Tinubu Should Write His Acceptance Speech Now – Says Buhari’s Minister

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, has told All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to begin to prepare his acceptance speech as the ‘president elect’.

The Minister made the statement via his social media page on Monday, expressing confidence that the former Governor of Lagos State would be announced as the winner of the Saturday, February 25th presidential election.

Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its part-time officials have been working around the clock since Saturday to collate and project results from each polling unit across the Nigerian states before giving its final verdict on the outcome of the polls.

Reacting to results announced so far, Sirika took to his Twitter on Monday to urge Tinubu to prepare his victory acceptance speech ahead of INEC’s declaration.

The Minister expressed disappointment with APC’s performance in some of its strongholds won by the opposition.

“Notwithstanding the irritation in Lagos, Osun, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Gombe and a couple of others, ‘President-elect’ Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu should write his acceptance speech now.

“But your Excellency, please make it short, we will sleep early tonight. ‘Zero tension’. Alhamdulillah,” Sirika tweeted.

Hours After Atiku’s Victory In Katsina, Gov Masari Sacks Top Aides

Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has approved the immediate termination of the appointments of a commissioner, two permanent secretaries and the chairman of the State’s Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Naija News reports that this is coming hours after the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, defeated the presidential candidate of Masari’s All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

Atiku polled 489,045 votes to beat his closest contender, Tinubu, who scored 482,283. The NNPP Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, came third with 69,385 votes, followed by Peter Obi of the Labour Party with 6,376 votes.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the Katsina State Government (SSG), Muntari Lawal, said that the affected officials include: Tasi’u Dahiru-Dandagoro, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport.

Others are the permanent secretary of Sustainable Development Goals, Fatima Ahmed, permanent secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aminu Waziri.

Masari also relieved the State’s Pilgrims Welfare Board chairman, Yusuf Barmo, of his appointment.

The SSG said the termination of their appointments was part of a move to make some strategic realignments and adjustments in the government.

“All the affected political and public office holders are directed to hand over all government properties in their possession to their respective permanent secretaries or the most senior directors as the case may be,” Lawal said.