The victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the just-concluded presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will further promote the cause and course of unity in the party and in Nigeria.
Senator Kola Balogun said this in a congratulatory message to Senator Tinubu, who, on Wednesday, emerged as the candidate of the ruling party for the 2023 presidential election.
He also described him as a leader with a large and accommodating heart who, over the years, built a cult-like followership across the country, a factor which he said accounted for his victory at the APC presidential primary.
Senator Balogun, in a press release by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Dapo Falade, said Senator Tinubu has the capacity to further unite the party and work for its victory in the general election.
The senator, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC, described Senator Tinubu as a dogged fighter who, against all odds, emerged as the party’s flag-bearer for the 2023 elections.
He said the APC presidential candidate is a very strong force to reckon with, adding that he will galvanise his large followership and support to ensure victory for the party in the 2023 elections.
Balogun said Senator Tinubu also demonstrated his large-heartedness and sense of unity in the party by paying a visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his official residence in Abuja on Thursday evening.
“For all intents and purposes, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a dogged fighter who emerged victorious at the 2022 Special Convention and Presidential Primary of our great party, the APC.
“The victory of the APC leader did not come as a surprise. Rather, it is well-deserved after having worked over the years to build and sustain the party.
“The emergence of Senator Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate will further unite party members and is also a great booster for the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
“He is a builder of men whose groundswell of loyal, committed and dedicated supporters cuts across all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“Senator Tinubu, as a uniting factor, can be seen from the outcome of the APC presidential primary. He garnered the votes of delegates from across the six geopolitical zones to emerge as the APC presidential flag-bearer.
“This uniting factor was further demonstrated by many of the APC presidential aspirants who sacrificed their personal ambitions to further the greater cause of the party.
“These influential APC chieftains, who are leaders in their own right, in the spirit of unity and in promoting the interest of the party, dropped their ambitions and declared their support for Senator Tinubu,” he said.
Senator Balogun also said the visit of Senator Tinubu to Vice President Osinbajo is significant, noting that it will strengthen the cord of unity in the party.
“Contrary to speculations, and against all expectations, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo sent a congratulatory message to Senator Bola Tinubu, and the APC presidential candidate reciprocated by visiting him.
“The actions of the two leaders put paid to speculations over a hostile relationship between them. It will also promote unity, an important catalyst for us in our quest to ensure victory for the APC in the 2023 elections,” Senator Kola Balogun added.
