2023: I want to be President and I’m not joking about it – Ahmed Bola Tinubu

* Seeks Oba Ewuare II prayers

By Kingsley Abavo, Benin

Former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has unequivocally declared that come 2023, he wants to be President, and he is not joking about it.

This is as he asserts that he was eminently equiped with the requisite experience and qualifications, to be the President; having been auditor – general, treasurer of Mobil Petroleum, and two times Governor of Lagos State.

The Frontline aspirant made the declaration on Saturday in Benin-City, Edo State Capital, during his courtesy visit to the Monarch, Oba Ewuare II when he came to canvass support of APC delegates from the State.

He pointed out that he worked so hard for the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as President, but Nigeria needs re- engineering for the better hence his aspiration.

“I supported and worked hard for Buhari to become President. I am a very competent individual. I served in Mobil as the Auditor-General and the Treasurer. I have helped to build great institutions and I have been Governor of Lagos State two times.”

When he assumed office as Governor of Lagos State, her Internal Generated Revenue was merely N600m but due to the solid foundation he laid, it has risen to N446b monthly, he asserted.

The Presidential hopeful said he could have quietly entered Benin and sneak away; but he thought it important to visit the Monarch for his prayers.

Responding, Oba Ewuare II said Tinubu who incidentally is an in-law to the royal family, needed not to preach to him about his worth as they are no stranger to each other.

Though the Benin Throne is not partisan, like he had always told politicians, the Palace would consult God and the ancestors to give Nigeria who the cap fits.

“Once the person is revealed, we will focus our prayers towards him,” Oba Ewuare II said.

“Your remarks are like preaching to the converted or the Pope. We are interested in who becomes the President of Nigeria. Hence, the throne prays for good leadership.

“We are praying for you; if you are eventually given the ticket of APC and become President of the country, do the things that will make you sit at the right hand of God. Do not forget those of us who are praying for you.”

He advised that whoever emerges President of the country should concentrate on specific areas of needs confronting the nation and achieve tangible results than trying to impress on all areas and fail.

In the Presidential aspirant’s entourage were former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the governorship candidate of the party during the September 19, 2020 poll, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; former deputy Governor, Pius Egberamwen Odubu; former National Assembly member, Hon. Samson Osagie amongst other chieftains of the Party.