President-Elect Bola Tinubu Archives

March 30, 2023

Clerics call for unity, good governance at Tinubu’s birthday prayer

PRESS RELEASE

At Tinubu’s 71st birthday prayers, thanksgiving service, clerics call for national unity, good governance

Clerics have called for the strengthening of national unity and tasked the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to deliver on his promise of good governance.

The Islamic clerics made the call on Wednesday at the Alausa Central Mosque, during the special prayers and thanksgiving for Asiwaju Tinubu to mark his 71st birthday ceremony.

Asiwaju Tinubu requested special prayers in mosques and churches across the country instead of the celebratory annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium

Delivering a sermon during the special prayers, the Chief Imam/ Missioner, Ikwan Musulumi, Sheikh Abdulhakeem Muhammed Awwal, compared the President-elect with Prophets Musa and Yusuf (Moses and Joshua) who led the children of Israel out of captivity in Egypt to the promised land.

Sheikh Awwal said God had chosen Asiwaju Tinubu as the next leader of Nigeria to make life better for the people, adding that the former Governor of Lagos must deliver on his campaign promises.

“God has lifted our father Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be the incoming President of Nigeria. God that helped him to run Lagos well will also help him to be a good leader for Nigeria. He is like Prophets Musa and Yusuf that God used to lead the children of Israel out of bondage. We know he will do well for Nigerians the way he achieved many good things in Lagos. We pray God will grant him good health, knowledge and understanding.”

In his own homily, National Missioner, Ansar-Ur-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdulRaman Olanrewaju Ahmad, harped on the importance of peace and unity in Nigeria because no leader can do anything meaningful when there is instability and strife.

Sheikh Ahmad urged Nigerians to rally behind the President-elect and support him to succeed in office from May 29, 2023 when he will take the reins of power.

“We need a peaceful society and as Nigerians we must live together in peace and harmony. We must support our incoming President, Asiwaju Tinubu so he can do all the good things he promised. He is capable and knowledgeable to make Nigeria better.”

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in his vote of thanks at the event restated that Asiwaju Tinubu won the presidential election and those kicking against his victory should avail themselves of the constitutional process of seeking redress instead of seeking to cause political crisis by calling for unconstitutional take over of power by the military.

Dr. Hamzat recalled the words of John F. Kennedy, former United States President, who said during his inauguration in 1963 that America will rally behind all those who seek the goodness and greatness of his country, saying the Nigeria President-elect would also do well for all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria that seek her greatness.

Special prayers were also offered for President Muhammadu Buhari, his wife Aisha Buhari to end their tenure well. The clerics also offered prayers for Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President-elect, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, his deputy, Dr. Hamzat, and all elected Governors, Federal and State lawmakers across the country that God should direct them to be good leaders that will make life better for the people.

The Special prayers and thanksgiving event was attended by Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Idowu Obasa, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mrs. Folasade Jaji, Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, Lagos State All Progressives Congress Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Lagos socialite and APC chieftain, Alhaji Mutiu Areh, traditional rulers and other top government officials.

Office of the President-elect
Tunde Rahman
March 29, 2023

Solidarity gathering in Abuja for Tinubu, Shettima

March 28, 2023

Calls for ING unpatriotic, says Tinubu solidarity group

President-Elect Bola Tinubu

The Patriots in Defense of Democracy, a political pressure group, has condemned as unpatriotic calls by some people for the establishment of an Interim National Government, in place of a democratically elected one.

Mr Donald Ayibiowo, the Co-Convener of the group, said this on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a solidarity rally organised by them.

According to him, the rally is to redirect ongoing narratives about the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, and the emergence of Sen. Bola Tinubu as President-elect.

“This is condemnable, unpatriotic and should be rejected by all men of goodwill, political parties have contested elections and winners had emerged.

“And due process of law is being followed in resolving whatever dispute may have arisen from the election.

“It may not have been the best of elections, but it is credible and majority of Nigerians are happy, and Section 139 of our Constitution says whoever is aggrieved should go to the court,’’ Ayibiowo said.

