By David Lawani, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Party, APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu has told a Pro-Democracy group, The Natives to continue to support the party after President Buhari’s exit from office.
Adamu, who received the group on a solidarity march after the party won the presidential election, said they must remain consistent with their support most especially for the in-coming government of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.
He said: ” We want President Muhammadu to hand over safely by the end of May, 29. Buhari has led us to this victory. And one way we can pay him is to ensure that he has a very peaceful exit. And our support for President Buhari should continue because he is not going to be president after May 29th.
” Our loyalty to him should not be extinguished on May 29th. This incoming government is led by President-elect Asiwaju Bola AhmedTinubu. We voted for him. We supported him. Every one of us should be more anxious to ensure that Bola Ahmed Tinubu succeeds as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He will take off by the 29th of May by the grace of God.
” The support of every one of you is required. As you were in the campaigns so you will be during the governance. I hope that God in his infinite mercy and wisdom will protect all of us. I hope that by the time we are in, I will see more of you”, he said.
Senator Adamu thanked the Natives for their support adding that what they have been doing for the NWC of the party whose shoulders lie the leadership of the party in ensuring that it delivers on its mandate for the interest of the party and Nigeria.
He noted further: ” Through your concerted efforts, in collaborating with us, voting for us, we have a brand new president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
” He took time off because of the rigors of the campaigns. We thank God he is back. I was with him with members of the NWC. He is hail and hearty. He is ready to work. He is rejuvenated and ready to work.
” We want your continued support for us and the incoming government. We want your support to ensure that our transition is smooth and peaceful”, he explained.
Meanwhile, in his response, Hon. Olalekan Smart Edwards Supreme Leader of the group said the purpose of their visit is to reaffirm their confidence in the Party’s choice of the Presidential Ticket, Tinubu and Shettima, who are now President-Elect and Vice President-Elect.
He said: ” We as the NATIVES, a Pro-Democracy and Anti-Sabotage Group, are here in continuation of the advancement of our common goal of one indivisible Nigeria under God. We as a nation blessed roundabout with over 387 tribes and 200 million in population, see our diversity as our greatest asset.
” This Victory of APC is for all, with Bola Ahmed TINUBU, his victory is for all Tribes and Tongues.
” For the first time, a Muslim from S-West Lagos married to a Pastor and a Kanuri from N- East considered as minorities Won by the Solidarity of APC Northern Governors who decided to go South, that decision is historic and heroic, we shall never forget. They stood for the right thing, they stood for the truth, they stood for honor, and they stood for Us and the Unity of Nigeria. Our Democracy has been deepened by that unique act by the APC, so you must take Credit for it. We Celebrate this Party and its Leaders. It is a Legacy of keeping to gentlemanly agreements for National Cohesion.
” 2023 Elections was to us a wake-up call to all ethnic nationalities, a clarion call for national solidarity. The EMILOKAN slogan made us realize it was the turn of competence, the turn of minorities, turn of the forgotten tribes.
” So when people started to play up, ethnic cards, religious tags, the health of candidates, and all the noise from social media, we saw it as a dance of masquerades, so we focused on what our needs were and went for it. We needed a seasoned builder of men and institutions, so the choice of TINUBU/SHETTIMA was Non- negotiable. Because we have a desire to see life and development in our communities.
” The Decision of 8,794,726 Voters cut across all tribes, it was a Vote for HOPE, and at the end, it shall Speak, we believe in Asiwaju, and he will make Nigeria great again.
” So hereby call on you to Sustain your unity and Cohesion as a Party, because that was the missing ingredient that led to loss for other parties during the 2023 elections and the result of the collapse of the former ruling PDP and you can see it is already telling in the various parties post elections.
” TINUBUs strength is in the mobilization of diversity, through to create development and although we keep talking about Wazobia, we are all equal, other tribes and tongues exist in their large numbers and communities and they believed his message and voted for Asiwaju nationwide So the barriers that any of the major ethnic players seem to create does not exist.
” We have Efik, Tivs, mummy, etched, image, Egun, Tapa, Ijaw, Bachama, Zulus, Babur, Birom, Chamba, Yagba, Wajja, Oron, Urohobo, Sirawa, Owan, Ogori, mango, maru, Kataf, Margi, Mandara, garbage, saryawa, tangible, Kajuru, Iyalla, Fulani, stake, boki, Andoni, Awori, Igede, egg on and many more tribes in many villages from where the votes poured out for APC.
” You cannot dismiss the impact, when Nations in Africa express roles of Asiwaju Bola TINUBU in their national development, in moments of crisis, his philanthropic gestures and the very essence of humanity in him.
” Asiwaju is a trailblazer and a pathfinder, a tested team player, who has mastered the art of negotiation in politics, so he has what it takes to keep the nation together, secure the nation and inspire prosperity across the land.
” He is a treasure to our nation that the whole tribes and tongues in Nigeria are eager to experience his magical and innovative ways of governance come May 29.
” Don’t be deceived even the accusers of APC cannot but acknowledge that Lagos is safer than their states and economically viable, hence they brag about Lagos to their families in the villages that have never visited.
“We read the manifesto, it was even translated into languages, we saw a workable future, we looked at his background and we saw he had the formula. We saw a tremendous difference in his leadership language, he has been consistent and his projects are sustainable, so we reposed so much confidence in him and his ability to turn the fortunes of our various tribes and communities around
” Above all as a Party please learn from the lessons of internal wrangling, Party Rewards, Positive Determination, engagement of the right hands, celebrate and reward the unparalleled role of Youths, Women, and Disabled of all tribes, be fair to all as we look forward to an industrialized and Prosperous Nigeria”, he stated.
