*Wins Primaries With Over 10m Votes
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has vowed to strengthen national security and build a more prosperous and united Nigeria by deepening ongoing economic reforms and initiating more in his second term, if re-elected.
Tinubu stated this while accepting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket for next year’s general election at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, on Sunday, may 24, during the presentation of Certificate of Return, attended by Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of the Progressives (APC) Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, and other party chieftains.
The President thanked party leaders, governors, delegates and supporters across the country for their enduring confidence in his leadership.
Describing the primary election as another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying its peaceful conduct reflected the growing maturity of the country’s democracy and the internal democratic culture within the ruling party, he said: “Today we celebrate another proud moment in our democratic journey, a history not defined by any individual, but by our collective resolve to build a stable, prosperous and just nation.”
The President recalled how he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate in 2022 and subsequently won the 2023 presidential election, stating that his administration had since embarked on difficult, but necessary reforms aimed at repositioning the economy, adding: “I return as your incumbent President, humbled by your endurance, encouraged by your continued confidence and imbued with renewed passion for the task ahead.”
Tinubu, while acknowledging the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, assured that the reforms introduced by his administration were already yielding positive results.
He stated: “I know what it is to reform an economy that was in tatters. If you love sleep, I love sleep too. If you have lost weight, I think I have lost some too.
“But I remember that in 2022, I asked for this job, and you all supported me, so I must do it.”
He reiterated the need for national unity, urging Nigerians to resist forces seeking to divide the country along ethnic or religious lines, even as he assured his administration’s committed to tackling insecurity across the country, saying: “We will win the battle against banditry and terrorism. We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country.”
The President extended a hand of partnership to opposition parties and Nigerians with differing political views, calling for dialogue and national cooperation in building the country, noting: “We do not have to agree on everything, but democracy is sustained by diversity and a shared belief in the nation.”
Tinubu also restated his commitment to inclusive governance, pledging to build a government that listens to the people and prioritises their welfare.
The President secured a landslide victory in last Saturday’s primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with over 10 million votes in the country’s 8,809 wards, defeating his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo.
According to the results announced on Sunday by the returning officer, Anyim Pius Anyim, Tinubu polled a total of 10,999,162 votes, while Osifo garnered 16,503 votes.
Osifo failed to secure any vote in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Delta; Kogi; Ebonyi; Kwara; Borno; Kebbi; Enugu; Kaduna; Ondo; Yobe; Rivers; Akwa Ibom; Ekiti; Ogun; Sokoto; Taraba; Cross River; Gombe; Oyo; and Osun states.
In Delta, for instance, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori declared that all 407,646 votes cast in the state were won by Tinubu.
Osifo had emerged as the only challenger to the Tinubu after purchasing the APC’s N100million presidential nomination form.
