₦airaland Forum

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to work evenly for the country without marginalising any part in areas of development.

Asiwaju Tinubu, who is due to be inaugurated as president on May 29, said this Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The president-elect is on a two-day visit to the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Nyesom Wike administration.

“I will not marginalise any region, but will leave legacy projects across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he said at the opening of Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover Bridge.

Tinubu praised Governor Wike for the development strides in Rivers State, particularly for the 12 flyovers constructed across the capital city, saying posterity would kindly remember him.

He said with his accomplishments in the state, Nigeria would need the outgoing Rivers governor in higher capacities.

On the political front, Tinubu thanked Wike and the people of Rivers State for their support for him.

He said he was in the state in line with the promise he made during the campaigns in Rivers, saying “if you make a promise, you keep it.

“I will never forget the pivotal role the great and wonderful people of this state played in my victorious campaign to become the next president of this country. You have my eternal gratitude.

“In His Excellency, Governor Wike, I see a man of principle. He took a principled stand that the presidency should be retuned to the South; and he had the courage to stand by his convictions, not minding whose ox was gored.

“He is, indeed, a man of great integrity. He did not choose to serve his own interests, rather, the interests of the nation and the people of Rivers State. I thank him for his selfless leadership,” he added.

In his speech, Wike said the invitation for Tinubu to commission projects in the state was a fulfilment of promise made during the President-elect’s campaign visit to Rivers.

He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for agreeing to visit Rivers State and perform the commissioning.

Wike, who threw jibes at the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), applauded the election of Tinubu which, he said, had shamed naysayers.

The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Governors Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).

Others were former governors Dr Peter Odili (Rivers), Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), Chief James Ibori (Delta), Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Chief Ayo Fayose (Ekiti).

Others in attendance include governor-elect of Rivers State, Mr Sim Fubara, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, Mr Dele Alake and Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam, among others.

Office of the President-elect
Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
May 3, 2023

A few days after a viral video showing President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a helicopter belonging to the Guinean government surfaced, the man at the centre of it all, Amb. Ousmane Yara, has exclusively revealed to Daily Sun what transpired.

In a chanced meeting with Daily Sun in a highbrow Abuja hotel on Sunday, Yara opened up on the relationship Tinubu, former Guinean President, Alpha Conde and him had.

He also shed light on Tinubu’s special recognition by the Guinean government under Conde.

Yara, a Guinean, who is Ambassador African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, told Daily Sun that the viral video was shot sometime in 2016 when Tinubu visited Guinea as guest of then President Conde during the country’s independence anniversary celebration.

He said that Tinubu, him (Yara) and Sanwo-Olu, who was not governor then, were travelling in the helicopter from Guinean capital to Mamu, in the Fula region of the country, to attend independence anniversary celebration, as, according to him, then President Conde used to move the state function related to the anniversary from region to region every year, when he was in power.

Yara revealed that Tinubu first visited Guinea in 2015 after he hosted former President Conde in Lagos earlier. According to him, the president-elect’s attendance of Guinea’s independence anniversary celebration in 2016 was his second as guest of former President Conde.

He said: “Through one of Tinubu’s aides at that time, who is now a minister in the government of Nigeria, I facilitated a meeting between President Conde and Tinubu. President Conde was going for reelection, for the second term, in office then in 2015. He came to Nigeria to see Tinubu, who organised a dinner in his honour. At the dinner, Tinubu invited many Nigerian businessmen and others.

“President Conde then invited Tinubu to Guinea about one month to the election for his second term. Tinubu honoured the invitation and came with a team of economic experts and businessmen, who took time to discuss with Guinean government officials how the country could better harness its resources for economic prosperity and development.

“Tinubu spent only one day and travelled to London from there, but left the team he came with to continue engagement with Guinean officials on how to transform Guinea. The team and Guinean government officials worked for three days, and came up with an economic roadmap.”

Amb Yara said that thrilled by Tinubu’s support for his reelection and for bringing the team that worked with Guinea officials to chart an economic and development agenda, President Conde invited Tinubu to the independence anniversary in 2016.

“President Conde invited Tinubu to the independence anniversary. Since the official function at every independence anniversary was done in different regions, Tinubu was required to fly from the country’s capital, in a helicopter, to Mamu, where that year’s event held. That was the video being circulated. At the independence anniversary celebration, President Conde gave Tinubu the honour and privilege of a president, in appreciation of what he did for him during his reelection bid and towards economic development of Guinea.”

