Buhari stated this at the book launch titled “Working with Buhari,” and “Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy – 2015 – 2023 (Vols 1-5)” which focused on his eight years in office.

The book was written by his former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

The book “Working with Buhari” was written by a former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Buhari, Femi Adesina, and reviewed by Shola Oshunkeye, a former CNN Journalist of the Year.

Reports had surfaced indicating that the administration spent N169.4 billion in August to maintain the fuel pump price at N620.

While opposition parties seized on this revelation to criticize the Tinubu administration, the APC argued that these payments do not signify a return to subsidy.

The ruling party also condemned Phrank Shaibu, Media Aide to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for spreading “fake news” and engaging in other efforts to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The APC clarified that the government’s intervention in fuel pricing aims to ensure some level of price stability and predictability, which is different from the past fuel subsidy regime.

Felix Morka, the APC spokesman, accused Shaibu of making misleading statements and not understanding key economic and governance issues.

He attributed Shaibu’s comments to “post-electoral traumatic stress disorder” resulting from his boss’ electoral defeats.

Morka defended President Tinubu’s economic policies, emphasizing that they aim to remove long-standing distortions, accelerate economic recovery, and promote prosperity for Nigeria.

He highlighted the President’s appointments of experienced professionals in key economic institutions and the government’s initiatives in various sectors.

Morka also addressed diplomatic issues, including the Visa ban on Nigerians by the UAE authorities, diplomatic rapprochement with UAE authorities, and President Tinubu’s interactions with other world leaders, such as President Joe Biden.

In summary, the APC rejected claims of a fuel subsidy reintroduction, criticized PDP’s allegations, and defended President Tinubu’s economic policies and diplomatic initiatives.

As Fani-Kayode predicted, Lagos State will confront the toughest test and battle regarding the state’s identity.

He asked Yorubas and those of good conscience to support Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday in a tweet.

He wrote: “On Sat. 18th March Lagos State will face the stiffest test & greatest challenge to its efficacy & identity since it came into existence. The question of who owns Lagos will finally be determined & the guests that seek to claim Yoruba land as their own will be put in their place.

“I urge every son & daughter of the Yoruba together with all men & women of goodwill to come out on that day and vote for @jidesanwoolu who has proved that he is not only a true omo-oluabi but also a first-class leader and administrator.”

In Lagos State, there has been competing between Yorubas and Igbos since the presidential election.

This came after Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), won the state of Lagos.

After the election, a market in Lagos State with a large Igbo population caught fire, and many assumed political thugs were to blame.

The Head of the EU delegation, Naret Hricka, disclosed that they visited the campaign office as part of their engagements with political parties and stakeholders preparatory to the deployment of an election observer mission for the 2023 general elections.

Hricka told Lalong that the EU Election Observer Mission is primarily going to be in the country to observe the conduct of the elections without any form of interference.

She also assured the DG that the team would operate according to the guidelines of INEC and the laws of Nigeria in the spirit of partnership for sustaining democracy in the country and globally.

While receiving the team, the Plateau State governor said the APC as a party was open to receiving and working with all foreign and domestic observers who are considered key partners in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

This is even as he described APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a democrat who plays by the rules and believes that politics is about the people whose will and choices must be respected.

He said, “Together with his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima, the APC Presidential Candidate Bola Tinubu has continued to reach out to the electorate across the nation with the message of hope and restoration while shunning every act and utterance that negates the fundamental principles of democracy.

The APC-led administration under President Muhammadu Buhari has assured time and again that elections will be free, fair and credible as part of its legacy to deepening democracy and building confidence among the people.”

The campaign council DG highlighted the passage of the Electoral Act and its signing by President Muhammadu Buhari as one of the key actions that validate his commitment to ensuring democratic growth and good governance.

Lalong also told the team that the APC has consistently abided by the outcome of elections even when it loses to other parties.

In attendance at the meeting were PCC Deputy Director of Operations, Adams Oshiomhole; former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; APC’s only female presidential aspirant, Uju Chinenye; PCC Secretary, Abiodun Faleke and Chief of Staff to the DG, Yakubu Dati.

