Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition.
Tinubu said this in an interactive session with State House Correspondents after meeting the president at Aso Rock on Monday.
“I’ve informed the president of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting,” he said.
Although there have been clear indications that he is interested in the highest office in the land, Tinubu has been avoiding direct comments on it.
While his support groups have been springing up across the country and many publicity materials have been in circulation, the APC National Leader refrained from direct comments.
In October, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos joined other Lagos APC members to launch the South-west Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ‘23), a campaign group championing the candidature of Tinubu for the 2023 presidency.
One month after, elder Statesman, Tanko Yakasai, said Tinubu sought his support for the nation’s number one job.
“I don’t want to join any (political) party but I can support a candidate of my choice. I have said it way back in 1951 that I will not be a party member but I will support a candidate of my choice,” Yakasai had said.
“He (Tinubu) just came to visit me but actually I have two of them (presidential aspirants) that I have earmarked right from the beginning and I made a vow that any one of them who came to ask for my support first is the person I would support. Tinubu is the first person He (Tinubu) did and he asked for my support.”
After a closed-door meeting with members of the Northern Alliance Committee (NAC) in December, Tinubu had said although he was still consulting, he would not turn down individuals and groups who urge him to contest for president.
“I’m not going to turn them down. But, I will still effectively and widely consult, particularly brainstorm with my friends and find a date to come out openly and tell Nigerians.”
With his comments at Aso Rock, the race for 2023 presidency has no doubt taken a new dimension.
