Inside Nigeria
2023: Tinubu Meets Buhari, Declares Presidential Ambition
The national leader of All Progress Congress (APC) , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, telling journalists later that the parley was to inform the President of his ambition to contest the 2023 Presidential election on the ticket of the ruling APC.
Tinubu told journalists that as a democrat, President Buhari did not stop him from attempting to pursue his life long ambition.
Answering questions on whether he has officially informed the President of his ambition, Tinubu said: “I will answer that with categorical yes. I’ve informed the President of my intention but I have not informed Nigerians yet. I’m still consulting. And I have no problem consulting.
“And I’ve not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult. You will soon hear. All you want to hear is the categorical declaration. You’ve gotten that truth from me that I have informed Mr. President of my ambition, I did not expect more answers than that.”
He declined to comment on what a race for the APC ticket between him and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo whose support groups have been mobilizing for his candidacy, would look like.
According to him, with what he did in Lagos in his time as governor, he has the capacity to rule Nigeria.
On Osinbajo’s potential ambition, Tinubu maintained that he would not discuss any individual.
Asked why he would not remain a kingmaker rather than being the king, he said there is nothing that stops a kingmaker from becoming the king unless he has committed murder.
The meeting is coming on the heels of fresh disagreements among leaders of the ruling party threatening the conduct of the long-awaited National Convention.
Tinubu is believed to be a front-runner in the race for the party’s presidential ticket.