The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is confident of victory in Saturday's election. Speaking at the Seventh Bola Tinubu Colloquium to mark the former Governor of Lagos State's 63rd birthday, Gen. Buhari stated this is the brightest chance ever for the job he bidded for in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Gen. Buhari attributed his hope at the poll to the "selfless" efforts of Tinubu, who is the main motivator of the merger of major opposition parties into the mega party that the APC became. Gen Buhari, accompanied by his running mate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the party, came into the Eko Hotel venue as Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was delivering his address. His entry momentarily stopped the event. When Gen. Buhari, who was praised by all the speakers, took the podium, he expressed his appreciation to party leaders and members, saying: "I'm confident of victory." He stated though the process was awash with money, he was going into Saturday's election with hope, "because if I could win the primaries without spending money, I will certainly win on Saturday". Buhari admitted that this election is his first genuine attempt to aspire to becoming the president, alluding to the possibility that the journey would end at the State House. His words: "In the previous attempts, I only ended up at the Supreme Court." Gen. Buhari stated the APC had come to stay and that the party owes its success so far to Tinubu and former Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande. The APC standard bearer poured encomiums on Tinubu at whose instance the APC family and others was gathered yesterday, saying it was his selflessness and commitment to the cause that led to the successful merger and the formation of the APC. Friends and associates of Tinubu have used the occasion of his birthday in the last seven years to discuss Nigeria's problems and proffer solutions. Gen. Buhari said: "I have great respect for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; he does not consider himself; he is a selfless person who made a lot of sacrifice and commitment to ensure the merger was successful." In Tinubu's view, Saturday's election will determine Nigeria's fate in the years to come. He enjoined Nigerians to decide between positive change and continuing with the way the country has been governed in the last 16 years. Tinubu said: "There should be no sitting on the fence; do not try to avoid it. This is the time to believe in the need for change. I am filled with the expectation of a more just and prosperous future." Quoting from a speech he made during the last National Convention of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), where the decision to go ahead with the merger was reached, Tinubu said: "I see the need for change. If you have consideration for this nation that gave birth to you, you will equally see the need for change." Tinubu stated President Goodluck Jonathan had already seen the handwriting on the wall; "that is why he and his party were rejecting the use of card readers". He stated this is evident in the several desperate efforts to hold on to power. In the process, he added, the President is destroying the country's national institutions. The APC leader stated the time for "common sense revolution" had come. But, in calling for common sense revolution, he said, "I cannot advocate violence". He stated the kind of revolution he is calling for is a revolution to repair and restructure the nation “with our vote” . He added: "We must move forward to mold a better Nigeria, out of the clay we have in our hands, the PVC, which means, please vote for change." The event was attended by leaders of the party from far and near, and friends and associates of Tinubu.
