•APC candidate currently in Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj
•Implores Nigerians to back his presidential bid
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday rubbished media reports of an alleged secret meeting in London between him and the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The reports, he said, were written in bad faith and with evil intention.
The APC flag bearer who is currently performing Umrah (Lesser Hajj) in Saudi Arabia, said the reports were designed to advance the political interests of the writers and their sponsors.
His media aide, Tunde Rahman, said in a statement in Abuja that Tinubu was focused on his campaign objectives.
“While in the United Kingdom, Asiwaju Tinubu noted some articles in some national newspapers in Nigeria, alleging a secret meeting was held in London between him and the G-5 governors who are members of Peoples Democratic Party,” Rahman said.
“These reports, to say the least, are not only in bad faith but also evil intentioned. They were published to advance the political interests of the writers and their sponsors.
“The Presidential Standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, HE Asiwaju Tinubu, is neither bothered by these articles nor by their sponsors who are well known.
“He is resolutely focused on his campaign objectives which are geared towards achieving victory in the upcoming presidential election to deliver the APC’s Action Plan aimed at giving a Renewed Hope to our people in all facets of their lives.”
The presidential hopeful however pointed out that he is entitled to meeting any political actor or stakeholder that is important to his campaign and plans for the country and who desires to engage with him.
He asked the sponsors and writers of unsubstantiated articles and those peddling rumours about him to desist forthwith.
Highlighting his London trip, the statement noted that the former Lagos State governor usually takes time off his busy schedule as the year comes to an end to rest before proceeding to Saudi Arabia to observe Umrah (Lesser Hajj).
Rahman added: “Tinubu came to London on Boxing Day Monday, December 26, 2022, to spend a few days preparatory to his trip to Saudi Arabia.
“After spending some time in London, he has now proceeded to Mecca where he is at present observing Umrah. He is scheduled to return to the country within the next two days to continue with the campaign.”
APC Campaign Council to Nigerians: vote Tinubu
Also yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) urged the electorate to vote for Tinubu in next month’s election.
The committee enjoined Nigerians to move forward to a year of renewed hope and victory.
In its new year message signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, the Council described the Tinubu/Shettima ticket as the key to solutions to the myriad of socio-economic and political challenges confronting the country.
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“2023 is significant to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of this blessed nation. It provides another opportunity to the people, the true and authentic sovereigns, to delegate to elected representatives in the legislative and executive arms their fundamental, inalienable rights to participate in making decisions over the human and material resources of our country,” Onanuga said.
He added: “This is a duty that every citizen qualified to vote cannot transfer to another person. It is a responsibility that should not be exchanged for money. It is a sacrifice for the consolidation of democracy and federalism, the sacred values of our Constitution.
“Every vote is a testament of renewed hope, the certainty of victory over poverty and the conviction that our country carries within its bosom the potentials of the world’s next super power, indeed, the first black super power.
“Nigerians all over the world have sown those seeds of greatness in the work they do and the positive impact they are making as doctors, lawyers, engineers, entertainers, athletes, teachers and professionals in all fields of endeavour.
“To move from where we are to where we want to be, we need to maximise our resources, feed ourselves with what we grow, give our youths education that will make them excel, provide shelter for the homeless and bring constant electricity and technology to make production easier and convenient.
“2023 is our chance to make these dreams come true. Let us seize the moment.
“As the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Party, with 41 million registered members, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presents the best vision for the future for our collective prosperity with pledges that are practical, immediate and valuable to our journey towards development.
“The current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has tried its best in spite of its challenges. It is like building a tarmac, a solid, concrete foundation. The coming administration of APC under the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima, when elected, by the goodwill of Nigerians, shall put an aeroplane on the tarmac already built by President Buhari that will take us at supersonic speed to our destination. The world shall watch Nigeria soar higher and higher.
Security, infrastructure, education, health, housing, tourism shall be transformed to provide jobs and boost the economy.
“The APC Presidential candidate and his running mate have clearly laid out a grand vision for a better Nigeria in their Action Plan.
Let us seize this moment as we work to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the new year to continue the progressive governance we started over seven years ago.”