Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to contest the presidency in the 2023 general election.
Tinubu spoke to state house correspondents on Monday after a meeting with Buhari at the presidential villa.
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Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had in 2021 said Tinubu would make his intention whether to run or not for President known in January 2022.
Of recent, posters and billboards advertising the presidential bid of Tinubu, who was Lagos governor from May 1999 to May 2007, have been seen in major cities, including Lagos and Abuja, to the disapproval of some Nigerians
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had in October 2021 inaugurated the South-West Agenda 2023, a political movement mobilising support for Tinubu to contest the 2023 presidential election.
The former governor of Lagos, however, said he is still consulting and will inform Nigerians officially.
He stated;
I’ve informed the president of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting.
According to him, the President is a democrat and therefore, has not asked him to stop the pursuit of his ambition which for him is life-long.
The APC leader and former governor of Lagos State stressed that he has the confidence, vision, and capacity to build on the foundation laid by President Buhari to turn around the fortunes of the country.
At some point, reporters asked him what it feels like to be in the presidential race with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who has also been tipped to succeed the President.
Tinubu, in his reaction, declined to give a definite response, saying he would not speak about individuals.
Rather, he insisted that the drift and failures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were being corrected by the present administration.
This, he stated, has been achieved through the provision of infrastructure such as rail lines and good roads which have impacted the frequency of fatal crashes and deaths etc.
The APC national leader also rejected claims in some quarters that he should remain a kingmaker and not venture into the race as a king.
While stressing that he was unwavering in his ambition to become president, Tinubu gave the assurance that the ruling party’s national convention would hold properly.
Tinubu, however, believes the President will determine whether or not it will be conducted next month, as leader of the party.
