President Muhammadu Buhari has again restated his resolve to lead the campaign train of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The President’s declaration would not be unconnected by wild held speculations making the rounds that he may have dumped the APC presidential candidate to his fate in order to protect undisclosed pecuniary interest.
Buhari, who at the APC presidential rally in Lafia, Nasarawa state, said he remains committed to ensure that Tinubu emerge as his successor in the forthcoming February 25th general election.
Buhari’s declaration is also coming against the backdrop of Governor Nasir El-Rufai allegation that some ‘elements’ in the Aso Rock are working to jeopardize the chances of Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
However, Buhari in his speech while addressing mammoth crowd at the presidential rally in Lafia, described Tinubu as a committed Nigerian, and expressed optimism that he would give his all for the betterment of the country.
While endorsing the candidature of Tinubu, his running mate, Kashim Shettima, and the second-term bid of Governor Abdullah I Duke of Nasarawa State, the President said, he has known Tinubu for more than 20years.
“I thanked party supporters for defying the hot weather and standing in the sun for hours to express their support for the party’s flag bearers in the forthcoming presidential and gubernatorial elections”, he said.
Buhari In his words, ‘‘I congratulate and assure you that God willing we are going to win through and through. As Tinubu said in his speech, I have known him for more than 20 years, and I will continue to campaign for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is a committed Nigerian and I believe he will give all his best to Nigeria.
‘‘Also vote for Abdullahi Sule for a second and final term as governor’’ he said.
The APC presidential candidate thanked the President for being the ‘‘poster boy’’ of his campaign, fighting and working hard for the survival of Nigeria.
His words, ‘‘Nigeria is surviving as a nation. Because of constitutional democracy we would have asked you to continue, but you said no, you are going back to Daura, your hometown’’.
Tinubu also used the occasion to chide those insinuating that he is having a frosty relationship with the President, saying: ‘‘Those who think there are cracks in our friendship and relationship would continue to be disappointed and have their short-term joy limited. Ours is not about the individual but about nation building, honesty, integrity and character”.
The APC presidential candidate, who compared President Buhari to great and courageous leaders like Abraham Lincoln, praised him for remaining focused in the midst of distractions.
He promised that under his administration, Nigeria will recover from all challenges because of the courage and resilience of its citizens.
Tinubu added that his government would prioritize agriculture, build the nation’s mineral resources and create wealth for Nigerians.
‘‘We will work hard. We promise you that your children and grandchildren will have no regret about this nation and ourselves,’’ he said.
