Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary winner and the party’s flagbearer for the 2023 presidential poll, Bola Tinubu.
In a statement he issued today, Osinbajo said that Tinubu had for many decades shown passion, patriotism, courage and determination in the cause of nation-building.
He stated, “His sterling contributions to our democracy and its progress stand him out. His wealth of experience will certainly be critical in our party’s continued efforts to attain a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.”
Osinbajo, who lost to Tinubu at the primary, pledged to join other party members to ensure his victory in the coming poll.
He also felicitated President Muhammadu Buhari and all the APC leaders for the success of the party’s convention and presidential primary, which ended in Abuja yesterday.
“To all members of our great party, regardless of who you voted for at the primaries, we must now unite behind our presidential candidate and flagbearer to ensure victory for our party in the 2023 elections.
“As true progressives, we must remain strong and united in pursuing our collective vision as a party toward building a country that can provide a decent life and livelihoods for all our people,” he said.
Apart from Osinbajo, 12 other aspirants contested and lost to Tinubu, who won overwhelmingly at the primary.
Seven aspirants stepped down for the former Lagos State governor, including Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Bagudu and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Senators Godswill Akpabio, Ibikunle Amosun and former Speaker Dimeji Bankole were among the aspirants who pulled out and backed the party’s flagbearer.
Much hailed as Tinubu’s political son, Osinbajo refused to step down for the former Lagos State governor as others from the South-West did, excluding Pastor Tunde Bakare.
Tinubu, a former senator and the APC national leader, polled 1,271 votes at the party’s primary, followed by a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who garnered 316 votes, while Osinbajo scored 235 votes.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org