He added that Section 153 of the Constitution had also made provision for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to superintend over elections in the country.

He pointed out that it was wrong for a group of individuals to discredit an election that produced Governors and lawmakers across the country in its entirety.

He said calling for the annulment of such an election was way out of it and going too far.

Ayibiowu, therefore, called on members of opposition parties to sheath their swords and let peace reign in the country rather that heating up the polity with calls to abort the democratic process.

Mr Tosin Adeyanju, the Convener of the group, said the rally was to redirect the perspective making the rounds that those protesting against the election and emergence of Tinubu as President-elect were in the majority.

“They are not in the majority, they are in the minority and very few, just may be one per cent are the ones complaining about the outcome of the election.

“We are therefore here to tell Nigerians that the election was free, fair and credible, and that Tinubu have the support of majority of Nigerians.

“And we will be here, celebrating his victory, eating, drinking and counting down to May 29, his inauguration date,’’ Adeyanju said.

On how to sustain the rally till May 29, he said there would be voluntary contributions from members of the group.

He noted that the fact that about seven incumbent governors lost their election bid to the Senate was an attestation that the election was free, fair and credible.

This, Adeyaju added, was especially because such had never happened in the country`s political history.

He alleged that in the past, election results were usually written in government houses and in the houses of political big wigs, saying the introduction of BVAS technology by INEC was the game changer.

He recalled that even the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost some of its strong holds such as Zamfara and Lagos States, among others, to opposition political parties.

“By and large, the election was free, fair and credible, but people just want to discredit it, saying it was rigged,” Adeyanju stressed.

Dr Halima Usman, a member of the group, also said the rally was to drive home a point and draw the attention of Nigerians on the possible implications of heating up the polity with incendiary comments.

She called on Nigerians and the political class especially, to accept the outcome of the Feb. 25 presidential election, adding that the election had been won and lost.

According to her, the election was free, fair and credible in accordance with the Electoral Act and guidelines, saying its outcome should be accepted in good faith by all Nigerians.

She said this was critical to keep the country in peace and unity and move her to the next level of development.

Mr Segun Mayegun, in his remarks, said those with Tinubu were in the majority and would do everything possible to secure his mandate.

He added that they would also not allow Tinubu`s election as President-elect to be annulled as desired by those in the opposition.

He advised that whoever that was not satisfied with the outcome of the election should approach the court with evidence to prove their allegations of rigging.

He added that irrespective of what it would cost in terms of logistics and food, the group would continue the rally until the last minute of Tinubu`s inauguration as the country’s 16th president.

He however underscored the need for security agents to call to order politicians that had been making comments capable of heating up the polity.

He described Tinubu as the hero of true federalism in Nigeria, having canvassed physical federalism and fought hard alongside other Nigerians to enthrone democracy in the country.

According to Mayegun, the Feb. 25 presidential election is the first time one of those who fought for the country`s democracy will be elected as president.

March 28, 2023

Buhari not spending extra day, transition to Tinubu govt on course– SGF

Boss Mustapha, President Buhari, President-Elect Bola Tinubu

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said the transition process to handover to President-elect Bola Tinubu is on course.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is not spending a day extra after the 29 of May to handover power to whoever has been declared by the INEC”, he said.

Mustapha, who is also the Chairman, Presidential Transition Council, gave the assurance on Tuesday at a news conference to brief journalists on the updates of the transitional process since the committee was inaugurated.

The Federal Government on Feb. 14 inaugurated a 22-man Presidential Transition Council ahead of the 2023 handover to the incoming government.

“The transition process is on course and all efforts are being made to ensure that it is smooth and on May 29, there would be peaceful formal transfer of power to the new president-elect.”

According to him, the process of interface is necessary so as to keep Nigerians abreast of developments, build inclusiveness and lay a solid foundation for peaceful transition of power in the country.

“The Presidential Transition Council which was inaugurated on Feb. 14 is made up of 24 members which includes two persons from the President-Elect’s team.

