Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday, met with his supporters under the auspices of ‘The Progressive Project’ for the first time after he failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket at the party’s convention in Abuja.

Osinbajo said although they have lost the fight to emerge as the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, there are many battles to fight ahead.

The Vice President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, a copy of which was made available to The Star on Friday.

Osinbajo said despite the outcome of the results of the APC special convention for the party’s presidential primaries, he remains committed to the dream of a new Nigeria.

He said: “I am committed and will remain committed to that dream (of a new Nigeria), for as long as you are willing and recognize that we have not yet written the story of this country, we have not yet completed the story of this country. As a matter of fact, the story has just begun, this movement has just started.

“This movement is a movement within a party. Also, we are not doing something that has not been heard of before. What is new is that we have a firm belief that a new Nigeria is possible and it is possible through us who are here.

“We went to the convention, and the results showed us clearly that we lost, but it is only a battle, it is not the war. There are battles ahead, but we will win the war for a new Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win that war for a new Nigeria.

“That is why our movement for a new Nigeria must remain strong and firm. And we will do everything to keep our movement strong and solid.”

The Vice President said irrespective of the outcome as democrat, he would support the APC because the alternative is not worth considering.

“No matter what those results may be, we abide by them because there is only one process for democrats, whether that process is good or bad, there is only one, and we have gone through that process.

READ ALSO: Osinbajo congratulates Tinubu, lauds APC candidate’s qualities

“And in that process, a winner has been adjudged, but that does not kill the dream of the great future. We will support our party; we will support the flag bearer of our party because we know that the other side is not even worth considering. So, we will support the flag bearer of our party, we will do everything we can,” Osinbajo stated.

Osinbajo, while pledging support for the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, Bola Tinubu, recalled the personal letter he wrote to the party’s chieftain yesterday congratulating him on his victory at the party primary.

“In that letter, I said to him that the dream of this country, the dream of a new country remains alive and well. And I want you to know in your hearts that we are democrats when we participate in a contest and the results are announced,” he said.

He further commended his supporters, especially TPP and all other support groups that worked tirelessly with commitment and determination, saying: “As I said at the convention, I went to school here, I was born here, my parents were born here. Every opportunity I have had was given to me by this country.

“And it is possible for this country to provide the same opportunity for you and all the future generations. But we must fight for it. In every fight, you lose some battles.”

Speaking at the meeting, some leaders of Osinbajo Support Groups lauded the Vice President as a true leader and inspiration to millions of Nigerians

They assured Osinbajo that they would always stand by and take their political directions from him.

The Star