Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, stated on Saturday that "Nigeria is a difficult country to traverse."

He spoke at a special prayer session at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque in Wuse 2, Abuja, as part of celebrations commemorating the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila's, 60th birthday.

The event was also attended by Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to the President, who represented the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

This was according to a statement on Saturday by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, titled: ‘60th birthday: Continue to Serve Nigeria, Says Buhari…Gbajabiamila Remains a Patriotic Nigerian – Tinubu.’

Buhari emphasized in his remarks to Gambari that Gbajabiamila, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, "ensured a strong working relationship with the executive arm of the government, contrary to the belief in some sectors that the National Assembly should be adversarial to the executive."

Gambari stated that Buhari has always advocated for a free and fair process, which is why the President was pleased when Tinubu emerged as the APC's presidential candidate through such a process.

Gambari also stated that the President wants to reassure Nigerians that he had no intention of violating the constitution in order to extend his stay in office.

Tinubu, on his part, described Gbajabiamila as a patriotic Nigerian who exploits his position to promote good government. He claimed that God has enabled him to have a beneficial impact on the lives of Nigerians through the legislative.

"May God provide you good health to work for Nigeria," he remarked. It is a complicated country that you must traverse. May Allah, in His immense kindness, provide us the stability, tranquility, and love we share for one another, as well as the patriotism that will make us proud of our country."

The Speaker also stated that he owes his political career to Tinubu and his mother, Hajiya Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila, who reared him. He also praised Salamatu, his wife, for organizing the prayer session.

"First and foremost, let me express my gratitude to the President through the CoS," he stated. Let me also thank my benefactor. Many people think that wherever you are, Allah has complete control. But Allah does not come down to give you authority; He comes down to guide and direct you. In doing so, He directed me to Asiwaju, and He did so not only to me, but also to others. May Allah continue to bless you (Tinubu) with that really rare ability."

OUR SHOP

The Speaker also thanked his colleagues in the House for their assistance and cooperation in carrying out his duties.