- By Kamil Opeyemi
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told members of the All Progressive Congress that the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a reliable and consistent Nigerian who should be elected his successor.
Buhari, who joined Tinubu, his running mate, Kashim Shetimma, national chairman of the party, Abdulah Adamu, Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other party leaders at the Teslim Balogun stadium, said Tinubu would not disappoint them. Before Buhari, Tinubu himself had asked the mammoth crowd if they wanted him elected president.
The campaign had shut down Lagos as most routes in the state had spill effect of the heavy traffic congestion caused by the rally at the Teslim Balogun stadium. Thousands of supporters had trooped out to welcome the presidential candidate as his motorcade moved through the route already designated for him.
https://twitter.com/NpoReports/status/1628056366333001728Speaking at the rally, Tibubu said “Thank you very much Mr. President. You encourage all of us. Thank you for today, thank you for the past and thank you for tomorrow.
‘You set our foot on the path to the future to work hard for our nation and achieve greatness because it’s desirable for Nigeria to great,” he said
Speaking about the commitment of President Buhari to free, fair and credible elections in the country, Tinubu explained how he was celebrated by Buhari after his emergence as the party’s flag bearer.
“Thank you Mr. President. You follow the procedure. You encourage all of us. The primary came, the vote cast and I won. You didn’t ask them to reverse it based upon my religion, you didn’t ask them to alter it based upon my tribe. You didn’t ask us to change it because I was not from your village in Daura.
“You celebrated the victory with me and said to me, ‘Congratulations.’
“I came to you to nominate my running mate for me just exactly as I did for you in 2015,the vice-president
but instead of giving me the same coin, you said, “No, you know better, you are experienced better, you know those Nigerians, you know who you want to work with. Go and search if you have not done so,
Tinubu said.
“I assure you, as you work hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria. As you give Nigerians the hope to renew their faith in their country, I will sustain that hope.
“Those who look helpless today will be helpful in this country. All the agenda set in our programme – Renewed Hope manifesto – will be pursued diligently, vigorously, with all our energy. Pls bear with me,” he said
Aside from President Muhammad Buhari, the rally was also graced by the Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Others include, Governors of Kebbi, Kogi, Plateau, Ogun amongst others