Former Lagos state Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had explained that
he decided not to jostle for the vice-presidential slot because he believed
that his position as the APC National Leader, allowed him to serve
as “a bridge builder across all divides.”
Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed in
Abuja on Wednesday, said, “There came a time during the course of the events
when our Presidential candidate, offered the Vice-Presidential slot to me.
“Being a normal human being, I was deeply moved
and honoured that he would consider me for the position. Being a patriot, I had
to weigh my potential candidacy in all of its dimensions.
“I have concluded that in the interest of the
party, our campaign and the nation are better served if I retain my position as
the National leader of the APC.
Tinubu said despite the opposition that arose
over his possible selection, Buhari stood firm and steadfast.
He said with this, Buhari showed the traits of a
leader in holding to a decision he believed was right despite the plots against
it.
The former governor said he was not bothered by
lies being said about his person when his name was mentioned.
He said, “When my name was raised, the political
hatchet men tried to chop it down with rumour and lies. Over the years, I have
developed a thick skin.
“The personal attacks did not bother me. I am
used to them. While I have a thick skin, I don’t have a thick mind.
There has been one form of attack that has troubled me.”
The attack, he said, was that of Muslim-Muslim
ticket, which according to him, was orchestrated by the
Peoples Democratic Party.
“That is the attack based on religion. The PDP
and others have stoked fear of a Muslim- Muslim ticket.’’
Tinubu pleaded with Nigerians “not to allow the
power lust of cynical politicians to set brother against brother, neighbour
against neighbour.
“If you look at those politicians who raise this
issue the most, they are the least devout and faithful to any religion other than
their self-interests.
“Nigeria has too many secular problems –
insecurity, economic collapse, poverty, corruption and misgovernance – to allow
inept people to use religion to keep us from solving these challenges for the
benefit of all.”
He said that those who exploit religion should be
wary, because “ there really is a God and he does not like it when you play
with His people or use His name to do the opposite of what He intends.
“I ask the people to remove religion from the
electoral equation now that the tickets of both parties are mixed. I ask you to
select the ticket best able to end the downward slide that Nigeria has endured
since this government took over. I ask you to remember that too many Christians
and Muslims are poor.
“Most of all, I ask you to remember that the true
religion of the PDP is poverty; the APC is here to bring prosperity to the
people.”
He promised to work and dedicate himself “so that
our ticket succeeds and wins the 2015 election – not for his good, not for my
good, not even for the party’s good but for the good of the nation we inhabit.”
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