A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, has congratulated the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on his emergence as the party’s flag bearer for the 2023 general election.

Orubebe said the emergence of Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate was an indication of the love and trust the ruling party has in his ability to lead the party to victory in 2023.

The former minister said this via a letter dated June 20, 2022, and addressed to Tinubu, a copy of which was obtained by The Star on Tuesday.

This is coming barely some hours after Orubebe dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He made this known via a letter dated June 20, 2022, and addressed to PDP National Chairman, Sen. lyorchia Ayu.

The former minister stated that he decided to dump the PDP after realising that the present situation in the party does not inspire confidence that the party is ready to regain power from the APC in the 2023 general election.

However, Orubebe, in a letter addressed to Tinubu, further hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for listening and hearkening to the yearnings of Nigerians, that power should shift to South.

He stated: “On behalf of myself, my family, and my political associates, I hereby congratulate Your Excellency on your emergence as the presidential candidate and the flag bearer of APC at the primaries held on Wednesday 8 June, 2022.

“Your clear overwhelming victory is an indication of the love and trusts the rank and file of APC have in your ability and capabilities to lead them to victory at the polls in 2023. I have no doubt that this confidence reposed in you is not misplaced. I wish you all the best at the polls, sir.

“Your Excellency, kindly also extend my felicitations and appreciation to Mr President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, for his impartial and selfless role in your emergence as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

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“He not only allowed a free and fair election at the primaries, he listened and hearkened to the yearnings of Nigerians, that power should shift to the Southern part of the country, as championed by almost, if not, all the 14 Northern Progressives Governors.

“The Governors’ love for Nigeria is exhibited by their show of commitment that power should shift to South is highly commendable and went a long way to douse the rising tension occasioned by the possibility of having the two major parties fielding Northern candidates. I salute them for their promotion of equity, fairness, justice, and love for our dear country.

“I wish you Allah’s guidance, protection, wisdom and good health in the arduous campaign in the coming months, and party that your ambition of becoming the next President of Nigeriancome February 2023, is realised,” Orubebe said.

Orubebe served as a minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan

He made headlines on March 31, 2015, when he attempted to disrupt the proceedings of the 2015 presidential election collation.

Orubebe alleged that the then chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, had taken sides with the APC.

The former minister later apologised for his conduct.

The Star