I want to succeed Buhari, but don’t want to step on his toes – Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Saturday revealed how he had told President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition to succeed him in 2023 but was not ready to offend him.

He said this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when he met with first class and paramount rulers in the state as part of ongoing consultations on his 2023 presidential ambition.

• Why I have good relationship with my successor, Gov Zulum
• Late start, vote buying, malfunctioning BVAS mar FCT council polls

Tinubu and his entourage from Lagos first visited the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu-Ode.

Our correspondent reports that Tinubu during his brief meeting with the Awujale sought the support of the monarch over his presidential bid.

From Ijebu-Ode, the Tinubu team headed for Abeokuta, where he met with the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at the Ake Palace.

Governor Dapo Abiodun was represented by his Chief of Staff, Shuaib Salis, at the meeting.

Speaking at Ake palace, Tinubu, who holds the chieftaincy title of Aare Ago of Egbaland, noted that he had served as a senator and a governor, but his aim was to become the President of Nigeria.

He said, “I have done crusades to return Nigeria to democratic 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 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. As the number one citizen, I should start my bid by informing you (Buhari) first, and he told me to inform the whole world, and I have done that,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu said he visited the palace because he wanted to seek royal prayers and the blessings of other chiefs.

Responding, the first class monarch prayed for Tinubu that God would grant his desire of becoming the president.

He expressed optimism that, if Tinubu became the president, Nigeria would be better for it.

While answering questions from journalists later, Tinubu promised to make Nigerians happy if elected president, just as he admitted that the country was passing through difficult times.

“My message to all Nigerians is that there will always be difficult times, there will be times for joy. We are navigating Nigeria, it is a very difficult and witty period, we will survive it, we will be happy, we will hold on to the hope that Nigeria will be united, prosperous, and be sufficient,” he said.