By Gbenga Abulude(Politics and General Desk)
One of the national leaders of the All progressives Congress (APC), and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has denied media reports alleging that he has opened a presidential campaign office in Abuja in a bid to actualize his 2023 presidential ambition.
Tinubu said he has not even declared his intention of contesting of the 2023 presidential election stressing that it is only when he has done so that people can talk about a campaign office.
An online media had reported on Monday that the former governor of Lagos State had strategically opened a campaign headquarters in a Maitama property that once housed a private school in Abuja.
Read also: APC Crisis: Apprehension Grips Tinubu’s Camp As 2023 Plans Wobble
According to a news medium, Peoples Gazette, it reported that an insider within Tinubu’s purported 2023 Presidential Campaign Office dropped the hint about the massive camapign office located in Maitaima district of Abuja.
The group, according to the news medium disclosed that the Office was acquired ahead of time to allow for planning and adequate strategic preparation for 2023.
The online medium further revealed that the 2,700 square metres property which sits just North of the Philippines Embassy at 2, Kainji Crescent, was secured for two years at N15m per annum.
It also reported that Hon Abiodun Faleke, a House of Representatives’ member from Ikeja constituency, was pivotal to the campaign 2023 project office in Abuja acquisition.
But in a statement released by Tinubu’s media Adviser, Mr Tunde Rahman, he said 2023 is few years away and Tinubu was occupied with his support for the success of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has not even declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election let alone opening a campaign office.
“He has repeatedly said 2023 is still some years away and that he is at present focused on helping President Buhari to deliver on his mandate as he is doing and coast home to victory.
“That is his position. But you know also that many of his friends, associates and supporters who feel he is eminently qualified for the presidency and has done excellently well to advance our democracy and want to see him contest for the top job are doing everything on their own to see this happen.
“I don’t know the office you are talking about, but it may just be one of those things these people are doing to get Asiwaju Tinubu to do as they wish. And I think they have a right to advance the course they believe in. Asiwaju’s appeal, however, is they allow the present government to concentrate on the good job it is doing and allow the matter of 2023 to take care of itself in the fullness of time”.
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Among those that have not hidden their ambition to contest for the 2023 Presidency, Asiwaju Tinubu and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are the two major politicians that their associates have consistently been drumming support for ahead 2023.
Tinubu has long been speculated to be interested in running for the office of the President of Nigeria but the APC Chieftain has always denied showing interest in the coveted seat.
As the year gradually comes to an end and 2021 beckons, the race to the 2023 presidency will be louder with more candidates showing their interest.
It is not known yet which geo-political zone that the ruling APC would zone its presidential ticket to ahead 2023. Besides Tinubu, others believed to be eyeing the presidency include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Yemi Fayemi, Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, among others.
But even within the South West, Tinubu would have to contend with a fierce rising and escalating army of opposition who have vowed to truncate his presidential ambition.
