Bola Tinubu Decides When To ