President Muhammadu Buhari announced yesterday that he would campaign for Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the February 25 election, to unite the party after allegations that some Presidency officials were conspiring against him.
He informed Tinubu that he would do his best to win the presidential election and that the APC presidential candidate will serve the nation well.
At the APC presidential campaign rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Buhari made the announcement.
The president also verified the APC presidential candidate’s earlier statement on their 20-year friendship, telling Nigerians especially Nasarawa State that Tinubu would be a good president who would improve the country.
He congratulated party supporters for standing in the blazing sun for hours to support the party’s candidates in the upcoming elections.
The president informed party supporters that he will continue to promote Tinubu as the “future president of Nigeria.”
“I am glad to be part of the campaign today for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria and Governor Sule for his second and final term,” Buhari stated in English and Hausa.
God willing, we will win. I’ve known Tinubu for over 20 years, and I’ll keep campaigning for him. I trust him to serve Nigeria well.
“Vote Abdullahi Sule for a second and final term as governor,” he added.
President Buhari hailed the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, for constantly welcoming him to his palace, saying he had lost count of the number of visits in the last eight years.
“I have known him (Tinubu) for many years from my days in Lagos State at the Court of Appeal; we saw what he did, his transformational agenda in the state,” the Emir and retired Supreme Court Justice remarked of Tinubu’s aspirations. Our nation awaits that. We know you can change this nation.”
At the event, Tinubu praised the president’s courage, saying he had led with daring and courage despite the hardships and that the country would recover.
Tinubu also compared Buhari to former US President Abraham Lincoln, who led his country through a crisis and achieved great infrastructural development.
The APC presidential contender hailed the president for serving as his “poster boy” and fighting for Nigeria’s survival.
Nigeria is surviving, and we feel because of constitutional democracy, we would have urged you to remain, but you said no, you are going back to Daura, your hometown.”
Tinubu also used the occasion to rebuke individuals who claimed he had a cold relationship with the president.
“Our president and Leader of APC internationally, it is a joy that you are a poster boy for APC and Bola Tinubu today. Those who see flaws in our friendship and relationship will be disillusioned and have their short-term joy destroyed. Ours isn’t personal. Integrity and nation-building.
Nobody expected a uniformed leader to be democratic, principled, and honored. “Having you at the rally today is a delight and honor,” Tinubu said.
“President Buhari bravely faced Nigeria’s issues. You struggled. Nigeria is surviving, and we feel because of constitutional democracy, we would have urged you to remain on, but you said no, you are going back to Daura. You claimed you’d let others do more. Few leaders create infrastructure while facing crises like you. Abraham Lincoln. You joined excellent men who can focus despite distractions and opponents. You’ve been called everything, yet in Nasarawa, you’re revered for commissioning project after project.
“We can observe true leadership, but we may not read the leader’s mind. I promise Nigeria will overcome all obstacles again today. Brave. Resilient. Agriculture and natural resources are our priorities. Earth and dust will become money. Working hard. Guaranteed. Your descendants will not regret our nation or ourselves. Tinubu added, “Happiness, joy, and prosperity will be our success.”
At the event, APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu spoke in Hausa about President Buhari and Tinubu’s relationship and urged the crowd to vote for the APC because of the current administration’s great work for the country and Nasarawa State.
Dr. Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President, urged voters to support Tinubu, saying APC had done well for the state.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, joined Betta Edu, the party’s National Women Leader, to rally women for the presidential candidate.
Simon Lalong, Plateau State Governor and Campaign Council Director-General, and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, former Nasarawa State Governor, urged voters to support all APC candidates in the upcoming elections.
Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who led his colleagues to the campaign site, urged people to support the APC administration and vote for party candidates in the general election despite the fuel and new Naira note scarcity created by saboteurs.
Bagudu said: “The Naira and fuel scarcity concerns are transitional. We are happy of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC governors’ accomplishments, but the opposition seeks to devalue our party. We are proud of our party, presidential candidate Asiwaju Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Shettima, and we know they will win the election in 21 days.”
