Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) says he has the capacity to rule the country.
Mr Tinubu, a sexagenarian, who on Monday declared his interest to join the next year’s election cited his antecedents in Lagos State as evidence of his capacity to man the exalted position.
“I have the confidence, the vision, the capacity to rule, build on the foundation of Mr. President and turn Nigeria better,” the APC leader declared. “I’ve done that with commitment and unyielding efforts in Lagos State.
“You’ve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing. The confusion, the drift of the past in PDP is being corrected and you can’t take away from that. As we are today, go back to the data on how many barrels of oil were we producing when we first came in and what it is today.”
HOW BUHARI REACTED
Addressing State House Correspondents in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the former governor said he came to inform the president of his life-long ambition.
“I’ve informed the President of my intention but I’ve not informed Nigerians yet,” he said. “He’s a democrat, he (Buhari) didn’t ask me to stop. He didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition. It’s a lifelong ambition.
AVOIDS DISCUSSING OTHER ASPIRANTS
Mr Tinubu avoided discussing other aspirants in his party including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is reportedly aspiring to succeed his principal Mr Buhari who has vowed never to disclose the identity of his favorite candidate.
“I don’t want to discuss individuals now,” he said, adding, “I must discuss myself.”
KINGMAKER BECOMING KING NOT UNLAWFUL
He says the perception of the public about him being a kingmaker, having played a vital role in the emergence of Mr Buhari as president, does not stop him from becoming a king.
“I’ve never seen the cap of a kingmaker before, that is the truth and I’ve never seen where it is written in the rule book, anywhere in any country, that a kingmaker cannot be a king, unless you commit murder.
“So, whatever is your attribute is your own opinion. Me, I want to pursue my ambition without the title of a kingmaker. You can write your literature and your story based upon your own perception,” he said.
