How Chief Bode George comment may derail Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition

 By Our Correspondent

There are strong indications the presidential ambition of the National Leader, All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may not be feasible as Peoples Democratic Party stalwart, Chief Bode George, has described his ambition as a huge joke.

 

The APC National Leader whose Presidential posters are found at strategic locations in the country by his teeming supporters may have questions to answer based on the criticism alleged by Chief Bode George.

Chief Bode George in a chat with The PUNCH on Monday while reacting to Tinubu’s decision to inform the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of his intention to contest,

said the South-West had quality leaders who could produce the next President of Nigeria, stating that Tinubu was not one of them.

Speaking, he said “This so-called ambition must be a huge joke. The Presidency of Nigeria is not for characters like Bola Tinubu. Look at how he mismanaged the resources of Lagos State. It is surprising that he can even dream of becoming the President of Nigeria. He is living in cuckoo land,” said George.

The former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP said Tinubu would be shocked by how things will go and how he will be double-crossed by those he is trusting.

He said it would be an insult for the South-West, which is the most sophisticated region in the country, to settle for Tinubu.

George also said it was unfortunate that a hallowed ground like the Presidential Villa would be the location for Tinubu to declare his ambition.

Nevertheless, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, says he has informed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of his intention to contest the presidential election in 2023.

Tinubu stated this on Monday while briefing State House correspondents after he met with Buhari at the Aso Villa in Abuja.

According to him, the President is a democrat and therefore, has not asked him to stop the pursuit of his ambition which for him is life-long.

Tinubu said, “I have informed the President of my intention but I’ve not informed Nigerians yet. I am still consulting and I have no problem consulting and I have not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people will I consult. You will soon hear all you want to hear; it is a categorical declaration. You’ve gotten that truth from me that I have informed Mr President of my ambition.”

The former governor of Lagos State stressed that he has the confidence, vision, and capacity to build on the foundation laid by Buhari to turn around the fortunes of the country.

It would be recalled that between July and October 2021, while Tinubu was in the United Kingdom for a knee surgery and physiotherapy, over 50 politicians, including the President, six governors, dozens of senators and House of Representatives members, visited him at his London home and turned the place to a Mecca of sort.

In October 2021, the Northern Caucus of House of Representatives, led by Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, had also paid a get-well visit to the APC leader in London and declared support for Tinubu’s reported 2023 presidential ambition.