The European Union Delegation was led by Naret Hricka, Media expert, Hannah Roberts, Political and Electronics Experts, Frederik Sohumann, Wette Bakken and Osaro Odemwingie.

Buhari noted that the kind of leadership that thrives on intimidation will not benefit the nation.

This was contained in a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the President gave this assurance when he received some Governors of the All Progressives Congress, led by Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, at the State House in the nations capital, Abuja.

Buhari stated that under his leadership he will continue to respect Nigerians by ensuring that their votes count and the people’s voice matter in choosing political leaders at different levels.

He further assured Nigerians that the APC will continue to bequeath strong political institutions that reflect their choices, through non-interference in elections, citing outcome of polls in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States as cogent indicators.

The Chairman of the faction, The Osun Progressives,    Mr Lowo Adebiyi, who disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Osogbo, however, said Aregbesola’s faction would vote for the APC on Saturday.

At the state APC governorship primary in February,  Aregbesola’s faction  supported  Moshood Adeoti, who was the Secretary to the State Government when the minister was the  governor of  the state.

After Oyetola was declared winner of the primary, Adeoti  headed for the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is challenging the  governor’s eligibility to contest the primary, while still serving as  a member of  the National Caretaker Committee of the party

The court is expected to give its judgment on the suit on Thursday (today). Adebiyi expressed hope that Adeoti would win the  case on Thursday.

He said, “We have a court judgment coming up tomorrow (Thursday) by the grace of God and we are going to win that case for Alhaji Moshood Adeoti to represent the APC (at the governorship poll). We are going to vote for APC on Saturday. We are in the party.”

Asked if the group has been canvassing  votes, Adebiyi said, “We are doing our best but we are not mobilised. The governor’s side refuses to mobilise us, but we have told our people to vote for APC.

The APC will win by the grace of God and the support of the people. We are all concerned. We cannot be in the APC and vote for another party.”

But when contacted, the Media Adviser to the Osun  State APC Chairman, Kola Olabisi, said there was no merit in the case instituted against Oyetola by Aregbesola’s faction.

He said, “Ideally no one is expected to comment on any issue before the court of law. We know that there is nothing in that case that will merit Adeoti and his people to be celebrating. We expect the court to say that Adeoti and his people have no case.

“So, the truth will prevail tomorrow and we are confident that Oyetola will carry the day”

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, and the governorship candidate of the party for Osun State,  Mr Lasun Yusuff, on Wednesday berated the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju  Bola Tinubu, over his comment at his party’s rally on Tuesday.

Tinubu at the grand rally for the re-election of  Oyetola on Tuesday,  said, “They said some are in Labour (Party). They will remain labourers till death.”

Obi, who was in Osogb to support  Yusuff at the governorship rally organised by the party, while addressing the LP members, advised them that such a comment should be returned with love.

The APC national Leader had on Sunday announced a former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as his vice-presidential candidate.

His choice of Shettima who is a Muslim as running mate has, however, sparked widespread criticism, especially from the Christian community in the country.

Reacting, Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State, said the challenges facing Nigeria require placing competence in governance above religious sentiments.

This was contained in a statement by Tinubu Campaign Organisation spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday.

According to the statement, “Religion, ethnicity, and region cannot always and fully determine our path.

“To forge ahead as a nation towards development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter, more than reducible demographics.”

The APC flag bearer expressed his absolute respect and regard for both the Christian and Muslim faiths in the country.

He stated that by his selection, he was not oblivious of the religious and ethnic sensitivities of the nation but made the choice in the overriding interest of the country.

“I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate,” the APC flagbearer said. “Just and noble people have talked to me about this; some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community, others said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.

“Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment.”

Tinubu added, “As President, I hope to govern this country towards uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.

“May I say this to all of you, especially those disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore the religious concerns and ethnic sensitivities of our people. Taking them into due consideration is an important part of good and able governance.”

Oyebanji, who is the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, won in 15 out of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state. He polled 187,057 votes.

