EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu didn’t expect Osinbajo to run for Presidency 

Frontline Presidential aspirant and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has briefly hinted why he met with members of the Progressives Governors Forum on Monday in Abuja.

This online magazine reported earlier that Tinubu met with the APC governors at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, hours after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared his intention to succeed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in 2023.

The governors in attendance include Governors Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Mai Mala Binu of Yobe, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, amongst others.

The meeting came less than 24 hours after Osinbajo hosted the governors at his Aguda House residence on Sunday evening; where he disclosed his intention to run for the APC presidential ticket.

But briefing newsmen after the meeting, the former Lagos State Governor noted that he met with the governors to seek their support for his ambition to become Nigeria’s president.

“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 said.

When asked about Osinbajo’s declaration and 2023 ambition, Tinubu said, “I don’t have any son grown up enough to make such declaration.”

Speaking with Mouthpiece NGR on Monday, a source close to the APC leader revealed that former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, might leave the party if he fails to clinch the ticket. 

Osinbajo who is understood as one of Tinubu’s beneficiaries, after months of speculations, rumours and sponsored advertisement, opened up today on his desire to succeed his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2023.

He said, “I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great peoples.

“Which is why I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

Osinbajo was a former Attorney General of Lagos state and Commissioner for Justice while Tinubu served as the state Governor and a pivotal member of the Tinubu’s dynasty. 

However, the controversial declaration, according to feelers in Bourdillon, has rattled Tinubu and the former Governor is making plans to exit the party should he lose at the primaries.

“Baba didn’t expect that Osinbajo would make the declaration at that time. Even though reports were getting to Tinubu about Osinbajo’s rumoured ambition, everyone here thought the whole publicity stunt would die down,” a source stated.

Another source stated that while Tinubu is ready to slug it out with any aspirant at the primaries, he won’t hesitate to leave the party if the outcome of the election does not favour him.

“Where we are going next after that, we don’t know but dumping the party is the plan B,” he revealed. 

A few months ago, Tinubu announced his intent to run for the office during a visit to the Aso Villa.

Asked what the response of the president was to his ambition, the former two-time Lagos State governor replied, “That’s our business. He is a democrat. He didn’t ask me to stop. He didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition, which is a lifelong ambition.

“So, why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. That’s it.”

The APC leader stated, “I don’t want to discuss individuals now. 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. 

I’ve done that with commitment, you know, in Lagos State. You’ve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing.”

Meanwhile there are indications that two candidates from the same political base might affect the chances of both Tinubu and Osinbajo.