The Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan has given reasons why he contested against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinibu for the All Progressives Congress (APC) sole presidential ticket.
In a letter he addressed to Mr Tinubu, who emerged the eventual winner of the contest, Dr Lawan said he did so in the belief that he has the knowledge base, ideas, experience and desire to provide leadership for the country at these most trying times.
The Yobe State-born politician further stated that the outcome of the election process has however shown that Mr Tinubu is the popular choice of the party for the 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 do not doubt that with your credentials, experience, antecedents and political sagacity, our great party will go into the 2023 contest confident of victory.”
The Senate President however said as a loyal party member, he remains committed to the party at all times and will always be available to work for its success.
In the election which concluded yesterday, the former governor of Lagos State, Tinubu emerged as the candidate of the ruling APC. The self-styled national leader of the party pulled 1, 271 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the immediate past Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaewho pulled a total of 316 votes.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo came a distant third with a total vote of 235.
Detailed reports of the performance of each of the 16 contestants show that Pastor Tunde Bakare of Citadel Global Community Church, former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, Tien Jack Rich and Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, General Sani Abacha’s Minister of Information and Culture, all scored zero votes, while the former junior minister of Education Chief Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, though absent at the special convention scored one vote.