However, his closest challenger, Mr Segun Oni, of the Social Democratic Party, scored 82,211 votes while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bisi Kolawole, scored 67,457 votes. Kolawole won his LGA, Efon, where he scored 6,303 to beat APC’s 4,012 and SDP’s 339 votes.

Meanwhile, our correspondents who monitored the exercise across the state reported that in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, residents trooped to the streets to celebrate the victory in the dead of the night. At the Government House in the Oke Ayoba area of the town, other APC governors, led by the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, monitored the exercise.

Similarly, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, where Oyebanji hails from, residents also began celebrating the victory of their kinsman at the poll.

Also in Ikere-Ekiti, where Oyebanji’s running mate, Mrs Monitade Afuye, hails from, residents also began celebration as the results were announced by the respective local government Returning Officers.

In different parts of the state also, some members of the ruling party celebrated the victory, describing it as well-deserved.

Prior to the announcement of the results at the collation centre, all the results from the 16 local government areas had been uploaded on the Result Viewing Portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, known as IReV.

The commission promised to adopt the electronic transmission of results, even though it would be complemented by manual transmission.

As of the time of filing this report at 2.10am, final collation was still ongoing, a precursor to the final announcement by the state’s Returning Officer.

However, there were isolated cases of violence in some polling units. For example, in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area, the APC scored 9,679 votes ahead of SDP’s 4,577 and PDP’s 4,474 votes. The Returning Officer for the LGA, Prof Gbolagade Jonathan, reported that there was violence in Units 5 and 7, where he said some hoodlums from nowhere carted away the ballot boxes, after firing gunshots.

Also, in Ikere LGA, the APC also won with 12,086 votes against the PDP and SDP, which scored 3,789 and 1943 respectively. The Returning Officer, Prof Emmanuel Ajava, announced that votes in Unit 2 of the LGA were cancelled due to violence.

Although the governorship election held across the 16 Local Government Areas and was relatively peaceful, incidents of vote-buying characterised the poll.

Candidates and agents of some political parties also alleged inducement of voters to deprive them of the opportunity of making their free choices.

It was gathered that some party agents were arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged vote-buying at a polling station at Ola Oluwa Grammar School, Ado Ekiti during the election.

A source, who spoke on the development, said the suspects were apprehended with a bag of cash allegedly being used to induce voters.

“One of the suspects, who claimed to be a party agent, was arrested and has been taken into custody,” the source said.

Kabir Ibrahim Masari, who hails from the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, is said to be a “place holder” until party stakeholders agree on the suitable vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

The move by Tinubu and the APC was to meet the statutory requirement and beat the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties to submit the names of presidential candidates and their running mates.

However, Tinubu will today, June 16, meet President Muhammadu Buhari as consultation continues on the issue of his running mate.

A party source said, according to ThisDay: “The name of the running mate submitted would be changed for another northern politician in the next few weeks. The one submitted is just holding the ticket in trust for another candidate to be picked by Tinubu and the party in the next few weeks.

“The candidate is still widely consulting, because the issues around the choice of running mate are many and he is yet to address them all. So, he is still asking for more time to look into it all – whether he is running a Muslim-Muslim or a Muslim-Christian ticket.

“He personally thinks there’s a need for more consultation and that’s what he is doing. The debate on the choice of deputy has assumed a level that is currently greater than the party and the candidate, hence the need for comprehensive consultation, which is what he is doing,” a reliable party source hinted last night.”

The former Lagos State Governor, stated this while reacting to his emergence as the flag bearer for his party in 2023 Presidential election.

He also said Nigeria is back on track following his victory at the just concluded APC National Convention at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, please forgive me for taking you this long. I didn’t expect to win, I must be intoxicated for victory,” the APC while mounting the podium to give his acceptance speech.

“We are confident, courageous that this nation is back on track. All our state governors here present, it is not my job alone.”

Tinubu called for unity among other contestants, saying the common goal was to defeat the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He added,  “The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I owe no grudges or grievance, let us all agree to join hands in defeating the PDP.”

The APC Chieftain had won the election with  a total of 1,271 votes beating Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who each had 235 and 316 votes.