Tinubu declares intention to run for political office in 2019 if…

Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, over the weekend, gave hint of his future political plans, stating unequivocally that he would contest for an elective post in 2019 if any such vacancy existed.
He spoke in Akure where had joined other leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to witness the inauguration of Olu Akeredolu as the new governor of Ondo State.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, also generally acclaimed as the national leader of APC, said that he could either vie for the post of President or Senator if the political environment created any opportunity of the kind.
Responding to questions posed by media men on his future political ambitions, Tinubu retorted, ” “You see, there is nothing wrong with such ambition. It depends on the timing and the environment and what political leadership dictates.
‘’I will not brush aside such an aspiration….Maybe as a senator, maybe as a president, you cannot rule it out.

‘’How can I rule such a thing out? The opportunity to serve my country. But you only do that when there is vacancy.”

Admitting that the race might not be a straight course but one strewn with hurdles, he alluded to President Buhari’s experience and resilience.

“It has been historical. Even Buhari tried first, second, third, and fourth before he got it. Resilience, determination, and clarity of purpose is what is needed,” Tinubu said.

While urging continued support for ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, he called on Nigerians to appreciate that the nation had an honest leader in him (Buhari).

“An honest man disclosed to you that he is going on leave, he is going to have medical check-up, he has disclosed that he needed more time.

Read also: 2019: SGF serves notice of Buhari’s intention to run for presidency

‘’He has told us honestly that he needed medical attention. What his doctors will discuss after that is subject to experts, which should not be discussed until he is ready to disclose it. He told us that he cannot return now, what else do you want him to do?” Tinubu queried.

The weekend confession by Tinubu, analysts believe, may seriously jolt Buhari’s camp as the former is considered a major force behind the President’s ascension to power.

Though Tinubu denies any serious rifts within the ruling party, his call for the sack of the party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, over alleged manipulation in the Ondo gubernatorial primaries that saw rival candidate Akeredolu emerge as party choice, remains common knowledge.

The presidency, rather than oblige Tinubu’s request, called his bluff, with President Buhari personally giving Oyegun a pass mark for job well done.

Tinubu is also believed to have a deep grouse with the presidency over its claims, according to a biography written by Professor John Paden on Buhari, that the choice of Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to the ailing President was rather the making of Buhari and not Tinubu.

Aside Tinubu, the other known APC stalwart who has been quietly oiling his political machinery for an attempt at the presidency is Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of the country.

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