By Francesca Iwambe, Agboola Oladimeji, Mabeline Amara and Ibrahim Musa
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, State Governors, the former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other prominent Nigerians have congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for winning the APC ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In his own comment, Gbajabiamila described Tinubu as a dogged democrat who has the quality to lead APC to victory next year.
The Speaker also said in his congratulatory message that Tinubu’s victory was “well-deserved.”
He said: “I congratulate my mentor for this victory. This is a victory for democracy and Nigerians as a whole. With the manner he went about his campaigns, Asiwaju has proved to be a hero of our democracy.
“From day one, he stood his ground that the APC must organise a free, fair and transparent presidential primary if it wanted to remain the party to beat. He advocated that and remained steadfast. This will make the party come out peaceful and victorious in the end.
The State Governors: Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe); Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger) and NNPP presidential ticket holder Rabiu Kwakwanso, also commended Tinubu for emerging as the winner of the APC presidential primary.
Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel; Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmad Wase and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) also praised Tinubu for his victory at the primary election.
In his own congratulatory message through his verified Twitter handle, Atiku praised Tinubu for his courage and described the APC primary as “a hard-fought contest.”
He tweeted thus: “Congratulations, @officialABAT, on your emergence as your party’s presidential candidate.
“It has been a hard-fought contest, but that you prevailed confirms your tenacity.”
For Deputy Senate President , Ovie Omo-Agege, expressed optimism that Tinubu would emerge victorious in next year’s presidential election.
Calling on Tinubu to be magnanimous in victory, Omo-Agege stressed the need for all those who lost to join hands with Tinubu and the APC in ensuring victory next year.
He said: ”With the transparent process that saw the emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu as our party standard bearer, I am confident more than ever before that this is the beginning of even greater tidings for our party.”
Asiwaju, a long distance runner-Fayemi
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said that Tinubu’s emergence represented the collective wish of the vast majority of APC members.
He also said that Tinubu “has proven his dedication and competence to lead the country at such an important time in history.”
Fayemi, who stepped down as an aspirant and endorsed Tinubu at the convention, described the APC candidate as a “long distance runner,”, who has the capacity to lead the country to greater heights.
He said: “It is a great moment for our party. I congratulate Asiwaju Tinubu for the well-deserved victory and the leadership of the party as well as the convention committee members for a great job.
“Collectively, we shall move from this convention venue with greater determination to strengthen the party and work assiduously for the success of the party in the 2023 elections.”
Fayemi, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for “superintending over a free, fair, and credible process as national leader of the party.”
He congratulated the APC leadership and the convention planning committee for the successful conduct of the exercise.
Tinubu will calm frayed nerves -Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who praised Tinubu for emerging victorious, said he was happy that the APC displayed a total commitment to the ethos of democracy and embraced the path of fairness and equity.
Akeredolu advised Tinubu to unite all contending forces to enable the APC to retain power next year.
He described the contest as a “brotherly scramble.”
He said: ”The aspirants and leaders of our great party must now leverage on our political strength to build the party and reposition it for even greater victory.
“We must identify and underscore our challenges for the greater good of the people. The time for striving is beneath us. As the dust settles, we must form a common front and understand that victory at the general election is our collective target.
“It is time to justify our zeal and passion for the party. The instruments of the party must be fully deployed for the rescue mission of the nation. Let us expend our strength and reach to replete the party with brighter prospects. Ours is to plough not to plunder.
“Our struggle for the service of the people must reflect in our support and incurable commitment to unity geared towards the good of the people and the country at large.
Oyetola: Tinubu is leader of leaders
Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has described Tinubu’s emergence as a victory for democracy and a demonstration of his influence and acceptability, not only within the APC but across the country.
He expressed confidence in the capacity and competence of Tinubu to deliver victory for the APC next year.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola said that Tinubu would deploy his administrative acumen to take the country to enviable heights.
The statement reads in part: “Your emergence is indeed a reward of your tireless efforts and selfless services to Nigeria and Nigerians and of course, humanity as a whole.
“You are not just a leader of leaders but the finest politician who had used his God-given wisdom and wealth to build humanity and advance the socio-economic fortunes of our dear country.
“It is on record that your phenomenal leadership and enigmatic fortress had in no measure contributed significantly to the growth and development of Lagos State where you served as a two-term Governor and of course Nigeria as it is evident in your influence across the nooks and crannies of the country.
“With your antecedents coupled with your outstanding credentials in both private and public sectors, I have no doubt in my mind that your emergence will deliver victory for our party in all elections as this will further justify the quest to elect a candidate with unimaginable qualities that cut across spheres of life”,
Tinubu’s candidacy good for Nigeria – Dapo Abiodun
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said that the emergence of Tinubu was a good omen for the APC and the country.
