Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, lauded former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill, for stepping down for him and directing his delegates to cast their votes for him at the just-concluded Special Convention/Presidential Primary of the party, which was held at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Tinubu, while delivering his acceptance speech on Wednesday at Eagle Square, Abuja, shortly after he was returned as the duly elected candidate, pointed out the former governor of Akwa Ibom State for special thanks, saying, “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 Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
It is recalled that Senator Akpabio, who was a leading contender for the Presidential ticket of the ruling party, publicly stepped down from the race and directed his delegates across the country to cast their votes for the former Governor of Lagos State, whom he described as a man of vision and mission for Nigeria.
According to the former Senate Minority Leader, “I am ably qualified to be your President. But I have stepped down for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Unite Nigeria, vote for Tinubu,” he said.
He further explained that he decided to step down as the APC chieftain in the interest of the party and to ensure that the nation remained united, with the return of power to the southern part of the country.
The acceptance speech reads in part:
“We have been at historic Eagle Square for many hours; that day has turned into night and night back into day. Because of your democratic exertion, this convention shall be recorded as a shining moment in the evolution of our party and the life of our nation.
“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 organisers 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 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 resilience.”
