President Muhammadu Buhari has said the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress must support the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to win the 2023 presidential election.

Buhari said the members of the party must be united so that Tinubu, if elected in the 2023 polls, would continue to secure the country, grow economy, and fight against corruption.

The President added that during the presidential primaries, there were factions and disagreements amongst the aspirants, the APC members must build “a united front in our party” after the exercise.

Buhari made this known via a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, a copy of which was made available to The Star on Wednesday.

The Star had reported that Tinubu polled 1,271 votes out of the 2,303 accredited delegates to emerge as the ruling party’s presidential candidate.

The governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who is the Chairman of the Election Planning Committee, declared the APC chieftain as the winner of the party’s presidential primaries held at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Tinubu’s distanced rival and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, secured 316 votes to come second.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 235 votes while Senate President Ahmad Lawan came fourth with 152 votes.

However, Buhari, while congratulating Tinubu on his emergence as the APC’s standard bearer, said the former Lagos State Governor “has our full and unwavering support”.

The President added: “Now our party must unite behind our candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections so that our government will continue to secure our communities, grow our economy and continue the fight against corruption.

“During the primaries, there were factions and disagreements amongst the contestants and now that the process has ended we must build a united front in our party.

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“In this way, the APC will remain the party that can best deliver on the priorities of the Nigerian people. Now it is time to put the process behind us.

“Because what we can all agree is that the APC remains the party that can best deliver on the priorities of the Nigerian people. But the way to demonstrate that we can get on with this job is to unite.

“The movement we created in 2013 is beyond individuals. Together, we made history by becoming the first party in our country’s history to unseat a party in power and propel our candidate into the Presidency through a peaceful democratic transfer of power.

“We strongly believe that Bola Ahmed Tinubu will safeguard and improve on this democratic achievement and legacy. He is the right candidate for Nigeria’s aspiration because he is the APC’s candidate and under the continued stewardship of our party. Nigeria can achieve greatness and fulfill its destiny in Africa and the world.

“The high point of this extraordinary convention of our party was the energy of the Presidential aspirants and it is from amongst them that we have chosen the most popular leader.

“I recognize and commend the enthusiasm and self-confidence amongst our party men and women.

“I also thank the delegates for making the right decision leading to the emergence of our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” President Buhari said.

The Star