Bola Badmus – Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 71st birthday, describing him as a “visionary, consistent, loyal and enigmatic master strategist” whose democratic credentials were scholarly materials for study in political economy.
Tinubu, who is also a former governor of Lagos State, will turn 71 on Wednesday, March 29.
Sanwo-Olu said this in a congratulatory message issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, “Nigeria is blessed to have Tinubu as her next democratically elected president from May 29, given his intellect, development-focused and detribalised disposition towards governance.”
Sanwo-Olu, while paying tributes to qualities in Tinubu, noted that not many leaders in contemporary Nigeria were as detribalised as the President-elect, saying his heart accommodates every section of the country.
According to him, Tinubu’s large heart, accommodating and listening nature endeared him to millions of Nigerians who filed out to vote for him in the February 25 presidential poll, declaring that the former governor had donated the greater part of his adult life for service to humanity, Lagos State and Nigeria.
The governor stated that Tinubu’s many contributions to democracy and good governance had helped the political and democratic trajectory of Nigeria since 1999, saying that “it is also on record that he stood firmly on the side of the Nigerian people, even at the risk of losing his life and personal belongings during the dark days of the military junta.
“On behalf of my darling wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, as well as leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I wish the nation’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, happy 71st birthday.
“At 71, Asiwaju has attained the age, that what matters most is the legacy to bequeath to people after he and God have blessed him with a great opportunity to take the mantle of leadership of Nigeria, and chart the right path of progress for the people of Nigeria.
“Asiwaju Tinubu has donated the greater part of his adult life for service to humanity, Lagos State and Nigeria. His many contributions to democracy and good governance have helped the political and democratic trajectory of Nigeria since 1999. It is also on record that he stood firmly on the side of the Nigerian people, even at the risk of losing his life and personal belongings during the dark days of the military junta.
“He fought tirelessly with other progressives and pro-democracy activists during the annulment of the June 12 struggle to end the military interregnum and enthroned democracy, which we all enjoy today.
“In the political history of Nigeria, Asiwaju will forever be a reference point. He has made and redefined the socio-political history of Nigeria by contributing his quota to the survival of democracy and uninterrupted civilian administration in Nigeria for 24 years. His emergence as President-elect is a reward for his hard work and contributions to the country based on his political astuteness, courage, and sagacity.
“As he is celebrating his 71st birthday, we wish him all the love and care in the world and pray that God will give him wisdom, knowledge, sound health and good things that he will use to steer the ship of the country and navigate Nigeria’s development to the desired place as he becomes Nigeria’s President from May 29, 2023,” Sanwo-Olu said.
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