The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has said he holds no grudges or grievances against other aspirants who vied for the party’s presidential ticket with him.

Tinubu, who said the aspirants have nothing to fear for not supporting him, urged them to support him to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

He, however, commended other aspirants who stepped down for him at the party’s presidential primaries held at Eagle Square, Abuja.

The former governor of Lagos State said these in his acceptance speech on Wednesday following his emergence as the APC’s flag bearer for the 2023 polls.

Tinubu, who polled 1,271 votes out of the 2,303 accredited delegates to emerge as the ruling party’s presidential candidate, defeated former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who came second and third with 316 and 235 votes respectively.

He said: “We have been at historic Eagle Square for many hours such that day has turned into night and night back into day.

“Because of your democratic exertion, this convention shall be recorded as a shining moment in the evolution of our party and the life of our nation.

“I must thank you all for making me the standard bearer of our progressive party. And I humbly accept the nomination of this convention to be the presidential candidate of our enlightened, humanitarian and great party, the All Progressives Congress.

“I also offer my sincere gratitude to President Buhari for his calm and prudent leadership throughout this process. I thank him, also, for his steadfast determination to ensure a level playing field and a free and fair primary process for every aspirant. Without him, I would not be standing here today as the new flagbearer of Nigeria’s party.

“I thank the governors for their invaluable contribution to internal democracy and unity. I commend the party leadership and organizers for the conduct of a successful convention.

“Thank you, the delegates, for the confidence you have shown in me. I will prove that your choice was a wise one. You have moved our party and country towards its best future. On your mandate I shall stand.

“I commend my fellow aspirants. It is a difficult thing to run for president. The stiff and bold competition you offered made our party stronger and made me better.

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“I must say a special word of thanks to the seven aspirants [Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; Sen.; Ibikunle Amosun; Sen. Ajayi Borrofice; Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole; Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Barr.(Mrs.) Uju Kennedy] who chose to step down their personal ambitions for the good of the party and the unity of our purpose.

“The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges or grievances.

“Let us each agree to join hands in defeating the PDP and beating back our common foes of poverty, terror, and violence. We now have a date with destiny in February 2023. Let us win so Nigeria can become the nation it is intended to be,” the APC national leader stated.

Tinubu further expressed his appreciation to his campaign team and close advisors, saying: “Your dedication, long hours, and sound advice have brought me to this point.

“I thank my beautiful wife, Oluremi, for her patience and wise counsel. Thank you for standing by my side. I am indeed a fortunate man.”

He noted that though Nigerians face serious problems, he would make the country better for the generations to come with help from God.

The former governor vowed to build on the “solid foundation” in security, economy, and anti-corruption laid by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu said: “Yes, we face serious problems. But I believe that we have it within us to reach our finest destiny. With help from God, we shall make this nation better for the generations to come.

“President Muhamamdu Buhari has already laid a solid foundation in security, economy, and anti-corruption. We will build upon this for the salvation of our people.

“Our teeming youth population is our nation’s greatest asset. We will create jobs for our youth from the Zamfara and Osun gold deposits to the vast agricultural lands across the country.

“We will create new ooportunities in the FINTECH sector, the creative and entertainment industries, digital skills, and other areas.

“Our vision is of progress and the future that can be. We must defeat the PDP’s reactionary ideals.”

The Star