All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and presidential sapirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in a handshake with Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, as Governors; Oyetola of Osun and el-Rufai of Kaduna watch during a meting, in Abuja, Monday
2023: Tinubu reacts to VP Osinbajo’s declaration , says ‘I don’t have any grown up son’
Former Governor of Lagos State and presidential aspirant in the 2023 general election, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has reacted to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration, saying that the VP is not his son and so has the right to aspire to the highest office in the country.
Tinubu spoke shortly after a meeting with 12 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.
Recall that Osinbajo had earlier on Monday in Abuja ,officially declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election.
When asked about Osinbajo’s move Tinubu replied “I don’t have any son grown enough to make such declaration.”
“My mission here is to seek collaboration, support, and encouragement of my party, the APC, for my ambition to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a replacement for President Muhammadu Buhari after his tenure,” he added.
The Kebbi State Governor and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu, also refuted claims that Osinbajo’s declaration pits him with his political godson.
According to him, the development shows the quality of persons in the ruling APC.
“The fact that we have people in our party that express desire to lead the party into the highest office in electoral contest shows how much this our party has resonated with Nigerians and our party members,” the governor said.
Speaking on the purpose of the meeting, Bagudu said Tinubu met the governors to formally briefed them on his intention to lead Nigeria after Buhari’s regime in 2023.
“He met members of the PGF and stated what he has said publicly, his intention to seek the office of the President come 2023 which he had already announced before now.
“He briefed us on his reasons, thinking, and message. The governors graciously listened to him to digest everything he said. He acknowledged the role of the governors in the last convention of the party by helping in the evolution of the leadership that is acceptable and widely acknowledged by all party members.”
Bagudu noted that he responded on behalf of the governors and assured the presidential aspirant that they (governors) would discuss the matter during their meeting and make informed decision on his message.
