National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that he also had aspirations to become Nigeria’s president, but had to sacrifice it for the current APC presidential flag bearer, General Muhammadu Buhari.
Making the assertion while addressing the crowd at an APC presidential rally in Lagos on Friday, January 30, 2015, Tinubu said he was more competent and financially stable than the former Head of State but opted to support General Buhari because Nigeria’s problems needed a man with his (Buhari’s) stature and credibility.
He went on to urge the people to vote for the APC at all levels to ensure a better Nigeria.
His words: “People define patriotism as putting the country first but this is what the ‘Poverty Development Party’ refuses to understand. We chose Buhari not because Bola Tinubu is not interested in the Presidency. I am capable, competent, qualified, younger and richer but there comes a time that people must make sacrifices for their nation.
“I prayed that Nigeria would get better and we would not need a man like him (Buhari). But today, we are in a great crisis; we face a lot of challenges. When South Africa was in a great dilemma and was about to disintegrate, they called Nelson Mandela of 74 years old.
“He used his wisdom to save his country. When the United States was in economic depression, they called 73-year-old Ronald Reagan because he was frugal and incorruptible.
“When America was faced with depression and war, they called a retired General, Dwight Eisenhower, to rescue the country and the country was returned on a path of success. When France was faced with war and economic depression, they called a retired General, Charles De Gaul, to rescue the country,
“So what do we need now? Buhari. This is the time for us. General Buhari, whether you are qualified or not qualified, we are calling you to come and rescue us in Nigeria.”