Abiodun also said that the victory shows that Tinubu “is widely beloved and accepted within the country’s entire political spectrum, and shows his level of deep interactions and acceptance not only within the ruling APC but across Nigeria.”.
He said: “This victory indicates that Tinubu as a candidate is good for Nigeria, as it will foster unity, love and understanding amongst Nigerians. His electoral victory cut across all the six geopolitical zones; he had an impact in all the zones. He is the candidate to beat in the 2023 elections.
Ganduje: Tinubu is a bridge builder
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has said that the victory of Tinubu showed his acceptability in the North as a bridge builder.
The Chief Press Secretary to Kano Governor, Abba Anwar, also quoted Ganduje as saying that , ”Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s landslide victory in the just-concluded presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) shows his high degree of acceptability in the North, as a bridge builder.”
He expressed optimism that the election would make APC stronger as the 2023 general elections draw nearer.
The Kano Governor also praised his Northern counterparts for their unanimous decision to shift power to the South and also Buhari for accepting their proposal.
He said, “This patriotic decision will further cement all parts of the country. President Buhari’s role in making sure that democratic principles are safeguarded in the process is highly commendable and exemplary.”
Tinubu will lead APC to victory- AbdulRazaq
For Kwara Sate Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, the ballot represented a resounding vote of confidence by APC leaders and members in Tinubu’s capacity to lead the party to another victory.
He said: “It was a moment to speak to the direction the party must take to consolidate on its own wins, build on the many successes of President Muhammadu Buhari, and raise a dynamic successor team that is able to take up the challenges of nation-building and development in a peculiar age of changing metrics of governance and collective security. In antecedence, capacity, and reach, there is no doubt that Asiwaju ticks all the right boxes. With his emergence, our party is clearly destined for a big win in the next general elections.”
Yahaya: Jagaban, a strong piller
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has described Tinubu’s victory as a good omen and an expression of national unity.
He also said that the emergence of Tinubu was ”a manifestation of his years of personal commitment, sacrifice, tenancy, political experience and service to the nation.”
Describing Tinubu as an enigmatic leader and a strong pillar with immense influence, Yahaya said he had no doubt that he would give the ruling party a resounding victory next year
Governor Yahaya also expressed optimism that when eventually elected as president, Tinubu would bring to bear his “vast wealth of experience and network as a former governor, Senator and political leader to build on the successes of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.”
or the APC presidential candidate as the party approaches the next stage of electioneering ahead of 2023.
He’s a dogged fighter, says Daniel
In a related development, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has described Tinubu as a dogged fighter, who would go to any length to achieve his objectives
Daniel, the candidate of the Ogun East APC Senatorial District , said: ”The Bola Tinubu that I know is a strategic thinker, a great planner and a well-organised personality, which are the attributes that have worked for him not only in politics but also in his business and social relationships.
“In the last two decades Bola Tinubu’s political trajectory has shown that the sky may be the starting point for him, and this he has clearly demonstrated with the energy he puts behind his campaign and the eventual victory as the Presidential candidate of the APC which has proven bookmakers wrong in all ramifications.”
Keyamo praises Northern APC Govs for political sagacity
The Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), has praised Northern governors “for being the heroes of the convention”, saying that by agreeing to cede power to the South, the governors have demonstrated uncommon political sagacity
Osinbajo’s top campaigner congratulates Tinubu
The Yemi Osinbajo Campaign Organisation’s top campaigner, Mr Richard Akinnola, has congratulated Tinubu on his victory” at the APC presidential primary.
In his Facebook page on Wednesday morning, Akinnola said though it appeared Tinubu would emerge victorious at the end of the exercise, he was proud of his support for Osinbajo.
He wrote, “Congratulations, Asiwaju Tinubu, the presumed winner of the primaries. In any contest, there must be a winner. However, I’m very proud of my choice of support in the person of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
“I have no iota of regret over my support for him. It was a privilege to play a pivotal role for him during the process.
“I would gladly do it over and over again. It’s a matter of conviction. And for all our supporters and other volunteers who worked assiduously, day and night on the PYO project, God bless you all.
I’m so proud of all of you. As l often say, God rules in the affairs of men and He has a purpose for what just happened.
Understandably, many of you are dispirited and downcast but do not let your heart be troubled. There must be a reason God allowed this.
“It may not be manifest to us now but later as He is all-knowing. I’m unfazed, unbowed and VERY PROUD of PYO. Our supporters, abeg, make una shake it off. No be say person die Life goes on. No yawa.”
