President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, predicted victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election when he declared that “God willing, you are going to win.”
The President stated this when he received the Vice Presidential (VP) Candidate of the APC, Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima had visited the president shortly after he was unveiled by the leadership of the party and the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said, the President was “very happy with the choice of the former Governor of Borno State as running mate”.
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According to the statement, “ The President struck a chord of humour on Wednesday at the State House while responding to a flowery speech by Kashim Shettima, the running mate and vice presidential candidate of the ( APC), saying, “I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss.
“I wish you the best. Your consistency at the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as Governor and finished well. You have kept in touch with your base.
“At every important occasion or event, you are maintaining support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable,“ he said.
“The President expressed strong optimism that the APC ticket will emerge victorious in 2023”, ahead of
In his remarks, the Vice Presidential Candidate thanked the President for his “empathy, support and positive role,” leading to his emergence as Running Mate to the APC Presidential Candidate.
He praised the President for having “a special place in your heart for Borno and Northeast,” adding, “I can cite 20-30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”
He mentioned the establishment of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, and the Independent Power Plant for Maiduguri by the NNPC, “after many years of darkness,” saying that “words cannot describe our appreciation of your support. We will remain eternally grateful.”
The former Governor of Borno State requested the President to appreciate his successor, Babagana Zulum who was in his company, along with the Minister of State, Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, for spurning “recurring mention” of him and pressure from his Governor colleagues to bid for the Vice Presidential ticket.
The candidate pledged to remain “loyal and devoted” to the President, promising that his Vice-Presidency will not be for the “trio of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all of Nigeria, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.
