IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, has hailed the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over his inclusion in the Time’s magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.
Tinubu became the President-elect after emerging winner of the February 25th presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Our own ASIWAJU @officialABAT is one of the 100 most influential People in the world by Time magazine. He made it under the category of LEADERS. Enormous respect. Let the wailing of losers begin,” Keyamo, who is also a spokesperson for Tinubu’s campaign, said on Thursday.
Time magazine while selecting Tinubu as one of its 100 most influential people of 2023 said winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat.
“But Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has had nearly two decades to prepare. Called Jagaban, or “leader of the warriors,” by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March.
“His campaign slogan, “It’s my turn,” was a nod to his role as a longtime political power broker. Tinubu helped restore the country’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos.”
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with the majority of votes cast in 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT.
The APC candidate polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat fellow contenders – Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 6,984,520 votes, Labour Party’s Peter Obi had 6,101,533 votes to come third and candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso with 1,496,687 votes.
“But Tinubu’s win with the ruling All Progressives Congress Party came in a fraught election and by a slim margin over Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
“It was the first time Nigerian voters contended with a third-party candidate, and many discontented young Nigerians yearning for change pinned their hopes on Obi.
“Marred by allegations of intimidation and vote rigging, the outcome of the ballot is being challenged in court,” Time magazine wrote.
Reacting to Keyamo’s tweet, some Nigerians bashed him while others praised him for it.
@firstladyship said she doesn’t think the lawyer and politician read the article on Tinubu before taking to Twitter to post about it.
“I don’t think that Festus Keyamo actually read that Time Magazine’s Time100 Article. It’s such a terrible PR. If he did, he will delete his vainglorious post & apologize to his boss.
“Festus is why comprehension must be taught in Nigerian schools. Time actually disgraced Tinubu.”
@ebubensuskaesq wrote: “This is not the “honor” you think it is: Guess who else was once named “Man of the Year” by this same Times Magazine? Adolf Hitler”
“HITLER also made it, so was Pablo Escobar. Tinubu is following the footsteps of his mentors,” Kendo wrote. While @Duntos16 said the article is unflattering.
“Festus! @fkeyamo This article is not at all flattering 🤣🤔 @TIME @astharajvanshi Thank you for the very cautious, no doubt highly solicited for article. Petition is in court. Tinubu has a drug conviction in the US and will have his day in the Nigerian court. A great story to…”
@RtmSaka1 who is elated about the development tweeted: “This is so sweet to see! Some ppl will be in severe pa!n now 😂😂😂”