Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed pride in his association with President Bola Tinubu, describing him as an integral figure in Nigeria’s political history.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari congratulated Tinubu on his 73rd birthday, acknowledging his pivotal role in shaping the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its electoral victories.
“No doubt, the annals of the country will not be complete without bringing into mention and recognition the varied and numerous roles of President Tinubu as an entrepreneur, a party stalwart, a staunch activist, party organiser, party builder, a reliable ally, and a serial winner of democratic elections. I am truly proud of my association with the Asiwaju,” Buhari stated.
He further emphasized that the APC’s vision for Nigeria remains intact under Tinubu’s leadership. “When Nigerians handed the baton of leadership to the APC in 2015, it was a mandate to lay the foundation for a new Nigeria where the poor get opportunities for a better future, and I am glad that the vision is not lost,” he added.
Buhari’s statement comes amid recent political shifts, notably the defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai claimed that the APC had strayed from its founding principles and alleged that Buhari had “blessed” his departure.
However, Buhari swiftly countered the claim, reaffirming his loyalty to the APC and dismissing suggestions that he supported el-Rufai’s exit from the ruling party.
