President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, charging party leaders and members to work towards victory in the general election and deliver their votes before expecting commendation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Tinubu expressed appreciation to party members for their efforts during the previous election but stressed that the task ahead remained incomplete.
“Are you afraid? No. Are you weary? Thank you very much. I celebrate you. I celebrate you, no doubt about that. Nigeria will continue to celebrate you.
“You will see the joy of this victory. You will share in the joy. Amen. You won’t do it for nothing. Amen.
“I thank all of you for the last election. But no one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So, all of you deliver the next election, all of you deliver your votes, all of you deliver the votes before we can say thank you, thank you, and I will thank you very much.”
The President acknowledged distinguished party leaders, members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma.
He also recognised the contribution of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and other party leaders in preparing the party for the campaign.
“As I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit full of resolve, it is my honour to inaugurate the Presidential Campaign Council of our All Progressives Congress for the 2023 general election.
“I thank the council secretary and the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, for all the commendable things he has done.
“I do not take your trust lightly, and by the grace of God, I intend to keep and honour it. Your trust is extremely important to me, all of you.”
Tinubu said he had listened to the advice of party leaders, who urged him not to allow the demands of the campaign to distract him from the responsibilities of governance.
“You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision.
“Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause. That responsibility is recognised as our agenda here today.
“The Constitution allows INEC to make room for ballots, but not for the campaign. The job must go on.”
He assured the party that he would continue to engage Nigerians directly while allowing campaign council members to lead political mobilisation across states and local government areas.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you.”
The President also emphasised the importance of creating an environment that would attract investors to Nigeria, noting that investment was essential for the country’s future and the wellbeing of coming generations.
“We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children.”
Addressing party members, Tinubu said the inauguration was more than a formal ceremony, describing it as a renewed commitment to the Nigerian people.
“Let the word go out from this hall to every corner of our nation. The APC is ready.
“We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council. We have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with the Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party.
“We promise we will not let them down.
“This council will carry our vision, our record and our agenda to every Nigerian, and it will carry them to victory in every ward of this country.
“We are at this moment strong, united and renewed.”
Tinubu also commended the party for successfully conducting its congresses and establishing leadership structures from the ward level through local governments and states to the national level.
He recalled that, on December 19 of the previous year, the party’s 15th National Executive Committee meeting ratified the programme for the congresses.
“On December 19 last year, the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of our party ratified the programme for the congresses. We conducted it. They said there would be imbroglio. We passed through it. We did not fail. You didn’t let us down.
“You gathered together. You chose, from the ward level to the local government, the leadership of the party, to the state level and from the state level to the national level.
“Clap for yourself, please.”
Describing himself as a servant of the party, Tinubu pledged to remain committed to its promises, manifesto, objectives and vision.
“To me, I am your errand man. Even as President, I raise my hand with full commitment that I will abide by my promises and the manifesto, the objectives and the intentions of our party. That’s all I give you.”
The President also recalled the challenges faced in Lagos State and praised those who worked with him during difficult periods, urging political leaders to listen to their elders and remain committed to nation-building.
He subsequently called on members of the Presidential Campaign Council to come forward as he prepared to formally inaugurate them.
“With faith in God Almighty and trust in all of you, I hereby declare the Presidential Campaign Council inaugurated.
“God bless you. Thank you very much.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Tinubu clarified that he was addressing the gathering in his capacity as the party’s presidential candidate and called for the campaign leadership to join him in the task ahead.
“I didn’t stand before you as the President. I stand before you as the candidate.
“I want the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council that will bring me back for a second term of campaigning to join me, whether he accepts the nomination or not.
“Thank you very much.”
The ceremony concluded with an acknowledgement from the designated Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, who thanked the President for the opportunity.
