While paying a courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu, in his palace yesterday, he declared that Tinubu was the incoming president.

The APC campaign train was greeted by a sizable crowd of party members and supporters when it arrived in Bauchi, the state capital of Bauchi.

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the House of Representatives, gave an explanation of why the North should support Tinubu and claimed that doing so would demonstrate their allegiance to the president and the ruling party.

He said Tinubu had stood behind President Buhari in two previous elections, adding that it was time the supporters of the president also rallied around him for the February poll.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yakubu Ajaka said the days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were numbered in the State House, advising Governor Bala Mohammed to prepare his handover notes.

Urging the people to reject PDP, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, said the party had abandoned the Northeast to the Boko Haram insurgency.

Before kicking off the rally at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Buhari, Tinubu, APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu and other party leaders paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi.

The president was led to the ancient palace by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who thanked him for the Kolomani oil wells at the boundary of Bauchi and Gombe states.

President Buhari tendered his stewardship, saying: “In 2003 and 2012, I visited all the 774 local government areas in this country, and in 2019 when I was contesting for the second term, I visited all the states.

“So, there, I made the promise and the pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability.”

The Emir thanked the president for the visit and urged politicians to play politics without bitterness.

While commending the governor for ensuring a level playing ground for all political parties in the state, the royal father wished the president a safe trip.