The presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sparked widespread excitement and banter with his unique congratulations to Argentine Lionel Messi who led his side to a career-defining World Cup triumph over France on Sunday.
Tinubu joined other world leaders in congratulating the Argentine but with a personal twist as he hailed him the “Emi Lokan of Doha”. He tweeted an image of the footballer wearing a cap bearing his insignia, in what has been hailed as a well-delivered banter.
His ’emi lokan’ message was referencing a phrase made popular by his speech in Ogun State during which he boldly asserted his superior qualification for the presidency.
“Emi lokan” is Yoruba for “I’m next” and by invoking the phrase, Tinubu acknowledged Messi’s elevation to the rank of great footballers who led their countries to similar conquest, including Diego Maradona of yesteryear Argentina.
The remark excited Nigerians and other football lovers who identified the drawn parallels and predicted a similar victory for the APC candidate at the polls in 2023.