President Muhammadu Buhari
2023: Buhari defends Tinubu/Shettima ticket, says process ‘purely democratic’
President Muhammdu Buhari has said that the process which led to the emergence of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was ‘purely democratic.’
President Buhari also said it was a reflection of the will of party members.
Making the clarification while on a homage to the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, Saturday in Katsina State, President Buhari insisted that ‘there was no need for interference, knowing the competence of all the aspirants.’
“When the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC signaled parties to elect their presidential candidates, we had 30 aspirants, mostly Ministers in my cabinet and governors.
“I told each of the aspirants to go and do their best. One particular Governor, in his wisdom, came to meet me and asked who they should vote for at the party convention, checking if I had a preferred candidate.
“There was no need for interference, knowing the competence of all the aspirants. They went and elected Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and he picked his running mate, Sen. Kashim Ibrahim, in the process of choosing our candidates for the 2023 elections. I am praying that we will have a peaceful and successful election,” Buhari said.
The President further thanked Nigerians for their support for the APC in 2015, and 2019.
“They say he who wants to serve should be ready for the responsibility of leadership. Three times I wanted this position and three times I ended up at the Supreme Court. For that reason, in terms of experience, I have gathered a lot. I visited 774 local councils in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015.
“I feel privileged that Nigerians elected me in 2015. Since then, we have been doing our best to tackle the challenges, with God helping us. We are not alone. If only we know what other countries in Africa are passing through, we will be grateful to God, and protect our country. Other African countries are passing through a lot.
“As leaders, we are doing our best and will keep doing our best to improve the situation. I am praying that the Almighty God will give us more strength and wisdom to protect our people, and fulfill our promises of ensuring wellbeing.”
The President said his administration would keep doing its best to address the concerns on security, which the Emir of Katsina and State Governor Aminu Masari highlighted in their remarks.
“I have heard all that the Governor and emir have to say on what people expect from government. I will not add anything. I am the one receiving the orders. I will continue to do my best,’’ he said.
Before departing Katsina for Abuja, Buhari donated four bulls, two to the Army and two to the Air Force officers, bags of rice, and money for the Sallah celebration to those fighting banditry and terrorism in the state.
