Afeez AzeezOne of the major highlights of the just concluded APC presidential primary 2022 is the time given to aspirants to convince the party delegates. Although many Nigerians already believed that the aspirant with the deepest pocket would have the day, the aspirants’ speeches got the attention of many Nigerian patriots at home and abroad as they became a central talking point on different social media platforms.
At the end of the contest with 2203 accredited delegates, Bola Ahmad Tinubu won by polling 1,271 votes. Rotimi Amaechi came second with 316 votes, while Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Ahmad Lawal, and Yahya Bello got 235, 152, and 47 votes to emerge 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively.
Some of the aspirants used the time they were given to address the delegates to announce their stepping down for other aspirants. We saw the likes of Godswill Akpabio, Kayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun, Dimeji Bankole, Abubakar Badaru, Ajayi Borrofice, and Uju Ken-Ohanenye step down for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. At the same time, Nicholas Felix withdrew from the race and declared support for Yemi Osinbajo.
Here is a list of aspirants that we considered to give the top 5 remarkable speeches on the night:
1. Yemi Osinbajo
As a man with many oratory awards, the oratory prowess of the Vice President has never been in doubt. If speeches win elections, Prof Yemi should clinch the presidential ticket on Tuesday night. He gave a speech that amplifies the idea of a new Nigeria with great possibilities and prosperity. He said,
Everything we can imagine or dream is within our reach; all that is left is for us to make the right decision tonight.”
His mind-pricking speech on Tuesday night re-affirmed Prof. Osinbajo as one of the greatest Nigerian political orators.
2. Rochas Okorocha
Rochas, the former governor of Imo State, eloquently delivered a highly persuasive speech at the arena. His pitch was convincing, and he projected the message of unity.
He blew his trumpet by itemizing his political experience and achievements. Rochas exhibited his linguistic prowess by switching to Hausa and Igbo to address the delegates.
3. Rotimi Amaechi
The former Minister of Transportation gave a speech that could be titled, ‘Don’t vote for me if I’m not qualified.‘ Amaechi was intentional and spoke passionately. He referred to himself as the most experienced of all the aspirants in the race. He took his time to correctly state the various capacities he had served.
4. Tunde Bakare
No doubt Pastor Bakare came prepared. At a time when many aspirants from the southwest were stepping down, he said,
The time is now, and the hour has come…I am not stepping down for anybody; I am here to step up…’
He articulated his ideas convincingly and promised to close the distance between the Nigerian dream and reality.
5. Ahmad Tinubu
Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, came with a speech that described him as a man who knew and could solve the country’s problems. He said,
I am a serious man with a serious purpose and will use it to benefit the people.’
The speech clearly stated his goals and vision but said less about his experience and achievements.
The night also witnessed the interesting biography in the speech of Jack Rich, the lexically-rich address of Ben Ayade, and the emotional speech of Ogbonnaya Onu, among many other remarkable speeches.
Moreover, the speeches gave insight into the fact that our leaders rarely hear the truth and accurate picture of the situation of things from their associates. The praises the president received from different speakers that night might not make him realize that he had scored below average in many vital sectors. They denied him the truth.
Add a comment