Yara said it was in order to show appreciation to Tinubu that former President Conde gave him a “Special Envoy” status.

“Conde recognised Tinubu as a pan-Africanist and saw him as a special envoy,” Yara said.

The AU Ambassador said that governments extend honorary citizenship to important people who may not be their citizens as a mark of recognition of their contributions to socio-economic and political developments in the countries, which does not make such persons citizens of the countries.

Daily Sun findings from Wikipedia is that honorary citizenship is a “status bestowed by a city or other government on a foreign or native individual whom it considers to be especially admirable or otherwise worthy of the distinction. The honour usually is symbolic and does not confer any change to citizenship or nationality.”

Yara said Tinubu, being a friend of Conde, is not strange as individuals and politicians all over the world have presidents as friends.

He revealed that many Nigerian politicians and businessmen were friends of Conde when he was in power, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari, who hosted the former president in Abuja.

Amb. Yara, in a bid to authenticate what he said, put a video call through to former President Conde, who has been living in Turkey since he was ousted from office in 2021.

Conde, answering a question on his relationship with Tinubu, said: “Tinubu is the biggest pan-Africanist I have seen. Before I met Tinubu, I had noted his accomplishments, right from when he was governor. I see him as a ‘Lion of Africa’ because of his contributions towards the stability and development of Africa. He has always supported African presidents who were pan-Africanists in disposition and others.”

Conde confirmed that he recognised Tinubu as ambassador extraordinaire (special envoy) of Guinea, while promising to speak in details about the president-elect in due course.

The former president expressed confidence in the ability of Tinubu to do well as president.

He noted: “I am convinced that Tinubu’s leadership will be good for Nigeria. Nigeria is a country other West African nations look up to. I am happy for Tinubu. Anything he may require of me to make his government successful, in my personal capacity, I will willingly do. He helped us in Guinea and I will never forget that. Nigerians should pray for the success of Tinubu’s government because his leadership will be impactful.”

Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu is a Nigerian politician and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who is popularly referred to as "JAGABAN". He was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos State, Nigeria. In the mid-1970s he moved to the United States, took on many odd jobs while he finished his college education. Transcripts show that Tinubu attended Southwest College (now Richard J. Daley College) in Chicago and then transferred to Chicago State University, where he bagged a B.S. in Business and Administration degree in 1979 with honours.

Before going into politics, he worked as an executive in the accounting department of Mobil Oil Nigeria in the 1980s where he gained experience in corporate management and finance. This gave him the skills and experience necessary for his political career. After his job at Mobil Oil Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu established his own businesses before going into politics. The first was a consulting firm that provided financial management and advisory services to various clients. Apart from these businesses, Tinubu is also known for his philanthropic activities which is a basic reason for the establishment of the Tinubu Foundation known for its poverty alleviation programs, education and healthcare support services in Nigeria.

Having excelled in education and professional career, his political journey started far back in the 1990s when he became a member of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) led by the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. The Yar'adua later became a formidable bloc within the then Social Democratic Party (SDP). The presidential candidate for his party, SDP, in person of business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola emerged the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election but was never declared the winner because the Military head at the time, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida annulled the elections. An Election that was supposed to be a true definition of democracy and transition to civilian rule resulted in a quasi-military coup d'etat.

After the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Tinubu joined forces with pro-democracy activists to form National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to fight for the deannulment of the election that was won by the late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola. Tinubu’s pro-democracy activities annoyed the Late General Sani Abacha and he was forced into exile along with his comrades at arms. After five years in exile, Tinubu returned to Nigeria in 1998 following the sudden and unexpected death of General Abacha. 

On his journey to ensure democratic leadership in Nigeria, Tinubu had contested for a position in the Nigerian Senate in 1992, where he represented the Lagos West Senatorial District. During his tenure as a senator, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance, and Appropriation. Having gained experience within Nigeria's political structure, he took a step to make Lagos a better place. In 1999, Tinubu contested for the post of the Governor of Lagos State under the banner of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) party. He won and served two terms as Governor of Lagos State between the years 1999 to 2007.

On his assumption of office as Lagos Governor, Tinubu created a team that worked together to implement policies that helped improve the state's economy and infrastructure, such as the introduction of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law and the creation of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Lagos State Revenue Law and the Land Use Charge. All of these developments helped to significantly increase the state's revenue. He implemented a number of infrastructural projects in the state. These projects include the construction of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, the Ojota interchange bridge, and the redevelopment of the Lagos Island Central Business District. He established the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to manage the state's traffic congestion. The creation of LASTMA has greatly reduced the regular frustration that comes with traffic congestion thereby efficiently reducing the stress that comes with movement around the state.

