President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed strong optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket will emerge victorious in the 2023 general elections.
He made the declaration on Wednesday when he received the running mate of the APC presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the State House.
The President, who struck a chord of humour while responding to a flowery speech by Senator Shettima, said: “I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss. God willing, you are going to win.”
President Buhari, who received the Vice-Presidential Candidate shortly after the leadership of the Party and Bola unveiled him, said he was thrilled with the choice of the former Governor of Borno State as a running mate.
“I wish you the best. Your consistency at the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as Governor and finished well. You have kept in touch with your base.
“At every important occasion or event, you maintain support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable,” he said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Presidential Candidate thanked the President for his “empathy, support and positive role,” leading to his emergence as Running Mate to the APC Presidential Candidate.
He praised the President for having “a special place in your heart for Borno and Northeast,” adding, “I can cite 20-30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”
He mentioned the establishment of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, and the Independent Power Plant for Maiduguri by the NNPC, “after many years of darkness,” saying that “words cannot describe our appreciation of your support. We will remain eternally grateful.”
The former Governor of Borno State requested the President to appreciate his successor, Babagana Zulum, who was in his company, along with the Minister of State, Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, for spurning “recurring mention” of him and pressure from his Governor colleagues to bid for the Vice Presidential ticket.
The Candidate pledged to remain “loyal and devoted” to the President, promising that his Vice-Presidency would not be for the “troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all of Nigeria, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or geographical place of origin.
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