APC presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu has painted opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar in glowing words after the latter emerged the flag bearer of the PDP on Saturday.

Mr Tinubu, angling to secure the ruling party’s ticket amid stiff opposition said it would be an honour to square up with the former vice president at the 2023 polls.

“I welcome the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the candidate of the PDP at the just-concluded primary election,” Mr Tinubu said in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman of his presidential campaign.

“I look forward to squaring up with him as a worthy opponent at the coming election.”

Mr Tinubu said that Mr Abubakar’s victory did not come as a surprise to Nigerians because of his vast experience as a statesman and veteran of many presidential contests since 1993.

He said he has “known the former vice-president as a formidable politician and a patriot who believes in the unity and progress of our dear country.”

The APC leader, however, said Mr Atiku and his party must explain to Nigerians why he should be voted for in 2023.

“Unfortunately for the PDP, its candidate will be burdened to explain why Nigerians should give it another opportunity, after squandering 16 years at the central government, without much to show.

“Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administrations and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP Candidate. Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former Vice President for his victory in his party’s primary,” he said.

Mr Abubakar polled 371 votes to emerge as PDP’s presidential candidate at the party’s primary election.

(NAN)