President Muhammadu Buhari has opened up on why he openly displayed his ballot paper after voting for his preferred candidate on Saturday in a clear violation of the electoral act.
According to the President, he voted for Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) because he is his favourite.
Buhari pointed out that he had openly declared his support for Tinubu during campaigns across states, including Sokoto, Katsina, and Nasarawa.
The president, alongside Aisha, his wife, cast their votes at their polling unit in Daura, Katsina State.
The president and his wife voted at polling unit 003, Sarkin Yarn A ward, at about 10.06 am on Saturday.
Buhari said he had always supported Tinubu, noting that displaying his ballot paper with his thumbprint for the candidate was to demonstrate his allegiance to the party.
“I am very impressed because I have seen how the people turned up. I am very impressed and very happy,” he said.
”Well, the candidate I voted for I have already mentioned him in many states in Nasarawa, Katsina, and Sokoto.
“All over the place I mentioned my favourite candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, and I believe my constituency will elect him 100 percent.
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He added that; ‘Nigerians should make sure that they are respected; that means that the candidate they want to vote for, they are allowed to vote for him.
‘It is a pity there is only one female candidate from Adamawa State, so the electorate should kindly follow our party.’
Speaking on how he felt not appearing on the ballot as a candidate, the first since 2003, he said, ‘It is very exciting. I look at those who are competing and some of them are so agitated and they didn’t know that I tried three times and ended up in the Supreme Court three times.
‘The fourth time, I said ‘God dey’, and God sent technology, the Permanent Voter Card. So, no fraudulent person can claim anything.’
In a rare show of loyalty, President Muhammadu Buhari, had on Saturday in Daura, Katsina State, displayed his ballot paper, with thumb print for All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying after campaigning for the political leader in many parts of the country, he had reaffirmed on his preferred successor.
President Buhari, who cast his vote alongside his wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, and other family members, at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, said it was a pity that only one female emerged as gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Aisha Ahmed Binani, urging support for the candidate.
The president assured that he had always supported the candidature of Asiwaju Tinubu, and showing his ballot paper to the media and the public further showed his commitment to the party and the national leader.