…why I pushed on despite gang-up before primary – Asiwaju
Thousands of APC supporters and leaders on Sunday, stormed the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, to welcome Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, is returning to his home state for the first time, after he clinched the APC presidential ticket.
NAN recalls that Tinubu defeated 13 other aspirants, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to clinch the APC ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
Tinubu, one of the national leaders of the ruling party, polled 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi who got 316 votes at the party’ s Special National Convention held from June 6 to 8 in Abuja.
Meanwhile thousands of APC loyalists trooped out and gathered in various groups in and around the airport to receive their leader.
Some of the personalities waiting to receive the former governor at the airport were Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, APC Lagos state party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, former Minister of Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, party leaders, local government area chairmen across the state and traditional rulers among others
Traditional singers and dancers were at the airport entertaining the people while awaiting for Tinubu.
The supporters were seen displaying unique cultural heritage of Lagos such as Eyo Masquerade and other masquerades among others.
Meanwhile, Tinubu had after winning the presidential ticket, paid visits to most of the aspirants who contested against him at the primary election to solicit their support in his quest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Some aspirants had donated their campaign offices for the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT) campaign in the course of visiting them to ensure that the party remained united after the primaries.
Tinubu will be slugging it out in 2023 with other presidential candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party -Ex Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) -Sen. Rabiu Kwakwanso among others.
Meanwhile, Tinubu, has disclosed that his victory at the party’s special convention and presidential primary did not come easy, noting that he fought a hard battle to clinch the ticket.
Tinubu stated this on Sunday when he returned to Lagos State for the first time after clinching the APC presidential ticket during the primary held early this month in Abuja.
The welcome party moved to the palace of Oba of Lagos, Alayeluwa Rilwan Akiolu, where the APC National Leader received royal blessings.
At the palace, Tinubu said despite the seeming gang up against his person, he stood his ground, poured out his mind and fought to win the presidential ticket.
“There is no Lagos indigene that has had the opportunity to become President of the Nigeria, despite the contribution of the State to the national stability and progress. The highest position attained by any Lagosian in national leadership is the position of Chief Judge of the Federation.
“I took up the fight to break this jinx. The battle to secure the APC ticket was hard. When I was almost fed up, I resorted to prayers. I also poured out my mind when I felt there was a gang up against my person. Thank God that I have brought home the presidential ticket.
“The task ahead is to galvanise our people to get their voter cards and vote to enable us realise this ambition. Getting our people to vote is the most important task before all of us. We need to take this message to our people across communities and sensitise them on the need to vote in the general elections,” Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement by Sanwo-Olu’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.
On his part, Akiolu, who described Tinubu as his “stubborn son”, said it was time for political leaders in Southwest region to close ranks and work for the victory of Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election.
He added that the massive support received by the APC National Leader across the country must be complemented by politicians in the region.
The monarch said: “Your emergence as presidential candidate of your party is the beginning of another journey in your political career. All Yoruba ancestors shall be with you on this journey to make our fatherland a better place.”
Tinubu left the palace to his house on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, where the APC Governors, led by chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu, were waiting to receive him.
Other dignitaries who received Tinubu at his Bourdillon home included Jigawa State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and former Governor Gbenga Daniel, among others.
