Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says he poured out his mind before the APC’s presidential primary because he felt there was a gang-up against him.
Tinubu made the comment in Lagos on Sunday at the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.
Recall that Tinubu’s comments at Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, about his role in the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, generated widespread criticisms from a cross-section of Nigeria.
“If not me that led the war front, Buhari wouldn’t have emerged. He contested first, second and third time, but lost. He even said on television that he won’t contest again,” Tinubu told his audience.
“But I went to his home in Katsina. I told him you would contest and win … This time, it is Yoruba turn and in Yoruba land, it’s my tenure.”
Speaking on his emergence at the Lagos monarch’s palace, Tinubu said, “there is no Lagos indigene that has had the opportunity to become President of Nigeria, despite the contribution of the state to the national stability and progress.
“The highest position attained by any Lagosian in national leadership is the position of Chief Judge of the Federation. I took up the fight to break this jinx.
“The battle to secure the APC ticket was hard. When I was almost fed up, I resorted to prayers. I also poured out my mind when I felt there was a gang up against my person. Thank God that I have brought home the presidential ticket.”
Tinubu said the most important task is to get the people to vote for him in the 2023 presidential election.
“Getting our people to vote is the most important task before all of us. We need to take this message to our people across communities and sensitise them on the need to vote in the general elections,” he said.
On his part, the Oba prayed that Tinubu realises his quest to be president of Nigeria.
“Your emergence as the presidential candidate of your party is the beginning of another journey in your political career,” he said.
“All Yoruba ancestors shall be with you on this journey to make our fatherland a better place.”