Tinubu's government also introduced reforms in the education sector. These reforms helped in the establishment of new primary and secondary schools, the rehabilitation of existing schools, and the introduction of the EKO Project, which aimed to improve the quality of education in the state.

The Health sector was not left out. His tenure implemented reforms in the health sector, which saw the establishment of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the construction of new health centres across the state.

With full understanding that a government with a high unemployment rate is an aimless government, he created job opportunities through the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) to promote entrepreneurship and job creation. He also took serious measures against the high level of insecurity across the state. A number of measures to improve security in the state were created, including the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and the introduction of a Neighbourhood Watch system to complement the efforts of the police. These great achievements as Governor of Lagos State contributed significantly to the development of the state and earned him recognition as one of the most successful governors in Nigeria's history.

Following his dreams to ensure better governance, economic growth and development, Poverty eradication, good security and improved general living standards of people across states in Nigeria, he endorsed several trusted and capable hands as political leaders in Nigeria at different levels of government.

Some of the notable political leaders that have received Tinubu's endorsement include: Babatunde Raji Fashola. Tinubu endorsed Fashola's candidacy for Governor of Lagos State in 2007 and played a significant role in his victory at the polls. Fashola served two terms as governor and later became a Minister of Power, Works and Housing under President Muhammadu Buhari.

Akinwunmi Ambode: Tinubu endorsed Ambode's candidacy for Governor of Lagos State in 2015, and he went on to win the election. Ambode served one term as governor and was succeeded by Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Abiola Ajimobi: He endorsed the candidacy of Abiola Ajimobi for Governor of Oyo State having convinced the latter to ditch private practice to become a Senator hitherto.

Kayode Fayemi: He also endorsed Fayemi's candidacy for Governor of Ekiti State in 2018, and he won the election. Fayemi had previously served as Minister of Solid Minerals under President Buhari.

Rotimi Akeredolu: Tinubu endorsed Akeredolu's candidacy for Governor of Ondo State in 2016, and also endorsed Akeredolu's re-election bid in 2020, which he won.

Dapo Abiodun: He endorsed the current Governor of Ogun state.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu: Tinubu also endorsed the current governor of Lagos State.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo: Yemi Osinbajo is one of Tinubu’s achievements in leadership production. He is one of the best Vice Presidents Nigeria has ever had in years. Osinbajo's selection as Buhari's running mate was widely praised, as he was viewed as a competent and experienced administrator with a background in law and academia. During his tenure as Vice President, Osinbajo has played a key role in the Buhari administration, particularly in the areas of economic reform, anti-corruption, and social intervention programs.

President Muhammadu Buhari: In 2015, Tinubu endorsed Muhammadu Buhari as the president of Nigeria under the APC.

It is worth noting that Tinubu's endorsements have in time past been regarded as significant in Nigerian politics, as he is a powerful and influential figure in the country's political landscape. However, it is ultimately up to the voters to decide whom they elect into office.

In the 2022 presidential primaries, Tinubu made his interest in being the next president of Nigeria known to the masses with a 10-point agenda which offered Nigerians a new and restructured society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to treating each citizen with equal respect and due regard. Everyone expected the primaries to be a race between Yemi Osinbajo and Tinubu. Tinubu however showed his political genius as he won the majority vote and then became the presidential flagbearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The battle for the presidential seat was a tough one as there were other prominent participants from other political parties. This came at a time when the majority of the citizens were tired of the ruling party (APC) and also the rule of the older generation. Tinubu, alongside the flagbearer of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar at this time were regarded as one of the older generations as he was 70 years old at the time he contested. There were the likes of Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra state from the Labour Party, and other candidates that were deemed much younger and vibrant.

Due to the incessant need for change, an interesting struggle between youths and the older generation surfaced and at a point it looked like the Almighty "JAGABAN" was going to lose the election to a younger generation. As the collation process was ongoing, he lost even his own state. However, by sheer dint of fate, he got higher votes in Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, in the West, Jigawa, Niger, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Zamfara, Borno, Benue in the North.

In the South East and South South he got Rivers and did very well in Imo, Ebonyi and Edo States. With a clear pan-Nigeria mandate and spread, Tinubu won the presidential election with a total vote of 8,794,726.

