I’ll be your worthy opponent at the polls, Tinubu congratulates Atiku

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for winning the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat 11 other aspirants to the PDP ticket.

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media & Communication Tinubu Campaign Organisation, the former Lagos State governor said Atiku is a formidable politician who has shown himself to be a patriot.

He said he was looking forward to squaring up with Atiku at the presidential polls next year.

The APC National Leader said  Atiku’s victory didn’t come as a surprise to Nigerians because of his vast experience as a statesman and veteran of many presidential contests from 1993.

He, however, charged the PDP candidate and other candidates in the election to make their campaigns rancour-free.

“I welcome the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded primary. I look forward to squaring up with him as a worthy opponent in the coming election. I have known the former Vice President as a formidable politician and a patriot who believes in the unity and progress of our dear country.

“As we move further into the election season, I charge the PDP presidential candidate and all political actors across Party lines that we should make this election season one that is devoid of bitterness, rancour and strife.

“We should make our campaigns peaceful and issue based. Election season should be a festival of ideas that will uplift our country and improve the living condition of all our people.

“Unfortunately for the PDP, its candidate will be  burdened to explain why Nigerians should give it another opportunity, after squandering 16 years at the central government, without much to show.

“Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administration and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP Candidate.

“Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former Vice President for his victory in his party’s primary,” Tinubu said.