By Tony Akowe and Nicholas Kalu, Abuja
Senate President Ahmad Lawan called on the APC Senate Caucus to support Tinubu to become the candidate of the party for the 2023 presidential election.
The former Governor of Lagos State said he came to the Senate to seek the counsel, partnership and support of the APC senators to actualise his presidential ambition in 2023.
He said: “I seek your advice and counsel as stakeholders in this democratic journey.
“I seek your partnership in my quest to become the Presidential candidate of our party and to win the general elections in February 2023 for all APC candidates.
“This is not about gaining power. It is about securing good government for the nation.
“Together, the Executive and Legislative branches of this democratic tree must strive to cultivate and bring forth good fruit for the welfare of the people.
“Nigerians have come to that stage where we need a change of baton. President Muhammadu Buhari is about to serve his second term in full.
“Election is coming up in February. We have various programmes, including nomination process, primary process and all of that. I can’t do it by myself and I can’t do it by sitting at home expecting that many friends I have here will do it for me.
“I believe jointly we can do it. You can back me successfully for the nomination of my lifetime ambition to become the president. My ambition is not blind to the extent I will step on the toes of the President. I just want to step into his shoe and not on his toe.”
He added that if the counsel of wise men is anything to go by, “I’m asking for that teammanship here today to get me over the hump of nomination process and from that hump, to get me to the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Look at my capacity. I am an unusual candidate. Perhaps the only one who had been in the Senate, who had been a governor and aspiring to become president,” he said.
He said that Nigeria will remain united if he is elected president and “we will use that unity, the symbol of our party, to cleanse Nigeria of unrealisable potential.”
Tinubu said being with the lawmakers inside the National Assembly brought back heartfelt memories of his time in the Senate in 1992.
He said: “My entrance into national politics came in this building. I was first a senators and shall always consider myself part of this body. This is homecoming for me. I am amongst my own.”
He added that “the essence of representative democracy is the assemblage of the prudent and the wise to pass just laws for the benefit of the people.
“The legislation this body passes shall determine the fate of this nation. By what I have seen of your work and words, I can say this nation has been in good hands.”
He thanked the lawmakers for striving to advance democratic good governance and fair elections in the country.
“Thank you for electoral reforms, particularly the recent Electoral Act amendments, which include the greater use of technology in the electoral process,” he said.
He noted that the “cordial relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive is something to behold.
“Democracy does not thrive when both arms are adversarial. More gets accomplished through cooperation than conflict. You have passed landmark legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Act that rationalises nearly every aspect of oil and gas production.”
He further insisted that the National Assembly through its words and actions, had demonstrated support for advancing democracy through bolstering the structures and processes of political parties, including the APC.
The Presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, also commended the Senate on the passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill.
“Thank you for sustaining our democracy. I ran into a little ambush of women protesters because I went to the other gate.
“Interestingly, you have been very careful on affirmative action and you are being very careful not to jeopardise the Constitution.
“Yes the interests of women are necessary but for APC, we are doing our best and we continue to do our best to accommodate the interest of our women.”
Lawan said that the APC Senate Caucus was a central and fundamental pillar of the party.
“This caucus has remained committed to the party, shown resolve to our manifestoes to work within us and the Executive. We have achieved so much because of the APC caucus.
“From 2019, this caucus has showed loyalty, commitment and purposeful orientation to ensure that our victory from 2015 and 2019 as a political party are fully utilised for the benefits of Nigerians.
“This party needs the kind of commitment that APC Senate caucus members have shown in the country.
“APC must continue to be progressive in our actions. 2023 is going to be a year for APC again. By February 25 when the Presidential Election will take place, by the grace of God, APC will have the victory that is required.”
On the leadership crisis in the party, Lawan said: “Recently, we have had difficulty because of misunderstanding between some of our members and the party had been thrown into a temporary confusion.
“I thank God it is over now.”
Lawan added that wished Tinubu well and success in “this enterprise and the recognition you have given to the APC Senate Caucus is well appreciated.
Tinubu, who adorned a sparkling white flowing agbada and a light-red signature cap, arrived the Senate New Building at 2.18pm and was immediately ushered to the office of the Senate President on the 4th floor, where principal officers and majority of APC Senators, already assembled, welcomed him to the upper chamber.
Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu, who has also declared interest in the APC presidential ticket, was among those who received Tinubu.
Senator Rochas Okorocha, a former Imo State governor, who has also indicated interest, was not around.
Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by ex-Senators Iyola Omisore, Abu Ibrahim, Adedayo Adeyeye, among others.