The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has compared President Muhammadu Buhari with former United States President, late Abraham Lincoln.
He said Lincoln, like Buhari, led his country in a time of crisis and still recorded huge achievements in infrastructural development.
Tinubu, who was addressing party supporters today, February 4, at a rally in Keffi, capital of Nasarawa State, said: “President Buhari faced the challenges of Nigeria courageously and squarely.
“There are few leaders who have faced some challenges and crisis like you did and continue to build infrastructure. One of them is Abraham Lincoln.
“You have joined such great men who can stay focused in the midst of distractions and enemies. You have tolerated criticisms, there is no labelling you have not endured but today in Nigeria, you are celebrated, commissioning projects after projects.
“You fought hard and worked hard. Nigeria is surviving as a nation and we believe because of constitutional democracy, we would have asked you to stay on but you said no, you are going back to Daura.
“Nobody ever thought a man in uniform will ever be a democratic, principled and honoured Leader. Today, it is a thing of joy and honour to have you at the rally.
“For us who joined hands with you 20 years ago to reshape Nigeria, to fight corruption, to fight destitution, to fight failure and hunger, we are proud of your achievements.”
On his friendship and relationship with the President, Tinubu said that those who have concluded there is a crack have had their joy cut short because their friendship is strong, enduring and about nation-building.
“Those who think there are cracks in our friendship and relationship will continue to be disappointed and have their short time joy dashed. Ours is not about individuals. It is about integrity and nation-building.
“We can see true leadership but we may not be able to read the mind of the leader. Today, I stand before you and make a pledge again that Nigeria will recover from all challenges. We are brave. We are resilient. We will focus on agriculture; we will build our mineral resources. We will turn the earth and our dust to money. We will work hard. We promise you.
“Your children and grandchildren will not have any regret about our nation and ourselves. Happiness, joy and prosperity will be part of our success,” said Asiwaju Tinubu.
National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, told party supporters in Hausa language about the history of friendship between President Buhari and Tinubu, even as he solicited their vote for the party’s candidates.
He presented the party’s flag to Governor Abdullahi Sule as the governorship candidate of the party for second term.