On the 25th of February 2023, a great decision was made by Nigerians. A chance for hope was chosen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared elected as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on March 1, 2023 by the Independent National Electoral Commission. 

Looking back at his efforts in good governance and democracy from 1999 till date, it will be right to say that Tinubu will not only ensure that all programmes in his development agenda are met, but will also work fervently to bring about the rebirth of Nigeria thereby making Nigeria a HOME for all citizens.

Our hope is Renewed and a better nation is assured.

JUST IN: COMPLETION of one of the major new Bridges being built by the @MBuhari Administration: The LOKO-OWETO BRIDGE, across the River Benue, linking Benue and Nasarawa States.

Now READY for Commissioning.

HM @FMWHNIG, BRF inspected today.

This new Bridge and the adjoining roads cut hours from the travel time between FCT and Otukpo in Benue State. (Allows motorists to bypass more than 100km of the old route).

See what Minister Fashola said a few years ago, before the completion:

Entire project is the Bridge section (2 bridges actually, totaling 2.2km, across River Benue), and ~180km of adjoining highway on either side. Now 100% complete.

Dapagun:
1. You can't increase salary without budget considerations. Have you spoken with the Accountant General, Finance Ministry, is there budgetary allocations for this? Does this person understand governance in anyway?

Switruth:
Dapagun. Please tell us what you’ll do if you’re in his shoes for the first 100 days in office. Abi dem send you come? Gerrearu here right now. You don’t know notn

Dapagun:
11. How do you want to reinvent the wheel. I mean, the Blue and red rail already exist and are at different stages of completion

Dapagun:
15, you want to dissolve constitutionally appointed local government chairman. Do you are not even governor yet and you are already plotting to break the law and plunge the LGAs into distress.

Again the legal dispute this will cause will hold you for one year

Dapagun:
These one does not understand both politics and governance and is most likely going to cause more problems than solve them.

This is the person they are touting for governor? He can't even manage a local government with this ideas of his

The reason is simple. I met him for 3hrs at his instance & we spoke and he started justifying taking state resources to put in his family business. I got up to leave. He brought out an envelope and said he had money for me for thanks for coming. Left and started criticizing him.

Thank you very much the people of Gombe State for the love and reassuring energy. Together we shall renew hope comes February 25th.

UPDATE: The Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Lagos State Chapter have endorsed The Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat tickets yesterday at Independent Campaign Council (ICC) Office, Oduduwa Crescent, GRA Ikeja Lagos.

The NATA Chairman says they have over 100,000 members across the State and they are fully ready to work for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for President and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu for 2nd Term.

Members of the Association displayed their PVCs for everyone to see and have assured the ICC that they will fully mobilize their members to vote for APC all APC Candidates across the State

See my Bauchi people, the plane belongs to a senatorial candidate Ibrahim Baba of SDP but also carried Tinubu/Kashim of APC on it.

President Muhammadu Buhari returns to the hustings for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima on Monday.

Buhari is expected to lead the presidential and governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi, according to a campaign programme released by the secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council, James Faleke.

Buhari will be at the rally scheduled for 8.30 to 11.30 am.

The rally will take place earlier than other rallies, as Buhari is also expected in Lagos on Monday to begin a two-day visit.

In Lagos, he will commission the Lekki Deal Sea Port, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) venture, involving the Federal and Lagos State governments and a private company, Tolaram.

Buhari will also commission the 32-metric tons per-hour Lagos Rice Mill, one of the largest in the world and the 18.75-kilometer 6-lane rigid-pavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway.

He is expected to commission the first phase of the iconic Blue Line on Tuesday, as well as the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

For the APC, the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take his campaign on Tuesday to Abia state and Ogun state on Wednesday.

It will be a busy week of electioneering as the candidate and his running mate, Senator Shettima, will also canvass for votes in Benue and Taraba on Thursday.

While the Benue rally is billed for between 10 a.m and 1pm, Taraba’s will take place between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

The campaign train returns to Abuja on Friday for the launching by the vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, of the All Farmers Progressive Association and commissioning of tractors for members.

On the same day, Shettima will hold a Town Hall meeting with Livestock Development Group.

The APC in its Action Plan pledges to consolidate on President Buhari’s huge investments in agriculture by setting up commodity exchanges and agricultural hubs in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

Zamfara state, where all the APC tendencies in the state have united, will host the last rally of the week on Saturday in Gusau, the capital.


Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
January 22, 2023