President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious in 2023.

Buhari said, God willing, he would hand over to the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on May 29, 2022.

The president also lauded the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the APC.

While responding to a flowery speech by Shettima, the President said: “I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss. God willing, you are going to win.”

Buhari said he is very happy with the choice of the former Governor of Borno State as running mate.

“I wish you the best. Your consistency in the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as governor and finished well. You have kept touch with your base. At every important occasion or event, you are maintaining support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable,” he said.

In his remarks, the Vice Presidential Candidate, who was unveiled on Wednesday by Tinubu, thanked the President for his “empathy, support and positive role,” leading to his emergence as running mate to the APC Presidential Candidate.

Tinubu: I made hard choice picking Shettima as running mate

He praised the President for having “a special place in your heart for Borno and North-East,” 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 for 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 will not be for the “troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all Nigeria, irrespective of  ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.

The Star