APC TICKET: This is first time Lagosian has opportunity to be President of Nigeria – Tinubu

*Says, ‘When I was almost fed up, I resorted to prayers”

“There is no Lagos indigene that has had the opportunity to become President of Nigeria, despite the contribution of the state to the national stability and progress.”

Against the twist by some Nigerians, who tend to take the mindset of Nigerians from Godliness to strange ideological beliefs demonizing religion, Presidential Candidate of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has confessed testifying to the fact that his emergence at the June 6-8 national elective convention of the party could not have been possible without his resorting to seeking the help of Allah when the going got tough for him.

The DEFENDER recalls that Tinubu, on advice of some sincere clerics, had embarked on Umrah, the Lesser Hajj to the Holy Ka’abah and visit to the Holy Mosque of Holy Prophet Muhammad in Muhammad, peace be upon him, in Madinah where he supplicated submitting all his challenges to his Lord and that, when, he eventually helps him to the office, he should also be with him in delivering good governance to Nigeria.

He made this confession while recounting the struggle to emerge as the flagbearer of the ruling party,  on Sunday June 19, 2022 when he paid a visit to the Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu I, at his palace, to receive royal blessings shortly after he returned to the state from Abuja.

In what looked like cracking jokes but real, Tinubu told the white cap chiefs of the Eko Akete palace that “work still remains and that is the election that is coming” and urged them to support him by mobilising their subjects to vote for APC as President of Nigeria next year and also for candidate of the party as Governor of Lagos State.

“There is no Lagos indigene that has had the opportunity to become President of Nigeria, despite the contribution of the state to the national stability and progress,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by Mr Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

“The highest position attained by any Lagosian in national leadership is the position of Chief Judge of the Federation. I took up the fight to break this jinx. The battle to secure the APC ticket was hard. When I was almost fed up, I resorted to prayers. I also poured out my mind when I felt there was a gang up against my person. Thank God that I have brought home the presidential ticket.”

The APC presidential candidate added, “The task ahead is to galvanise our people to get their voter’s cards and vote to enable us realise this ambition.

“Getting our people to vote is the most important task before all of us. We need to take this message to our people across communities and sensitise them on the need to vote in the general elections.”

Akiolu, in his response, described Tinubu as his “stubborn son”, saying it was time for political leaders in South West to close ranks and work for the victory of Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election.

He stressed that the massive support received by the APC chieftain across the country must be complemented by politicians in the region.

“Your emergence as the presidential candidate of your party is the beginning of another journey in your political career,” the monarch said. “All Yoruba ancestors shall be with you on this journey to make our fatherland a better place.”

Tinubu left the palace to his house on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, where some APC governors led by the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku ed,, were waiting to receive him.

Earlier, all roads leading to the presidential wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) were a beehive of activities as supporters trooped to the airport to receive Tinubu.

Tinubu’s arrival in the state is the first since he won the APC presidential ticket. His aircraft touched down in Lagos in the company of some notable APC leaders.

Various groups of artisans, women, and youth among others were among those who welcomed Tinubu back to his base, alongside cultural troupes and musical bands.

Those on his enetourage included the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Senator Kashim Ibrahim; former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; and Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, among others.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Senator Solomon Adeola; Senator Tokunbo Abiru; Lagos APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi; and members of the Lagos Executive Council led by Governor Sanwo-Olu joined the dignitaries ho received the APC presidential flagbearer at the airport.