At a meeting with Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, on Friday, Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) ad-libbed his now clichéd “Emi lokan” coinage.

The Yoruba expression literally translates to “It’s my turn” was first mouthed by Mr Tinubu in Abeokuta, just days before his party’s presidential primary election. 

The former Lagos governor used the expression to underscore his entitlement to the APC presidential ticket, having helped others, including President Muhammadu Buhari and Ogun governor Dapo Abiodun achieve their present political offices. 

The statement drew the ire of his critics.

Mr Tinubu eventually won, defeating 13 other contenders, among which were Mr Bello. Mr Tinubu visited Mr Bello as part of a fence mending mission, post primary victory.

He described the Kogi governor as his son, adding that the governor was reminded of “what the nation wants to be.”

The presidential hopeful also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing a level-playing ground for all the contestants during the special convention and primary.

Mr Tinubu said, “The man of the convention, the man of democracy for that day was Muhammadu Buhari.

“If you want to run, run; you want to crawl, crawl; you want to dance, dance.”

Mr Tinubu described his victory as a very good step for the APC stakeholders to work for one united country that is concerned about prosperity.

The APC presidential flag bearer also thanked the party’s leadership for ensuring that the convention ended peacefully.

“The (opposition) thought there would be chaos and crisis. But we saw peace. Emi lokan. It’s my turn,” he said.

Responding, Governor Bello announced that he had collapsed his Presidential Campaign Council and would donate the building to Tinubu’s campaign organisation.

The governor promised that he would  be on the streets to campaign for Mr Tinubu and take APC to victory.

“Today, I have collapsed my Presidential Campaign Organisation.

“I am donating my campaign organisation secretariat to you. I have learnt a lot from the little lecture you gave to us.

“What elders see when they are in the valley, the younger ones won’t see it,” Mr Bello said.

“Never again will the PDP lead this country. Thank you all my colleague governors for giving me the opportunity to learn from you.

“Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC national chairman) has never lost an election and we will win the 2023 election. Our convention went well and peacefully,” he added.

Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by three governors: Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara); and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).

A former Governor of Edo and ex-APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, was also at the meeting.

(NAN)