President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said the process that led to the election of Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was purely democratic, and reflection of the will of party members.
The President, according to a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, stated this during Sallah homage to the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, in Katsina on Saturday.
The President said: “When the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signalled 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 Ahmed Tinubu, and he picked his running mate, Sen. Kashim Ibrahim.
”I am praying that we will have peaceful and successful elections,’’ he said.
Buhari, who thanked Nigerians for their support for the APC in 2015, and 2019, said he had a rich experience in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 presidential elections, travelling to all the 774 local councils in the country, and in 2019, visiting 36 states.
“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 fulfil our promises of ensuring their wellbeing,” he said.
According to the President, his administration will keep doing its best to address the concerns on security, which the Emir of Katsina and Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina, 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. (NAN)
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