A national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged the presidential candidate of the party.
By implication, Tinubu’s main challenger in next year’s presidential election would be the candidate of the country’s main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The former Lagos governor said it was time the APC banished the PDP whom he accused of constantly dragging the nation back.
Tinubu who emerged at the end of the APC Special Convention and Presidential Primary Election Wednesday in Abuja polled 1, 271 votes to defeat his closest rival, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who garnered 316 votes.
Details of votes polled by other aspirants are;
Gov. Dave Umahi – 38, Pastor Tunde Bakare – 0, Senator Ahmad Rufai Sani (Yarima) – 04, Senator Rochas Okorocha -0, Gov. Yahaya Bello – 47, Tein Jack-Rich – 0, Dr Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu – 01, Gov. Ben Ayade – 37 and Chief Mokelu Ikeobasi – 0.
Chairman of the Election Management Committee, Gov. Abubakar Atiku who was the Chief Returning Officer for the election returned Tinubu as validly elected to fly the party’s presidential flag in next year’s general election.
Tinubu’s acceptance speech
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu who was highly elated said “today is another historic day and it is thanks to God almighty that you are living healthy to witness it, to be part of it, to be your calling, to be your arrangement.
“We all, not only as a party, it has gone beyond partisan idea now. It is yours as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You put it together and you have even gracious and humble from the beginning. We are very grateful to you.
The vice president, a very good and supportive pillar, a good assistant to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo GCON, we thank you for this steady and good support to our president.
“To you, the legislature, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, I would have been a little upset because you competed with me but that is over now since you can easily lick your wounds. It doesn’t take away from thanking you from the past cooperation and cool-headedness to build our country. You have helped in steering the ship of the nation and with your colleagues in the Senate, history is written and will be kind to you.
