I will continue to campaign for you as the ‘next president of Nigeria’_ Buhari tell Tinubu

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday specifically told the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of his unwavering commitment towards ensuring that he wins the February 25, 2023 presidential poll.

The President, who is the leader of the party and Chairman of the APC presidential campaign council has, therefore, assured all party supporters that he will continue to campaign for emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu as the ‘next president of Nigeria.’

President Buhari spoke before a mammoth crowd at the presidential campaign rally in Lafia square, Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, where he endorsed the candidature of Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Shettima and the second-term bid of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

He thanked party supporters for defying the hot weather and standing in the sun for hours to express their support for the party’s flag bearers in the forthcoming presidential and gubernatorial elections.

‘‘I congratulate and assure you that God willing we are going to win through and through. As Tinubu said in his speech, I have known him for more than 20 years, and I will continue to campaign for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is a committed Nigerian and I believe he will give all his best to Nigeria.

‘‘Also vote for Abdullahi Sule for a second and final term as governor’’ he said.

Earlier in his speech, the APC presidential candidate thanked the President for being the ‘‘poster boy’’ of his campaign, fighting and working hard for the survival of Nigeria.

According to him: ‘‘Nigeria is surviving as a nation. Because of constitutional democracy we would have asked you to continue, but you said no, you are going back to Daura, your hometown.”

Tinubu also used the forum to chide those insinuating that he is having a frosty relationship with the President, saying: “those who think there are cracks in our friendship and relationship would continue to be disappointed and have their short-term joy limited.

“Ours is not about the individual but about nation building, honesty, integrity and character,’’ he said.

The former two-time Governor of Lagos state, who compared President Buhari to great and courageous leaders like Abraham Lincoln, praised him for remaining focused in the midst of distractions.

He promised that under his presidency, Nigeria will recover from all challenges because of the courage and resilience of its citizens.

Tinubu added that his administration would prioritize agriculture, build the nation’s mineral resources and create wealth for Nigerians.

‘‘We will work hard. We promise you that your children and grandchildren will have no regret about this nation and ourselves,’’ he said.

The President was accompanied by the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, some APC Governors and party stalwarts.