Notwithstanding being taunted in his victory speech, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who trounced other to emerge winner of the APC’s presidential primary election on Wednesday. Senator Lawan, also an aspirant in the election, said the primary was fair, free and credible.
Tinubu polled 1,271 of the total votes cast to coast home to victory. During his victory speech, Tinubu taunted the Senate President saying he was surprised that Lawan could compete with him.
He had stated: “To you, the legislature; Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, I would have been a little upset because you competed with me. But that is over now since you can easily lick your wounds. It doesn’t take away from liking you for the past cooperation and collaboration and cool-headedness you bring to our country.”
In a congratulatory message he personally signed, the Senate President’s said he is elated and proud that the primary was manifestly free and fair.
The full speech reads:
“The Presidential Primary of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the 2023 General Election has come and gone.
“I am elated and proud that the Presidential primary was manifestly free and fair, and conducted within our APC Family under a most convivial atmosphere.
“The success of the event again demonstrates the capacity of our great party to run its internal affairs smoothly and devoid of rancour.
“As Your Excellency is aware, I offered myself alongside your good self and other patriotic members of the party to fly its highly coveted flag in the 2023 presidential election.
“I did so in the belief that I have the knowledge base, ideas, experience and desire to provide leadership for our dear country at these most trying times.
“However, the outcome of the election process has shown that Your Excellency is the popular choice of our party for that assignment.
“I do not have an iota of doubt in the wisdom of that decision by our Party’s delegates from across the country.
“Your glittering track record of public service, foresight and grit in party building and administration, as well as the courage you continue to demonstrate in fighting for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria make you worthy of the high esteem and trust of our party members everywhere in Nigeria as exhibited at the National Convention.
“It is on this note that I heartily congratulate you on your well-deserved victory at the primary.
“I have no doubt that with your credentials, experience, antecedents and political sagacity, our great party will go into the 2023 contest confident of victory.
“As a loyal party member, I remain committed to the party at all times and will always be available to work for its success.
“Once again, I congratulate Your Excellency on your well-deserved nomination as the standard-bearer of our party and, insha Allah, next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
