The foremost presidential aspirant in the country and National leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that the party would remain united and stronger after its presidential primaries later this month.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state further said that the increasing number of people seeking to get the party’s presidential ticket is good for democracy.
The Statesman expressed this view earlier this week after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu, The Liberation News gathered met with President Buhari at his official residence in the Villa, to pay him the traditional Sallah homage.
While fielding questions from State House Correspondents on the threat posed by multiplicity of presidential aspirants in the ruling party, he said the party would remain strong and united after its presidential primaries, pointing out that President Buhari had reaffirmed to him that he is in support of a transparent democratic process.
In his words: “We are sure that we will remain united. You know our symbol is the broom, you don’t break it as you go. Nigeria requires commitment, a uniform system, and a stable country and that is the only way we can be very proud of Nigeria.
“The President has shown a great example of leadership, gave us the freedom to say you want to run, you want to attempt, go ahead. He is a democrat and if we are running a constitutional democracy, you don’t hinder the desire, the wish of other people.”
When asked to comment on the increasing number of aspirants on the platform of his party, the APC, Tinubu said it was in the best interest of the country, adding that it showed that leaders were not abandoning the country.
He also said: “The more, the merrier. The more they come, the more challenging it becomes for you to think deeply, focus on issues and be ready to serve Nigeria. It’s all about service, it’s nothing else. Think wisely, get committed to your thinking to serve the nation and bring progress and prosperity to the lives of Nigerians.
“It is good for the country for so many of us to aspire to want to lead. We’re not abandoning our nation. But there’s only one chair and one possibility. We will do that.”
The foremost presidential aspirant and statesman also seized the opportunity to congratulate President Buhari for the peaceful conduct of the last Eid-el-Fitr celebrations across Nigeria, as well as his genuine efforts at confronting the challenges bedeviling the country.
According to him, “President has shown a great example of leadership. He’s been very honest and forthright with Nigerians. Yes, we’ll continue to be challenged within this short period of time, but it’s left for us, the followers, to help, to be ready, to persevere and give hope to the populace and yes, we can do it. We will do it.”
