Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket for next year’s general elections.
Gbajabiamila expressed delight that his political mentor, Bola Tinubu, had won the APC ticket, which he described as well-deserved given Tinubu’s years of work to entrench and strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
The Speaker stated that with Tinubu’s victory, the APC has a good chance of retaining power in 2023, noting that Nigerians across the board recognize his contributions to the development of our country.
Gbajabiamila, who described Tinubu as a tenacious fighter who stood firm in order to compete in the presidential primary in a democratic manner, said Tinubu remains a hero.
“I congratulate my mentor for this victory. This is a victory for democracy and Nigerians as a whole. With the manner he went about his campaigns, Asiwaju has proved to be a hero of our democracy.
“From day one, he stood his ground that the APC must organize a free, fair and transparent presidential primary if it wanted to remain the party to beat. He advocated that and remained steadfast. This will make the party come out peaceful and victorious in the end.
“I commend the Asiwaju’s doggedness, determination, resilience and tenacity in pursuing his ambition without indulging in any activity that would affect other aspirants and the image of the party.
“This is a victory for APC, a victory for its members and indeed a victory for Nigeria and its democracy,” Gbajabiamila said.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Gbajabiamila urged Tinubu to be magnanimous in victory, as he has been, and to rally other aspirants to the party’s victory in the general elections.
He also urged other candidates in the recently concluded primary to band together and support the party’s presidential candidate.
He praised the candidates for their behavior before, during, and after the APC presidential primary.
Gbajabiamila also praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s leadership for creating a level playing field for all aspirants to present themselves to the party’s delegates for the election.
