I’ll Run for 2019 Presidential Election If… – Bola Tinubu Opens Up, Talks on APC, Buhari’s Health
All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has
revealed an interest in the job of the President of Nigeria currently
held by Muhammadu Buhari.
He also spoke about the ruling APC, saying there was no rift
whatsoever among its leaders, and accused the media of concocting
stories to suggest the contrary
While speaking on the sidelines of last weekend’s swearing-in of
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in Akure, the All Progressives
Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, revealed that
he could contest for a political office in the near future including
the Presidency whenever the right opportunity presents itself.
The former Lagos state governor who also chastised public
criticisms of the management of the health condition of President
Muhammadu Buhari, urged Nigerians to put aside disbelief and pray for
the continued good health of the president.
According to Vanguard, Tinubu, who witnessed the inauguration of
his onetime protégée, who he ironically fell out with last year, also
dismissed insinuations of squabbling in the leadership of the APC.
When asked by reporters at the inauguration ground the possibility
of seeking political office, including the Presidency, he said: “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.”
He alluded to President Buhari’s several attempts at the presidency
before finally winning elections into that office in 2015. “It has been
historical, even, that Buhari tried first, second, third, and fourth
before he got it. Resilience, determination, and clarity of purpose,” he
said.
Speaking on the health condition of the President, Tinubu said
Buhari had been very honest in disclosing that he needed medical
attention. “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.
‘’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?,” he said.
Tinubu advised Nigerians to pray for the President, insisting that President Buhari was alive and healthy. “Only
God gives life, and only God can take it. The man that I have seen is
well, alive. We should promote welfare, praying for the well being of
our leaders," he said.