“After the declaration of His Excellency, Asiwaju-Bola Tinubu as the President-Elect, the PTC requested him to nominate his representatives on the council as provided in the Executive Order.

“The President-elect nominated His Excellency, Atiku Bagudu, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chief Olawale Edun both of whom have since joined the process actively. “

Answering questions on any interference owing to the ongoing court proceedings on election, Mustapha said that litigation would not stop the transition process

“It is a constitutional matter and whether all the litigations concerning the election petitions are resolved or not, it will not in anyway stop the formal transfer of power on May 29.

“The court processes will continue and we are doing everything to ensure that the transition process is not truncated. Federal Government has issued a statement to that effect, ” SGF said

March 27, 2023

Tinubu calls for prayers, thanksgiving to mark birthday

President-Elect Bola Tinubu

PRESS RELEASE

President-elect Asíwájú Tinubu calls for prayers, thanksgiving to mark 71st birthday

To mark his 71st birthday, President-elect Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that special prayers and thanksgiving service be held on Wednesday March 29, 2023, instead of the yearly birthday colloquium.

The special prayers will be held in Lagos and in other parts of the country.

A statement from his office on Monday indicated that for the main event in Lagos special prayers will be offered at the Central Mosque in each of the five divisions in the state including the Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.

During the prayer sessions, special prayers will be offered for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

Also to receive prayers among others are President Muhammadu Buhari and First Lady Aisha Buhari, President-elect Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima and Hajia Nana Shettima, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, other state governors as well as members of National and State Houses of Assembly.

According to an announcement by the organisers of the prayer sessions issued by Imam Akeem Kosoko, the session at Alausa Central Mosque will begin at 10am on Wednesday and will include delivery of sermons and reading from the Holy Quran.

This year will be the third in recent times the birthday colloquium will not hold in deference to developments in the country.

In 2020, the 12th edition of the colloquium marking Asíwájú’s 68th birthday was put off to empathize with those who lost their lives or affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

And last year, the birthday symposium was also called off by Asíwájú Tinubu right at the venue of the event when news emerged of the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in which several persons died and many others abducted.
The Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos venue was already filled to capacity with dignitaries to celebrate the birthday when Asíwájú took to the podium to announce the cancellation of the event.
The former Governor of Lagos had said it would not be proper for him as a statesman to be celebrating when such a tragedy had befallen the nation.

“For me to be here celebrating, dancing and enjoying myself, does not speak of me as a senior citizen of this country. I asked that the cleric should rather engage in prayers. This event should not be holding,” Tinubu had said on the occasion.

This year, the president-elect said the date, which falls within the holy month of Ramadan, should be dedicated to prayers and seeking God’s guidance for him and the country as he prepares to take the reins of leadership.

Office of the President-elect,
Tunde Rahman
March 27, 2023.

March 26, 2023

You are busy body: Appeal court knocks PDP in case against Tinubu, Shettima

PDP, President-Elect Bola Tinubu, Senator Kashim Shettima

The Court of Appeal, Abuja has dismissed an appeal by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking the disqualification of Sen. Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate, All Progressives Congress (APC), and his vice, Kashim Shettima, in the Feb. 25 election.

A three-man panel headed by Justice James Abundaga, in a unanimous judgment, held that the PDP failed to establish that its had locus standi to institute the case.

Justice Abundaga, who agreed with the submissions of lawyers to the respondents slammed the PDP as a busy body, who dabbled into issues that were internal affairs of the APC.

Justice Abundaga held that the trial court was right to have held that the PDP failed to establish its locus standi.

“The appellant, having failed to disclose its locus standi, this appeal fails and it is hereby dismissed,” he said and proceeded to affirm the judgment of the FHC.

The judge also awarded N5 million cost against the appellant’s lawyer, J. O. Olotu.

The PDP, in an appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/108/2023, had prayed the appellate court to reverse the Jan. 13 judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja which dismissed its suit on the grounds that the PDP lacked locus standi to have instituted the suit.

While the PDP was the appellant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, Tinubu and Shettima were respondents in the appeal.

