Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, will serve the interests of all parts of Nigeria if elected in 2023.

Mr Gbajabiamila made the statement on Saturday in Lagos, while speaking at the Surulere Constituency 2 APC Town Hall meeting.

He said the APC presidential candidate was passionate about the development of Nigeria, adding that he would care for all the peoples of the country, if elected.

“One thing I can assure all Nigerians is that when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu becomes the president of this country, he will be president for all.

“He will care for the Yoruba people, he will care for South South, he will care for the Igbos, he will care for the Nupes and the northerners.

“He is the only candidate that has proven himself well. He has the capacity and will deliver,” Mr Gbajabiamila said.

The Speaker particularly appealed to Igbos to invest their votes in Tinubu to take the country to greater heights. 

He said it was unfair for the Igbos not to vote for Mr Tinubu, simply because he is not from the South-East or any other region apart from his.

Mr Gbajabiamila said Mr Tinubu had done well for the Igbos and urged people from the South-East region to give him all the support to lead the country.

“To our brothers and sisters from the South East, has Asiwaju done anything to offend anybody in the South East? Has he done anything wrong?

“Tell me one state in Nigeria where you have a non-indigene in the cabinet. I can tell you, the only state where that happens is Lagos state.

“The Director-General of Budget Office in Nigeria, one of the highest positions in Nigeria, what is his name? Ben Akabueze. Is he from from Lagos? No, he is from the South East and Asiwaju put him there.

“He determines the budget. Whatever any money any agency or department is looking for, it must come Akabueze’s table. He determines whether to give or not to give. That is a man from the South East, put there by Asiwaju Tinubu.

“And I can give you many more names. So, why will a man that has done much for the Igbos now come to you for votes, and you tell him he has not done bad, he has done well, but because he is not from the South East, we have somebody from the South East to vote for. I think that is not the way to go,” he said. 

Mr Gbajabiamila said the 2023 election was about the progress of the country, and urged Nigerians to vote for competence rather than tribe or religion. 

(NAN)