2023: "I won’t turn down those asking me to contest for president" – Tinubu

Tinubu says he will not turn down the calls of his supporters asking him to run for the office of the president in 2023.

2023: "I won’t turn down those asking me to contest for president" – Tinubu
Bola Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says he will not turn down the calls of those asking him to contest for president in 2023.

Tinubu stated this after a meeting with leaders of the Northern Alliance Committee in Abuja on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the former Governor of Lagos said he would, however, make consultations before officially announcing a decision on the matter.

Tinubu stated: “I’m not going to turn them down but I will still effectively and widely consult, particularly brainstorm with my friends and find a date to come out openly to tell Nigerians.

"But the president is still in office. I don’t want to distract him from all the challenges that he might face today.

“So, don’t muddle the political water. Consult, make our programme known to the people later."

On his part, Lawal Munir, who led the members of the committee to the meeting, said the group’s visit is to let the APC chieftain know that they will work to project Tinubu positively in the northern region.

Lawal said: “The main reason is to let him know that there are people working for him and we are convinced everywhere in the northern part of this country. They are ready to receive him. And we’re working not only within the northern region but throughout Nigeria."

“My intention is to make sure we take him around and make sure that he wins the election when the time comes.”

The development comes months after the launch of the Southwest Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ‘23), a campaign group championing the candidacy of Tinubu for the 2023 presidency.