2023: President Buhari ‘Congratulates’ Tinubu, Shettima in Lagos

2023: President Buhari ‘Congratulates’ Tinubu, Shettima in Lagos

By: James Bwala

APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima ends their campaign for the run to Aso Rock in Teslim Bologun stadium in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve. The crowd again has demonstrated that the Tinubu, Shettima led rally is about grassrooting. A word from President Muhammadu Buhari as he closed the rally after lifting Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s hands was a ” Congratulations!” Indeed this sank more to me as the conclusion of the matter and to all those who reasons well with the outcome the party is expecting.

There is no need to remind Nigerians of the good will the Tinubu, Shettima train enjoyed in all their rallies across the country. There is also no need to remind Nigerians of the promises made and on the renewed hope massage from Tinubu and Shettima. The endorsement by credible Nigerians and messages of goodwill from the people both in the cities and at grassroots are enough indicators that Tinubu and Shettima are out to lead the country.

On this occasion however, I want to look at the election and the candidates briefly. Indeed, there are about eighteen (18) political parties fielding candidates for the general elections comes February 25, 2023. Four (4) political parties namely: The Labour Party, LP, All Progressive Congress, APC, People’s Democratic Party, PDP and New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP are standing reading for the outcome.

These parties have presented leading and credible Candidates.  One of them will be president after the Saturday, February 25, 2023 general elections. I need not mention candidates from the other political parties because they are only standing as onlookers for the four top contenders. The game is now between Mr. Peter Obi, Asiwaju Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso. 

Political pundits and analysts have been getting their ropes tight to one of those in the line seeking the support and votes of 93 million registered voters across Nigeria to head for the Presidential Villa on May 29, 2023. However, permutations keep three candidates on the row. In a recent overview of their performance by newsmen across the country, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima are being celebrated ahead of the polls.

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Looking at the candidates, it was reported that, while Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state in southeast Nigeria has been the favourites of the Nigerian youths on social media, he however does not enjoy that patronage of the Nigerian youths at the grassroots. There are reports that he is not likely to win the election owing to factors that have been the bane of the Nigerian elections – That one must have the acceptability of the people at the grassroots and make 25 percent of the votes across each states of the federation.

Mr. Peter Obi has hinged his campaign on bringing a new Nigeria for the people with promises of ending corruption. But his followers are majorly across the southeast, which comprises only five states. He was also being accused of playing ethnic politics across other states, which might reduce his chances, voice and votes across regions like the South-South, middle belt and some part of the southwest where it was forecast that he would likely get the votes.

The APC currently have the power and would do everything possible to retain it. If elections are to go by the crowd it gathers at every rally, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu could only be campaigning against himself and will be just a president in waiting. We have seen that in all the rallies, he appeared strong and determine to keep faith with the crowd of supporters and the people.  

It was reported that President Muhammadu Buhari wants to go into history books as a leader who leaves office by ensuring that the country holds credible elections in his time. It was also observed that as the ruling party round up it’s rally in Lagos today, there seems to be renewed hope for the APC to clinched on 20 states where the flags are flying higher. 

The lack of endorsement of Atiku Abubakar by his former Boss is still hunting him. The emergence of Peter Obi and Kwankwaso both in Labour Party and NNPP have resets the PDP on a dwindling rail with many political pundits believing that he will come third position in their run for Aso Rock Villa on Saturday. Adding to this, the former Vice President is said to have lost the confidence of the people from northern Nigeria, which has the highest number of voters as the strategy move by Kashim Shettima across the northern gates lowers Atiku’s name. He was alledged to have lost the support of some traditional rulers and certain religious leaders, who did not believe he has the capacity to pull the country out of the woods.

Again, the hitches for Atiku Abubakar is Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also counted on the votes to make it to Aso Rock Villa. Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State in northwest Nigeria is believed to have followers with numbers equally to decide the election. However, even onlooker knows that Kwankwaso could be playing a spoiler in the end.

2023: President Buhari ‘Congratulates’ Tinubu, Shettima in Lagos