would emerge victorious in the forthcoming presidential election and win more states.

The Chairman of the PGF used the opportunity and assured Nigerians that the hardship being faced due to due to fuel scarcity and redesign of the naira would soon end.

He said they have discussed extensively with the president and in the next few days opposition parties and those wanting to take political advantage on the situation would be put to shame.

On his part, Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the party, reinstated his commitment to transform the country and reposition it for economic development if elected as president.

Tinubu said that opposition parties and enemies of the country who want to see that there is crack in APC would wait in vain as the party remains united and stronger.

“APC is one and we will move together as one to victory in the forthcoming general elections by the grace of God,” he added.