How Tinubu, Famed Godfather of Politics, Threw his Hat in the Presidency Ring
Bola Tinubu, a two-term governor of Lagos state, and principality in modern Nigerian politics made a bold public declaration for the country’s presidency shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, January 10, 2022.
The 69-year old politician played a crucial role in the All Progressives Congress strategy, which ushered in Buhari’s government in 2015. It was the first time an opposition party would displace an incumbent (the Peoples Democratic Party) since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
Questions have been asked about Tinubu’s health. He travelled to London in July 2021 for knee surgery. He spent three months there, where he received several APC politicians, including the president. But pundits say the surgery, and other recent interventions were necessary proactive activities to prepare the man for the biggest political undertaking of his career. He scores the final goal if he wins, dwarfing the achievements of many before him, including the legendary Obafemi Awolowo, considered the bonafide leader of South West Politics. But should Tinubu lose, he faces the risk of demystification.
Yet he’s the first major Nigerian figure to declare his intention. The 2023 presidential elections are not until February 18, 2023, with the political parties expected to run primaries between late 2022 and early 2023.
This is Tinubu’s first public admittance of his intention to run for presidency following years of speculation. In October, the minister of works who also succeeded Tinubu as Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, said in an interview with Channels TV that he met Tinubu, and the latter said he would make his presidential decision public in January. Fashola, a cerebral lawyer who is trusted and respected by many, is one of the several Tinubu boys Nigerians expect could throw their hats in the ring. Others include Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and Yemi Osinbajo who is Buhari’s vice president. There have been credible speculation the governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele is also eyeing Nigeria’s highest office
“I have categorically informed Mr president of my intention to run for president”, Tinubu said at the statehouse on Monday, well dressed for the occasion. Surprisingly, the only thing missing from the ‘big occasion’ was the big men who usually flanked the ‘Jagaban’. For this stage, he chose to make it simple.
True to his words, the APC chieftain has made his decision public and has put to rest debate about whether he would run for office or support the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, whom some have touted to be a potential presidential candidate of the ruling party.
“I have no problem consulting, but I have not set a parameter of the extent of limitation of how many people I want to consult”, Tinubu added in his short statement.
Before his official declaration, Tinubu seemed to have been doing the consultation. He took his 69th birthday and annual colloquium to Kano for the first time, although he described it as a show of unity. Honourable Abdulmumin Jubrin has been acting as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Group coordinator with a strong network in Kano state.
It is not known yet when Tinubu will inform Nigerians of his intention as he claimed his declaration was to only the president. Neusroom reached out to his spokesperson for comment and put several calls to him, but he gave no response.
The presidency will be Tinubu’s third attempt at political office in Nigeria after he successfully won the Senate seat in 1992 and twice won the governorship in 1999 and 2003.
Barely 24 hours after Tinubu informed Buhari of his intention, the governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, also visited Aso Rock to tell Buhari of his presidential ambition.
For Tinubu, though, contesting for the presidency is what he describes as a lifelong ambition, and despite being a kingmaker, he is committed to his goal. He refused to discuss other politicians within the APC whose support groups have been drumming up presidential campaigns in their names like Yahaya Bello and Professor Osinbajo.
“I must discuss myself. I have the confidence, the vision, the capacity to rule, build on the foundation of Mr President, and turn Nigeria better.”
