The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday declared that his presidential ambition was about gaining power.
Rather, he said, it was about securing good government for the nation.
Tinubu made the declaration when he visited the National Assembly to address the APC caucus in the Senate and House in continuation of his engagement and consultations with critical stakeholders on his 2023 presidential aspiration.
His words: “This is not about gaining power. It is about securing good government for the nation. Together, the executive and legislative branches of this democratic tree must strive to cultivate and bring forth good fruit for the welfare of the people.”
Asiwaju spoke about the legislature’s pivotal role in delivering the kinds of reforms he envisioned – building on the strong efforts of President Buhari to secure the lives and property of Nigerians by addressing the menace of banditry and terrorism in the land; broaden the nation’s economic base; and accelerate growth, particularly in the agricultural and manufacturing / industrial sectors to create meaningful employment opportunities for young Nigerians across the country.
“I have asked you to be my partner, I vow to be yours. In unity, there is nothing that can stop us,” he said.
Tinubu, at the occasion go the endorsement of the lawmakers openly.
House Leader, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, who led the lawmakers in the endorsement, spoke of Asiwaju’s track record as Senator and governor, as a democrat helping to build and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, and as a party loyalist who did more than any other to create and sustain the APC.
He said the APC leader had all it would take to aspire to the presidency and had physical and mental capacity to run the affairs of this country.
Doguwa then put the question to his colleagues asking whether it was their wish to endorse Asíwájú Tinubu for the 2023 race to which they all answered in the affirmative without any dissenting voice.
Earlier addressing them, the APC described the National Assembly as a vital arm of government, noting that the legislators had made important contributions to the unity and stability of the country and sustenance of her democracy as the most direct representatives of the individual constituencies at the Federal level.
The APC leader said he was in the National Assembly to seek the lawmakers’ counsel, collaboration and support for his ambition.
Asíwájú Tinubu also told them he had informed President Buhari of his aspiration, saying he wanted “to step into the president’s shoes without stepping on his toes.”
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila expressed surprise that many of those claiming to be in the race were sitting at home and not interfacing with Nigerians.
“I don’t think it’s good that Nigerians are still waiting six weeks to the primaries to know those in the race. It’s not fair on Nigerians,” he said.
He described Asíwájú Tinubu as one man who had indicated he would not take Nigerians for granted and would consult widely and talk to anyone who cared to listen.
The APC leader had begun the consultations at the National Assembly with the Senate caucus.
He said being with the Senators brought back heartfelt memories of his time in the Senate in 1992.
“My entrance into national politics began in this building. I was first a senator and shall always consider myself part of this body,” he said.
Asíwájú thanked the Senators for helping to advance democratic good governance and transparent elections.
He spoke about landmark legislation the lawmakers had passed, including the Petroleum Industry Act, which he said rationalised nearly all aspects of oil and gas production and the recent amendments, which included greater use of technology in the electoral process.
“I seek your partnership in my quest to become the Presidential Candidate of our party and to win the general elections in February 2023.
“This is not about gaining power. It is about securing good government for the nation. Together, the Executive and Legislative branches of this democratic tree must strive to cultivate and bring forth good fruit for the welfare of the people,” he said.
Senate President Ahmed Lawan thanked Asiwaju Tinubu for the visit, saying all the senators knew him by reputation.
He also wished him success in the presidential race.
