Frontline presidential aspirant, Senator Bola Tinubu, has expressed optimism that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will be his worthy opponent in the 2023 elections.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said this in a congratulatory message to Atiku on his victory at the PDP presidential primary held in Abuja, on Saturday.
He said he expected the former vice president, who was also the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019, to be his worthy opponent, by the Grace of God and the support of APC delegates, in the 2023 presidential election.
Tinubu, in the message by the Director, Media and Communication, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for emerging as the PDP flag-bearer, and commended him for his patriotism and commitment to the progress of the country.
He also congratulated the other PDP contestants for the orderly and peaceful way they conducted themselves and for pledging to rally round the winner, in the true spirit of democratic sportsmanship.
Tinubu said Atiku’s victory didn’t come as a surprise to Nigerians because of his vast experience as a statesman and veteran of many presidential contests from 1993.
While welcoming the PDP candidate to the race, Tinubu admonished that the coming election should be about issues that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians, bring peace, progress, political stability and solve myriad of sociopolitical challenges and insecurity currently facing the country.
“I welcome the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just-concluded primary. I look forward to squaring up with him as a worthy opponent in the coming election.
“I have known the former vice president as a formidable politician and a patriot who believes in the unity and progress of our dear country.
“As we move further into the election season, I charge the PDP presidential candidate and all political actors across party lines that we should make this election season one that is devoid of bitterness, rancour and strife.
“We should make our campaigns peaceful and issue-based. Election season should be a festival of ideas that will uplift our country and improve the living condition of all our people.
“Unfortunately for the PDP, its candidate will be burdened to explain why Nigerians should give it another opportunity, after squandering 16 years at the central government, without much to show.
“Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administrations and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP candidate.
“Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former vice president for his victory in his party’s primary,” Senator Tinubu, who awaits in his fate as the APC holds its presidential primary before the end of the week, stated in the message.
