Tinubu, Alake of Egbaland, his Olori and Chief of Staff to Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, Shuaib Salis
2023: I told Buhari I want to step in his shoes, not on his toes —Tinubu
The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, stormed Ogun State in continuation of nationwide consultations for his presidential ambition.
He said that he told President Muhammadu Buhari that he wanted to step in his shoes and not on his toes.
He disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the Palace of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta when he paid him a visit to seek his royal blessing on his presidential ambition.
He told the monarch that his aim is to become the President of Nigeria.
“I clocked 50 on the seat of governor,” he said.
“I have done crusades to return Nigeria to democracy rule, before I started hearing the voices of the people that I should contest for President, I have thought about it deeply, but I cannot think about it alone.
“The people said, this time around I should run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I told them that we have elected someone there and I don’t want to pull the carpet from his feet.
“I want to seek the permission of the Kabiyesi, I want to seek his blessings and his prayers and seek the blessings of other chiefs.
“I’m here to tell you (Alake) that, I want your prayers and I want to inform you that I want become the President.”
In his response, Oba Gbadebo welcomed the presidential hopeful and prayed that God would grant his desires of becoming the President.
On his way out, Tinubu told journalists that he will make Nigerians happy if elected president.
He, however, admitted that the country is passing through difficult times.
Tinubu had during his visit to Buhari at the Aso Villa in January declared his ambition to succeed Buhari in 2023.
The former governor of Lagos State, who arrived at the palace of the Alake at 4.35pm, went straight into a private meeting with the monarch.
He had earlier paid a similar visit to the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona at his Ijebu-Ode palace.
Tinubu with the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu Ode, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Addressing the monarch, Tinubu said, he decided to express his intention to Buhari following calls from his supporters and friends to run for President.
The APC leader said, “I told the President I want to replace you and I don’t want to offend you. I told the President that I want to step in his shoes but not step on his toes.
“I told him as the number one citizen, I should start my Presidential bid by informing you first, and he (Buhari) told me to inform the whole world, and I have done that.”
The former Lagos Governor, who is the Aare Ago of Egbaland, said he was the palace to seek the support and blessings of the monarch towards his 2023 presidential ambition.
He was accompanied by Prof. Tunde Samuel, Chief Kemi Nelson, former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, James Odunbaku, Dr. Kola Kasali, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Senator Gbenga Obadara and Senator Anthony Adefuye as well as host of leaders and coordinators of various groups clamouring for ‘Tinubu for President’ in 2023.
The Punch/ The Nation /Premium Times
