A former presidential aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, Stanley Osifo, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his emergence as the party’s presidential flagbearer after Saturday’s primary election.

Mr Osifo conveyed the congratulatory message in a letter dated May 25 and addressed to Mr Tinubu. 

A copy of the acknowledgement was made available to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.

In the letter, Mr Osifo described Mr Tinubu’s emergence as a reward for decades of political stewardship, resilience, and leadership.

He said Mr Tinubu’s victory reflected the confidence party members had in his leadership capacity and political experience.

“It is with a deep sense of patriotism, respect, and shared vision for the future of our great nation that I congratulate you on your victory at the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election.

“Your emergence as the presidential flagbearer of our great party is a testament to your decades of political stewardship, resilience, and capacity for leadership.

“As a co-contestant in this rigorous presidential primary process, I am immensely proud of the democratic sportsmanship exhibited across the board which has further strengthened the foundations of our party,” the letter read in part.

The former aspirant said the APC presidential primary strengthened the democratic foundation of the ruling party.

Mr Osifo said the conduct of the exercise restored confidence among Nigerians and political observers.

According to him, the transparent process disproved allegations that the party harbours undemocratic tendencies.

“As democrats, we have shown Nigerians and the world what internal party democracy is. We took steps to ensure every candidate of our great party emerged through a democratic process.

“You went through the democratic process and emerged as the presidential candidate. No one can dispute,” it read.

Mr Osifo said the party had dispelled negative perceptions surrounding its internal democratic process.

He added that APC had used the primary to reassure Nigerians about its commitment to fairness and transparency.

“We have dispelled undemocratic perceptions within and outside the party. We restored confidence in our party and in Nigerians who worried about tendencies which never had foundations in our great party.

“The presidential primary is now behind us, and the greater task of securing the future of Nigeria lies ahead,” the letter stated.

Mr Osifo called for unity, collective purpose and consolidation of strength ahead of the general elections.

He pledged total support for Mr Tinubu’s presidential ambition and campaign activities nationwide.

The former aspirant disclosed that his political structures had been merged with Mr Tinubu’s campaign organisation.

(NAN)