• Says Osinbajo, others, have nothing to fear

The 2023 Presidential flagbearer on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has admitted that he was not expecting to win the presidential primaries if not for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former Lagos State Governor while delivering his acceptance speech after he defeated 13 other aspirants in the contest thanked Buhari for providing a level play field for the contest.

He said he wouldn’t have been on the podium if not for the President, saying ‘I must be intoxicated in victory.’

“I also offer my sincere gratitude to President Buhari for his calm and prudent leadership throughout this process. I thank him, also, for his steadfast determination to ensure a level playing field and a free and fair primary process for every aspirant.

“Without him, I would not be standing here today as the new flagbearer of Nigeria’s party.”

You have nothing to fear, I hold no grudge – Tinubu tells Osinbajo, others

While thanking seven aspirants who withdrawn their spirations for him, Tinubu told others who contested with him that they have nothing to fear as he holds no grudge against them.

Tinubu said those who withdrawn for him did not denigrate themselves but trusted his brain as a talker and doer.

He called on other spirants to join hands with him to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party in the general election describing the Party as agent of poverty and terror.

“I commend my fellow aspirants. It is a difficult thing to run for president. The stiff and bold competition you offered made our party stronger and made me better.

“I must say a special word of thanks to the seven aspirants; Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Sen. Ajayi Borrofice, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Barr.(Mrs.) Uju Kennedy, who chose to step down their personal ambitions for the good of the party and the unity of our purpose.

“The competition is now over. “Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges or grievances.

“Let us each agree to join hands in defeating the PDP and beating back our common foes of poverty, terror and violence. We now have a date with destiny in February 2023. Let us win so Nigeria can become the nation it is intended to be.”

Address to the Nation

He however addressed the nation saying, “Yes, we face serious problems. But I believe that we have it within us to reach our finest destiny. With help from God, we shall make this nation better for the generations to come.

“President Muhamamdu Buhari has already laid a solid foundation in security, economy, and anti-corruption. We will build upon this for the salvation of our people.

“So, I ask you, do we dare reform our national economy such that prosperity grows as poverty vanishes? Yes, we dare.

“Do we dare provide meaningful education and jobs for our youths so that they may strive for a better future? Yes, we dare. Our teeming youth population is our nation’s greatest asset. We will create jobs for our youth from the Zamfara and Osun gold deposits to the vast agricultural lands across the country.

“We will create new opportunities in the FINTECH sector, the creative and entertainment industries, digital skills and other areas.

“Do we dare feed our nation and provide the farmer a solid income for his toil? Yes, we dare.

“Do we dare construct a society where the vulnerable, the weak, the disadvantaged and the elderly are attended to and loved? Yes, for we must care for those who cannot care for themselves.

“Do we dare muster our collective strength to conquer terrorism, kidnapping, and violent evil of any form? Yes, we dare.

“After the PDP convention, I commended Abubakar Atiku. The ensuing contest between our party and his will be one of competing visions.

“Our vision is of progress and the future that can be. We must defeat the PDP’s reactionary ideals. Our better, more progressive vision of Nigeria shall secure a better society for all Nigerians.

“May this be our task arising from this convention. Let nothing stand in the way of our achieving a more just society and a greater Nigeria.”