President Muhammadu Buhari has formally endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, as his successor.

The president, who made his position known at the APC political rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State on Saturday, called on the electorate to massively vote for Tinubu/Shettima ticket on February 25.

The renewed endorsement of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket by the president might be a direct political message to the opposition parties who alleged cracks in the leadership of the APC occasioned by naira and fuel shortages across the country.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had severally misinterpreted statements credited to Mr Tinubu at political rallies to mean attacks on Mr Buhari or his policies and programme.

However, Mr Buhari, who spoke both in English and Hausa languages at the rally, dismissed the assertions by the opposition, saying Mr Tinubu had been a tested and trusted political ally.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been my political ally for over 20 years. I’ve confidence in his ability and capacity to continue with the good works of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“He will be a very good successor. Come out en masse and vote for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket on February 25 and you’ll never regret doing so,” he said.

The president also called on the APC supporters to vote for all APC candidates in the February and March general elections, including incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Earlier in his remarks, the APC presidential candidate lauded Mr Buhari for focusing on delivering the dividends of democracy despite the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

He equally dismissed the insinuations being propagated by the opposition that the president was not in support of his presidential ambition.

Mr Tinubu stated that the opposition would continue to be frustrated as the cordial relationship between him and Mr Buhari would continue to be waxing stronger.

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who mobilised and spoke on behalf of governors elected under the platform of APC, commended the president for promoting the virtues of unity and harmony among all party members and supporters across the country.

He stated that the presence of the APC governors at the rally signified a sign of political victory for the party in the forthcoming general elections.

The APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, who also spoke at the event, called on the electorate to vote for Tinubu/Shettima ticket as well as all APC candidates during the February and March general elections. 

(NAN)