“This sacrifice you have made will not be in vain,” Tinubu said, showering praise on the Tambuwal. He told the Speaker that his sacrifice for the cohesion of the party and a greater Nigeria will go down in history as one of the greatest pragmatic and progressive political sacrifices ever made in the politics of the country.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal, for withdrawing from the party’s presidential race.
He said the Speaker's decision was commendable and that he had made history by his decision, describing the action as cast in the mold of those defining sagacious political decisions that have set the tone for the positive and progressive thinking so badly needed to lift Nigeria up.
“This sacrifice you have made will not be in vain,” Tinubu said, showering praise on the Tambuwal. He told the Speaker that his sacrifice for the cohesion of the party and a greater Nigeria will go down in history as one of the greatest pragmatic and progressive political sacrifices ever made in the politics of thecountry.
“It must be noted by all democrats across the country as an act of great patriotism,” he observed. “We all appreciate the position you have taken and the sacrifice you have made. There are lessons to be learnt from all that is unfolding towards building a better future. This is noted by the party and Nigerians. You have demonstrated the true spirit of democracy. You have indeed shown the way to all other party members on the kind of sacrifice expected of them. You are a good example to the young and old and the leading lights of our party.”
He noted that the Speaker had secured the wish of a virile section of the party, especially his legislative colleagues whom he said, meant well in their desire to encourage him to vie for the highest office of the land.
“And excited by your politics and candidature, most Nigerians looked in your direction hopeful in the prospects of your candidacy and a New Nigeria. But rather than pursue a selfish ambition, you humbly submitted yourself to the service of the common good. Whatever anyone may say, you have made history.”
Tinubu credited Tambuwal with making the APC stronger since he enlisted in it.
“You have brought strength to our party through a political profile that is unrivaled,” he said, adding that the widespread support the Speaker has garnered by his travel through over 300 federal constituencies validates him as a leader for this generation and a political asset for the APC.
Tambuwal, he underlined, has what it takes to lead Nigeria to a better future and that the party notes hisastuteness, brilliant political trajectory and preparedness for higher service.
“You have demonstrated that your political convenience will never triumph over patriotic conviction,” Tinubu continued. “You no doubt joined the APC not to advance any personal ambition. Your decision in this delicate moment gave no space for emotion to intrude into the path of objectivity and blind you and many of us from what is best. The APC is the best vehicle to enact the progressive and broad change this nation cries for. I salute you for eagerly lending yourself to this fine cause. You will never walk alone.”
He noted that why many including himself may call Tambuwal’s action a sacrifice, it is more appropriately seen as a patriotic contribution and duty.
“With a happy and uplifted heart and clear conscience, you have by this decision committed yourself to seeking the best for this nation before seeking what is good for yourself. This is the creed of statesmanship. May this be the creed of our party!”