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Wins landslide with 1,271 votes against Osinbajo’s 235, Amaechi’s 316
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Former Lagos Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday defeated the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, with a very wide margin to secure the tickets of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential election.
The election which started Tuesday evening, lasted through the night to Wednesday afternoon, after which Tinubu won the primary elections by 1,271 votes. He defeated his closest rivals, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who scored 316 and 235 respectively.
Senate President, Ahmed Lawan scored 152 votes; Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello got 47 votes; David Umahi, 38 votes; Ben Ayade, 37; Ahmed Yerima, 4, while former Science and Technology Minister, Ogbonnaya Onu and former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba got one vote each.
Pastor Tunde Bakere, Senator, Rochas Okorocha, businessman, Tien Jack-Rich and former Information Minister, Ikeobasi Mokelu got 0 votes respectively.
Recall that shortly after the commencement of the election process Tuesday night, seven Presidential aspirants, including: Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, senator Godswill Akpabio, Uju Ohanenye, senator Ajayi Boroface, Dimeju Bankole, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, surprisingly stepped down for Tinubu, while Pastor Nickolas Felix, stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Speaking after he was declared victorious, Tinubu said the convention shall be recorded as a shining moment in the evolution of APC and the life of Nigeria.
“I must thank you all for making me the standard bearer of our progressive party. And I humbly accept the nomination of this convention to be the presidential candidate of our enlightened, humanitarian and great party, the All Progressives Congress.
“I also offer my sincere gratitude to President Buhari for his calm and prudent leadership throughout this process. I thank him, also, for his steadfast determination to ensure a level playing field and a free and fair primary process for every aspirant. Without him, I would not be standing here today as the new flagbearer of Nigeria’s party.
“I thank the governors for their invaluable contribution to internal democracy and unity. I commend the party leadership and organizers for the conduct of a successful convention.
“Thank you, the delegates, for the confidence you have shown in me. I will prove that your choice was a wise one. You have moved our party and country towards its best future. On your mandate I shall stand.
“I commend my fellow aspirants. It is a difficult thing to run for president. The stiff and bold competition you offered made our party stronger and made me better. I must say a special word of thanks to the seven aspirants [Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; Sen.; Ibikunle Amosun; Sen. Ajayi Borrofice; Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole; Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Barr.(Mrs.) Uju Kennedy] who chose to step down their personal ambitions for the good of the party and the unity of our purpose.
“The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges or grievances. Let us each agree to join hands in defeating the PDP and beating back our common foes of poverty, terror and violence. We now have a date with destiny in February 2023. Let us win so Nigeria can become the nation it is intended to be.
“To my campaign team and close advisors. Your dedication, long hours, and sound advice have brought me to this point. I thank my beautiful wife, Oluremi, for her patience and wise counsel. Thank you for standing by my side. I am indeed a fortunate man.
“Now, permit me to address the nation. Yes, we face serious problems. But I believe that we have it within us to reach our finest destiny. With help from God, we shall make this nation better for the generations to come.
“President Muhamamdu Buhari has already laid a solid foundation in security, economy, and anti-corruption. We will build upon this for the salvation of our people.
“So, I ask you: Do we dare reform our national economy such that prosperity grows as poverty vanishes?
“Yes, we dare. Do we dare provide meaningful education and jobs for our youths so that they may strive for a better future?
“Yes, we dare. Our teeming youth population is our nation’s greatest asset. We will create jobs for our youth from the Zamfara and Osun gold deposits to the vast agricultural lands across the country. We will create new ooportunities in the FINTECH sector, the creative and entertainment industries, digital skills and other areas.
“Do we dare feed our nation and provide the farmer a solid income for his toil? Yes, we dare. Do we dare construct a society where the vulnerable, the weak, the disadvantaged and the elderly are attended to and loved?
“Yes, for we must care for those who cannot care for themselves. Do we dare muster our collective strength to conquer terrorism, kidnapping, and violent evil of any form?
“Yes, we dare. After the PDP convention, I commended Abubakar Atiku. The ensuing contest between our party and his will be one of competing visions. Our vision is of progress and the future that can be. We must defeat the PDP’s reactionary ideals.
“Our better, more progressive vision of Nigeria shall secure a better society for all Nigerians. May this be our task arising from this convention. Let nothing stand in the way of our achieving a more just society and a greater Nigeria”, he said.
In his brief remarks, the chairman of the APC Convention Planning Committee and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, commended the Committee members and party faithful for their patience, saying the election process was free and transparent.
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