The PDP in the suit filed on July 28, 2022, challenged the validity of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

It argued that Shettima’s nomination as the running mate was in breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84{1)}(2)} of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), claiming that Shettima had double nominations.

It claimed that as at the time Shettima was nominated as vice presidential candidate, he had not resigned or withdrawn his nomination as candidate for Borno Central Senatorial poll.

The party argued that Shettima’s nomination as a vice-presidential candidate as well as the candidate for the Borno Central Senatorial seat contravened the law.

The PDP, which sought an order disqualifying the APC, Tinubu and Shettima from contesting the presidential election scheduled for Feb. 25, equally prayed the court for an order nullifying their candidacy.

It further prayed the court for an order compelling INEC to remove their names from its list of nominated or sponsored candidates eligible to contest the election.

The defendants, in their preliminary objection, urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

They contended that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the case, which invariably challenged APC’s decision and its nomination of candidates for the election, which were within the confines of the party’s internal affairs and thus, non-justiciable.

The issue determined in the appeal is one of the major planks of Atiku’s petition at the election tribunal.

The judges’ position is indicative of the fate that awaits the petition.

March 24, 2023

Buhari never said he won’t handover to Tinubu: Aso Rock

President Buhari, President-Elect Bola Tinubu

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

THE PRESIDENT NEVER SAID HE WON’T HAND OVER TO ELECTED TINUBU

The Presidency wishes to denounce as outrageous and fake, and condemns the fake news brigade for attributing a false quote to President Muhammadu Buhari and circulating it.

How can you vigorously campaign for somebody, vote for him and then say you won’t hand over to him? This beggars belief.

The situation of the Sahara Reporters is pretty pathetic since their ownership is politically partisan in today’s politics, in fact a loser in the presidential election. Instead of talking about issues, they repeatedly sell lies in the hope that people believe them as truth.

The government is already in transition phase.

The Transition Committee, made up of representatives of the outgoing administration and the incoming one is meeting on an almost daily basis planning the handover to the Tinubu/Shettima administration.

Thirteen committees as offshoots of the main committee, some, to arrange military drills and pulling out of President Buhari, are either all at work or soon to be.

So far, everything is going very well and there is no indication of any hitches.

As for the President, the Daura community has begun their preparations to receive their son back after the successful administration of the country for two terms of eight years. He, for his part, is eager to return home to enjoy his retirement.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 24, 2023

March 23, 2023

No clandestine meeting between CJN, President-elect

CJN Olukayode Ariwoola, President-Elect Bola Tinubu

PRESS STATEMENT

NO CLANDESTINE MEETING BETWEEN CJN AND PRESIDENT-ELECT

Our attention has been drawn to the grossly fake, misleading and malicious story about the Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola disguising to meet President-elect Bola Tinubu in London.

The story was a pure concoction from the hallucinating minds of hatchet men bent on creating doubts and public distrust about the legitimacy of our recent election, which was won by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

We refute emphatically that there has been no clandestine meeting between the President-elect and the respected Chief Justice of our country, any where. It’s pure fabricated news, groundless in fact and authenticity.

To show that the story was a mere salacious fiction, meant to draw traffic to the discredited purveyor, it claimed the Chief Justice left Nigeria for London on 11 March, on a wheel chair to board a plane.

The President elect left Nigeria on 21 March, 10 clear days thereafter. What kind of appointment or secret meeting will the two men have arranged in London, with so wide disparate arrival dates, except in the imagination of the false news merchants?

We can confirm that the President-elect, who left Nigeria Tuesday has not been in London.
He is right now in France to have a deserved rest, after a hectic campaign that began in January 2022.

He will go to London thereafter before proceeding to Mecca for the lesser Hajj.

As we move towards inauguration on 29 May, 2023, Nigerians should expect more false and salacious news from a section of the Nigerian media, on the payroll of the opposition.

We urge the media once again to cross check their information from the President-elect media office before rushing to press.

Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media and Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Let’s live in peace and Justice: Tinubu’s Ramadan message

President-Elect Bola Tinubu, Ramadan

PRESIDENT-ELECT ASIWAJU TINUBU’S RAMADAN MESSAGE

As we begin this year’s Ramadan, I bring warm greetings and congratulations to all Muslims who have received the grace of Almighty Allah to witness this holy month.

Ramadan is more than a month of fasting. We fast to strengthen our relationship and our appreciation of Allah. We fast to make ourselves better servants of both Allah and our fellow man. However, this month is more than abstention from food and drink from dawn to dusk. It must entail imbibing the spirit and true meaning behind the holy month. We must keep hold of the excellent and wonderful things the holy month of Ramadan signifies.

As we embark on fasting and spiritual reflection, let us proceed, imbued with the spirit of sacrifice, self – discipline, goodwill, justice, tolerance, mercy, compassion and generousity that lie at the heart of Islam.

Let us strive to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) example of humility, forgiveness, and service to others.

Let us move in this way that we may make of ourselves a better people and nation in which all people, Muslim and non-Muslim, may live in trust, peace and justice as Allah would have it be.

As we engage in supplications to Allah, let us also remember our country and leaders in our prayers.

Let us remember our diversity is for a purpose and pray that we all work to strengthen it. We must join hands to bring progress in Nigeria by praying for unity and progress. The lessons of the holy month of Ramadan point to the success of unity, not the failure of division.

May this Ramadan bring us all closer to Allah. May our fasting and prayers be accepted. May this holy month be a time of peace, unity, and harmony in Nigeria and for all humanity.

Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims in Nigeria and across the world!

SIGNED

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President-Elect, Federal Republic of Nigeria
March 23, 2023.

March 22, 2023

President-elect Tinubu out of the country for rest, lesser hajj

President-Elect Bola Tinubu

PRESS STATEMENT

President-elect Tinubu out of the country to undertake rest, lesser hajj

After a very exhaustive campaign and election season, President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has travelled abroad to rest and plan his transition programme ahead of May 29, 2023 inauguration.

The President-elect left the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja for Europe on Tuesday night.

The President-elect decided to take a break after the hectic campaign and election season to rest in Paris and London, preparatory to going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and the Ramadan Fasting that begins Thursday.

While away, the President-elect will also use the opportunity to plan his transition programme.

He is expected back in the country soon.

We enjoin the media to stop publishing rumours and unsubstantiated claims and to always seek clarifications from our office.

Office of President-elect,
Tunde Rahman
March 22, 2023.

March 21, 2023

Peter Obi seeks annulment of Tinubu’s victory like June 12

Peter Obi, President-Elect Bola Tinubu

Labour Party (LP) candidate Mr. Peter Obi, is seeking the annulment of the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu, just like it happened in 1993 in the election of MKO Abiola.

The annulment is one of the five grounds Obi filed in his petition to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 25 February election.

In a report by Premium Times, Obi who came third in the election, wants Tinubu’s election nullified and a fresh election ordered.

The paper reported that Obi filed his petition to challenge the outcome of the poll at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja at about midnight on Tuesday.

He alleged that the election was characterised by various irregularities including the non-qualification of Mr Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima to contest the election.

He also alleged that Mr Tinubu failed to win the majority of the lawful votes cast in the election, and just as he could not secure one-quarter of the lawful votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He also alleged that the election was conducted in substantial non-compliance with the provision of the law.

The Labour Party candidate, therefore, urged the court to either declare him the president-elect, in the belief that he scored the majority of the lawful votes during the election, or nullify the entire election and order a fresh election.

The petition contains a total of five prayers divided into two categories – two main prayers and three alternative prayers.

Mr Obi jointly filed the petition alongside his party, the Labour Party.

The co-petitioners sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Tinubu, Kashim Shettima (vice-president-elect) and their party, the APC, as the respondents.

Mr Obi’s legal team which filed the petition against the outcome of the election on Tuesday is led by Livy Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Mr Uzoukwu led Atiku’s legal team when the former vice president unsuccessfully challenged the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

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