Tinubu’s Running Mate: Gbajabiamila Makes Promise To APC Presidential Candidate

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has promised to help the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, pick a running mate.

The APC presidential flag-bearer for the 2023 election had said over the weekend that he is still in search of a suitable running mate.

Naija News recalls that Gbajabiamila clocked his 60th birthday last Saturday, 25th June 2022.

Speaking at the birthday event attended by dignitaries, the lawmaker promised that he would provide Tinubu with a running mate with whom he would enjoy working.

He said: “You (Tinubu) said in your address that many years ago you consulted with your younger brother on the issue of WAEC and that consultation bore fruits. I give you my own parting shot. It is that time again to consult with your younger brother. I will give you a running mate that you will enjoy working with. But this time, the consultation I promise you will not be for free.”

Naija News understands that Tinubu had earlier commended Gbajabiamila at the event that was held in Abuja on Sunday.

In his remark about the lawmaker, Tinubu described the House Speaker as a worthy individual.

Tinubu spoke about how he figured out Gbajabiamila would be a good politician years ago, even though the latter cared little about being ambitious.

Tinubu said: “As a Minority Leader, he consults wide, and he’s always there to see the thinking of opposition that we must bring a revolution to the House to be able to beat the PDP. And then, he will brainstorm for any length of time about political strategy.

“When he was challenged for the speaker position, I think after our merger, he worked for me tirelessly; Femi is a workaholic. The problem of failure stared him in the face. He lost the election to become the Speaker.

“I was close to tears. Stamping my foot to the ground, I said we will win again. Femi keep up. Pick yourself up. I am very proud of you that you did, you didn’t give up. You did the opposition and the support job. You demonstrated what we learned from textbooks and other authors.

“Femi with your determination, and grit, you are a contributor to our democratic growth, thank you. You have character. You are a great mentor and you are doing a good job charting a path to success. You’ve done a good job, and I say thank you, thank you.

Tinubu commended the lawmaker for his role during the party’s presidential primary election, where he (Tinubu) emerged as the elected candidate for the 2023 elections.

He said: “What you did during my primary is a story for another day. I’ve spent more time, too many times, and people might be bored, they might be envious too, they might be jealous. I won a landslide. I thank you.”