Also congratulating Tinubu, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo urged his supporters to back Tinubu to ensure he emerges victorious in the 2023 election.
Osinbajo, who came third in the APC presidential primary in the congratulatory message said: “I congratulate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his victory at our party primaries and his emergence as the Presidential candidate and flagbearer of our great party, the APC for the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Elections.
“For many decades, our flagbearer has shown passion, patriotism, courage and determination in the cause of nation building. His sterling contributions to our democracy and its progress stand him out.
“His wealth of experience will certainly be critical in our party’s continued efforts to attain a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.
“To all members of our great party, regardless of who you voted for at the primaries, we must now unite behind our presidential candidate and flagbearer to ensure victory for our party in the 2023 elections.’’
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday that he would support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the 2023 presidential election.
Osinbajo spoke at the Abuja campaign office of The Progressive Project (TPP), a coalition of support groups that backed him for the presidency.
Osinbajo said despite the outcome of the APC’s presidential primary he remained committed to the dream of a new Nigeria.
In his address to the crowd of supporters, the VP described the clamour for a new Nigeria as a movement.
He said: “This movement is a movement within a party also. We are not doing something that has not been heard of before. What is new is that we have a firm belief that a new Nigeria is possible and it is possible through us who are here.
“We went to the convention and the results showed us clearly that we lost, but it is only a battle, it is not the war. There are battles ahead, but we will win the war for a new Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win that war for a new Nigeria.
“That is why our movement for a new Nigeria must remain strong and firm. And we will do everything to keep our movement strong and solid.”
According to the Vice President, despite the result of the APC presidential pimary, “the dream of a new country remains alive and well… We will have at the back of our minds, that what you have started in the various movements, coming into one, is the seed that will birth a new nation. You and I know the time has come and we will devote everything to it.
“I am committed and will remain committed to that dream (of a new Nigeria) for as long as you are willing and recognise that we have not yet written the story of this country, we have not yet completed the story of this country. As a matter of fact, the story has just begun, this movement has just started.”
The VP further said “a new Nigeria has only just started, and everywhere across this land, it will be clear to all that a new Nigeria has been born. Once the genie comes out of the bottle, you cannot put it back. The word has been spoken; it cannot be taken back: it is time for a New Nigeria.”
Pledging support for the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Prof. Osinbajo recalled the personal letter he wrote to Asiwaju yesterday congratulating him on his victory at the party primary.
“In that letter, I said to him that the dream of this country, the dream of a new country remains alive and well. And I want you to know in your hearts that we are democrats.
“When we participate in a contest and the results are announced. No matter what those results may be, we abide by them because there is only one process for democrats, whether that process is good or bad, there is only one, and we have gone through that process.