President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in next year’s poll, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will win.
He said the standard bearer is running on record as a two-term governor between 1999 and 2007, whose achievements are verifiable.
President Buhari, who is the chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), spoke in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday (UK), with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The President described Tinubu as a politician of note, also spoke on his mission in the UK.
He restated his resolve to conduct a free and fair election.
According to him, everything will be done to block moneybags from bringing money from outside the system to manipulate and compromise the process.
On the chances of APC winning the elections, the President said: “What are the chances of my party winning the election? We are going to the elections. Tinubu, the presidential candidate, is a very well-known politician in the country.
“He (Tinubu) was a two-term governor in his state, Lagos; resource-wise, the most resourceful state and the most visited state. So, I think the party was lucky to get him to accept to be its candidate.
“My aim is to make sure that Nigerians believe that we respect them as an administration. So, Nigerians should vote for whoever they like, from whichever party.
“Nobody will be allowed to mobilise resources and thugs to intimidate people in any constituency.
“This is what I want to go down into Nigeria’s history for me as a leader.”
President Buhari foreclosed rolling back the plan to redesign the N1000, N500 and N200 naira bills, the President said he aligned with the explanation by the Central Bank Governor (CBN) Godwin Emefiele that the policy will curb inflation and reflate the economy.
He said the window given was long enough for Nigerians to return their cash to the banks before last day of the year.
The President said: “The Governor of the Central Bank convinced me that there is need to change it and I agree with him.
“Time has been given from October to December 31. Three months is enough for whatever money you have to get it changed through a legal system.
“So, I don’t know why people are complaining about it. There’s no going back. No, no going back.”
On his medical trip, the President said he has no major health challenge other than the regular checks on his eyes and teeth, explaining that he has patronised the London facility since 1978.
Buhari said: “It went very well. My problem has been my eyes and my teeth and they’ve been looking after me since 1978. So, this is my only attachment here.”
When asked how healthy is my president?, Buhari said: “I’m very healthy”.
Meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace
The President met with the British monarch, King Charles III, at the Buckingham Palace, London.
His Special Assistant on Digital and New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi, posted the photographs of Buhari with his host to confirm the meeting.
In a tweet on his verified Twitter handle @toluogunlesi, the presidential aid wrote: “President @MBuhari today met with His Royal Majesty King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace.”
The President left Nigeria London October 31 for a routine medical check-up. He is expected back in a matter of days.
(The Nation)