President Bola Tinubu on Sunday cautioned Nigerians not to allow politicians with no clear vision to take the country backward. He made this statement when he was handed the Certificate of Return and the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu spoke at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja after being declared the APC presidential candidate for 2027 with 10.9 million votes. He congratulated his opponent, Stanley Osifo, for being a good sportsman and accepting the outcome of the party primaries. Osifo, a businessman from Edo State, paid N100m for the APC presidential nomination form and refused to step down after a planned consensus arrangement for the primary collapsed. He polled 16,503 votes nationwide.
Tinubu said, "To those who despise our philosophy, we offer dialogue and engagement, not anger, confident that the sincerity of our purpose and the results of our work will speak for themselves." He's willing to dialogue with political opponents and critics of his administration. Democracy, he noted, isn't built on uniformity of thought, but on diversity of ideas anchored in a shared belief in the nation.
Disagreement with the opposition, he added, is a feature of democracy rather than a threat. Tinubu promised to consolidate the reforms his administration has embarked on. He wants to work harder for the posterity Nigerians have longed for, and to place the country on an irreversible path within another four years.
Since his administration took office, a lot has changed, including the political landscape, electoral reforms, and the economy. He highlighted some of the achievements of his administration, including the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Presidential Metering Initiative, and the N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified legacy debts owed to GENCOs and GASCOs.
Tinubu acknowledged that despite his administration’s efforts, challenges remain. Many Nigerians still struggle with rising costs and economic adjustment. His government, he said, has intensified efforts to strengthen the security architecture, support the brave armed forces and the police, and forge stronger partnerships with local communities.
He assured that he would take seriously the responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian. Tinubu won't tolerate any threat to national security, and he's committed to building a safer Nigeria. He's determined to ensure that all Nigerians can live without fear of violence or crime.
- President Bola Tinubu accepts the APC presidential ticket for 2027.
- Tinubu promises to consolidate reforms and secure progress.
- He vows to build a more secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria.
- The President acknowledges challenges, including rising costs and economic adjustment.
- His administration has established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President's acceptance of the nomination is a crucial move towards the 2027 presidential election, as it demonstrates his commitment to serving the nation. He has renewed his commitment to serve the nation with even greater determination. With another four years of disciplined focus and national cooperation, he hopes to firmly place Nigeria on an irreversible path of economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, infrastructure development, food sufficiency, and democratic consolidation.
Tinubu advised Nigerians not to gamble with the forthcoming election. He said the next election must not merely be a contest of parties or ideas, but a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity. As a government, they've taken giant steps forward, and they don't want to give in to complacency by allowing politicians with no clear alternative vision to take the country backward.
He thanked the party leadership, APC governors, the National Working Committee, members of the National Assembly, and loyal party members and stakeholders who have contributed to the unity and strength of the party. He also acknowledged the steadfast support and sacrifices of Nigerians across all walks of life who continue to believe in the difficult but necessary path of reform his administration has chosen to rebuild the nation.
Tinubu's message is clear: he's committed to building a Nigeria where every life, including property, is secure. He wants to build a nation where enterprise thrives, workers earn with dignity, young people find opportunity, and farmers prosper. Every Nigerian, regardless of background, should be able to dream big and succeed. He extended a hand of partnership in nation-building to those who may disagree with him politically.
The task ahead requires patriotism and collective effort. Tinubu is confident that with faith in God, confidence in the people, and hope in the future, he'll build a more secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria for generations to come. He pledged to build an even more inclusive government, one that listens, learns, and leads with the best interests of all Nigerians at heart. He won't let anyone down, and he's determined to make Nigeria a better place for everyone.