All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu rounded off his campaign rallies with a grand finale at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who returned to Nigeria from the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Ethiopia on Monday, was present at the rally.
Although he did not say a word at the event, President Buhari raised Tinubu’s hand in a symbolic gesture proclaiming him as Nigeria’s next president.
Tinubu devoted his speech to thanking the president for his support.
The man who was governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007 said he followed the law and worked hard to become the APC presidential flagbearer.
Addressing Buhari, he said: “You said the election must be transparent. Thank you, you followed the process.
“The primary came, we waited anxiously and I won the poll. You didn’t ask them to cancel it based on my religion. You did not alter the result based on my tribe. You did not cancel the result because I was not in your village in Daura.”
On the choice of his running mate, Tinubu said Buhari gave him the freedom to choose his vice presidential candidate.
“I came to you for you to nominate for me my running mate. You said, ‘No. You know better You know Nigerians. You encouraged me, and after that, I announced to you having made my choice. I chose Kashim Shettima, one of the most competent, independent in thought, with great knowledge and dependability. He has shown perseverance and capacity in terms of performance,” he added.
Thanking Buhari for keeping his promise to attend the rally a day after his return from Addis Ababa, Tinubu said “Mr. President, I assure you, as you have worked hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria.
“All the ideals set in our agenda, the Renewed Hope manifesto, will be pursued vigorously.”
Surulere and environs were on lockdown as party supporters came from different parts to see what was a homecoming for the former Lagos governor.
Tinubu’s loyalists in different campaign clothes and caps of various colours blew trumpets, waved brooms and flags and other symbols of the party.
Incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanked the crowd for coming to receive Buhari and Tinubu at the rally.
