Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Right Honourable Aminu
Waziri Tambuwal, your bold decision to suspend the pursuit of your
presidential ambition is cast in the mold of defining sagacious political
decisions that have set the tone for positive and progressive thinking so
badly needed to lift our country up.
This sacrifice you have made will not be in vain. It must be noted by all
democrats across the country as an act of great patriotism. 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.
You secured the wish of a virile section of our party, especially your
colleagues, Honourable Members who meant well In their desire to have you
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.
Since you joined our party, the APC has become stronger. You have brought
strength to our party through a political profile that is unrivalled.
Having travelled through over 300 federal constituencies, the widespread
support you enjoy across the country validates you as a leader for our
generation and a political asset for our great party. Undoubtedly, you
have what it takes to lead this country to a better future and we take
note of your astuteness, brilliant political trajectory and preparedness
for higher service.
Your 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 our country.
You have demonstrated to all that after the political calculations are
made and the dust of competition has settled, it must be this nation and
its people who shall stand. Therein, we find the lessons of your decision
to suspend your participation in the presidential contest for now.
You have demonstrated that your political convenience will never triumph
over patriotic conviction. 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.
Though many, including myself, may call what you have done a sacrifice, I
wish to again call it otherwise. It is 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!
May the light of a bright future always shine on you and on our beloved
nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bola Tinubu