APC Convention: UK-based Nigerians laud Tinubu’s victory

It was jubilation and backslapping on Wednesday for some Nigerians based in the United Kingdom as Sen. Bola Tinubu coasted to victory at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.

A cross-section of the Nigerians, mostly members of the Bola Tinubu Support Organisation, United Kingdom (BTSO-UK), could hardly contain their joy as they described Tinubu as worthy and deserving of the victory.

They included Pastor Sunday Soyinka, Samuel Adeliyi, Mary Williams, Otunba Obafemi Adenuga, Gbolahan Shodiya, Samuel Adewunmi, and Dianne Martins.

Others were Femi Okutubo, Olawale Ogunlana, Taslim Gbajabiamila, Dr Segun Iroko, and Ade Adeshina.

Adeshina, who is the APC-UK executive chair of strategic planning, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Tinubu’s victory did not come as a surprise.

“We give glory to God who has given the entire APC management resolve and knowledge to have successfully managed the party’s presidential primary.

“We thank God that the exercise eventually produced the leader that Nigeria needs at this critical junction in the nation’s history.

“The emergence of our principal, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is not only a victory for the party but for the entire citizens of our great country — Nigeria.

“It is, however, necessary to note that it is not over until it is over. This is just the first step in a thousand to the Presidential Villa in Abuja,” Adeshina said.

Adeshina, who is also the UK Director of BTSO-UK, therefore, called on all stakeholders within the APC as a party and all Tinubu support organisations to quickly come together.

He said that coming together became necessary to form a formidable winning team that would eventually lead to the emergence of Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria, come 2023.

Similarly, Iroko, an agronomic expert, noted that the former Lagos State governor’s emergence as the APC presidential candidate was a result of hard work, consistency and diligence.

“As you can see, everyone here is very excited about the outcome. We expected nothing short of the outcome. We monitored the voting all through the night.

“However, without God almighty, all the hard work will come to naught. As such, we give God all the glory.

“Focus has now shifted to the main goal of keeping the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at bay. We must not take anything for granted,” Iroko said.

On his part, Soyinka, who is a pastor at the Pentecostal Sanctuary Bible Ministries, Northampton (UK), said Tinubu’s victory had further cemented the APC as a strong and indivisible political party.

He said whatever division or rivalry that might have occurred during the buildup to the presidential primary was healthy competition between the same political family.

“What you called acrimony was not necessarily so. It was just part of the political game and nothing personal.

“Most of the contestants are very good friends. They are mature people who fully understand the nature of the game.

“Fortunately for us in the APC, our leader, Tinubu, is a man with a very large heart and will accommodate all tendencies in his characteristic manner.

“We just want to enjoy this moment and give glory to God for making this happen,” Soyinka said.

Also, Alhaji Taofik Shodunke, a pharmacist based in Oxford (UK), said Tinubu had a pedigree of an achiever.

Shodunke said his dream of transferring his business to Nigeria had been rekindled by Tinubu’s emergence.

“I can tell you that many of us in the diaspora are just waiting for the slightest encouragement to transfer our trade back home and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy as we are doing here,” he said.

NAN reports that Tinubu emerged the APC presidential flagbearer after polling 1,271 votes against his closest rivals, a former Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, both of who scored, 316 and 235, respectively.