President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the 2023 presidential election with the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.
Gatekeepers News reports that Buhari said this when he met with Kashim Shettima, the APC vice-presidential candidate, at the state house in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu.
Buhari expressed delight over the choice of Shettima as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate.
Shehu also said the former Borno governor delivered a “flowery speech” in honour of Buhari at the meeting, adding that in a bid to lighten up the mood after listening to Shettima, the president said he would respond when he hands over to the APC candidates in 2023.
“I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss. God willing, you are going to win,” Buhari was quoted as saying.
“I wish you the best. Your consistency in the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as Governor and finished well.
“You have kept touch with your base. At every important occasion or event, you are maintaining support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable.”
In his remarks, the vice presidential candidate thanked the President for his “empathy, support and positive role,” leading to his emergence as running mate to the APC presidential candidate.
He praised the President for having “a special place in your heart for Borno and North-East,” adding, “I can cite 20-30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”
Shettima cited the establishment of the North-East Development Commission, and the Independent Power Plant for Maiduguri by the NNPC,
Shettima said “after many years of darkness, words cannot describe our appreciation of your support. We will remain eternally grateful.”
Shettima also requested the President to appreciate his successor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, who was in his company, along with the Minister of State, Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri, for spurning “recurring mention” of him and pressure from his Governor colleagues to bid for the vice presidential ticket.
He promised that his vice presidency would not be for the “troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all Nigeria, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.”
