President Muhammadu Buhari and the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu have sought the support and blessings of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III to enable the ruling party win the forthcoming general election.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu said this on Thursday.
According to the statement, Tinubu, who spoke first, told the Sultan: “I have come to be presented to you as candidate. The President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari is here in person to do that. I want to win the election. Is there a way you will decline the request of the President?”
Echoing the same line, President Buhari said, “my wish is for your support and blessings; we want to win.”
Recounting the APC presidential candidate’s qualities, Buhari highlighted their common belief and commitment to the unity and progress of every section of the country.
Read Also: Police arrest, arraign woman caught on video selling PVC in Enugu
He said he had associated with Tinubu for more than 20 years and did not have any reservations in supporting him as the candidate of the APC.
The President said Tinubu’s greatest strength was in his effective governance of Lagos, the country’s former capital, a business hub and home to diverse individuals from all over Nigeria for two terms; his commitment to democracy; as well as his role at the centre as a senator.
He said his message to Nigerians is that they should trust Tinubu with power to succeed him because the APC candidate, supported by his running mate, Kashim Shettima, will build on the successes of his administration.
Responding, the Sultan declared that being an apolitical father of all and custodian of culture, he would continue to receive everyone that sought the blessing of the throne, telling President Buhari that many had come before him for the same purpose while many more would still come.
“We will continue to pray for our nation. We cannot be tired of praying and will continue to advocate for peaceful and free elections in our fatherland,” the revered monarch said.
He assured President Buhari that the caliphate was behind him as he sought to ensure free and fair elections, noting that the President’s commitment to be present at the next signing of the Peace Accord by the political parties underscored his administration’s desire to bequeath to the nation a credible electoral process.
Speaking before a mammoth crowd at the Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto, the venue of the APC’s Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign rally, President Buhari noted that Tinubu was elected as the party’s presidential candidate in a free, fair and democratic primary, hence it was incumbent on all members to work towards the success of the party in the forthcoming elections across the state and at all levels.
He remarked that Tinubu and Shettima were men who understand the problems of Nigeria, having been in politics as two-time governors in their respective states and would proffer solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria.
Also present at the rally were the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the party leader who got a great deal of attention at the rally, as well as other party stalwarts.