Former Lagos State governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu has won the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election.
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| Former Lagos State governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
Tinubu won the ticket at the APC presidential primary election at Eagles Square, Abuja on Wednesday.
The former Lagos State governor polled 1271 votes in total to clinch the ticket ahead of former minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi, vice president Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Amaechi was the closest to Tinubu with 316 votes. Osinbajo, who many thought would give Tinubu a tough run, came third with 235 votes while Lawan polled 152 votes.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had 47 votes followed by Cross Rivers State governor Ben Ayade who polled 37 votes. Former minister of science and technology Ogbonnaya Onu had one vote.
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi polled 38 votes. Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima polled four votes, former minister of state for education Emeka Nwajiuba polled one vote while Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church, former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, Tein Jack-Rich and Ike-Obasi Mokelu had no votes.
Before the election commenced, Tinubu was endorsed by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former governors of Ogun; Ibikunle Amosun, Akwa Ibom; Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole and the only female aspirant Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.
"I have the expertise," Tinubu said in his speech before the voting started.
"My record of corporate leadership, my financial expertise and my experience as an executive governor make me unique omong the spirants, giving me the requisite skills to accelerate progressive reforms that will change the face of the national economy."
President Muhammadu while addressing party delegates on Tuesday night appealed to them.
President Muhammadu while addressing party delegates on Tuesday night appealed to them to vote for an aspirant that will help the APC retain power after the 2023 presidential election.
"Our choice of flag bearer must be formidable,"
Buhari said while appealing to elect a
candidate that commands the ability "to unify the country and capacity to address our critical
challenges."
Tinubu, who paid glowing tribute to President Buhari on his effort to reposition the country in the last seven years, stressed that he had the wherewithal to administer the country effectively.
"Though our tribe and tongue may differ, we must build a united country, premised on equity, fairness and justice. True reform and progress lie not in copying others but in identifying our own opportunities," Tinubu said.
"To lead Nigerians is a sacred trust, which I do not take lightly or seek selfishly. By giving me the party's mandate, I hereby make my solemn vow to make Nigeria the best home for its citizens."
2,340 delegates voted to choose their preferred presidential candidate.
In the lead-up to the exercise, 28 presidential hopefuls had picked the nomination and expression of interest forms, but five of them later pulled out.
Twenty-three aspirants later appeared before the APC presidential screening committee led by the party’s former chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
The run-up to the special convention had been marred by intrigues over the zoning of the presidential ticket and consensus candidacy.
While a consensus candidate was said to have emerged on Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari on his part said the delegates should be allowed to decide the party’s presidential flagbearer.
The northern APC governors also canvassed for the party’s candidate to come from the southern part of the country.
Seven Aspirants Stepped Down For Tinubu, One Withdrew For Osinbajo At the APC Primary
Akpabio, Amosun, Fayemi, Bankole, Badaru, Boroffice, all Stepped Down
I believe Nigeria needs a mother. But I am stepping down for Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Uju Ken-Ohanenye.
Vote for me to extend Buharism – Ikeobasi Mokelu
I didn’t come this far to chicken out. I am here to win. – Yahaya Bello
I am a development agent. This country needs me. – Tein Jack-Rich
I am stepping down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo – Nicholas Felix
I am not running for President to accumulate riches, but to save the lives of ordinary Nigerians. – Rochas Okorocha
I am the most experienced of all the candidates. If you vote for me, I will improve the economy. – Rotimi Amaechi
I am not here to step down for anyone. I am here to step up as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. – Tunde Bakare
The APC should have zoned the ticket to the South-East. Where is the justice? – Ogbonnaya Onu.
A presidential hopeful, Bola Tinubu, secured the support of some of his fellow aspirants to get the party’s ticket as six of them took turns to announce that they were stepping down for him.
“I present myself as a great intellect, with a background in academics. I am an old head on a young shoulder,” said Governor Ben Ayade.
“It is time for us to bring science and technology to the forefront of our social and economic policies,” said Senator Ajayi Boroffice.
“As president, I will introduce student loans so every child can have access to education,” said Senator Sani Yerima.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, says he is eminently qualified to be President having spent 23 years in the National Assembly.
APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu, says his success as Lagos State governor makes him the most qualified aspirant to succeed President Buhari in 2023.
Things are not falling apart in APC. Things are holding up. We are united and are speaking with one voice. – Abdullahi Adamu, APC National Chairman
APC is a party that will always be guided by the rule of law, says Hope Uzodimma, Chairman, Election Planning Committee, APC Convention
The APC presidential primary officially kicked off following the arrival of President Buhari at the Eagles Square.
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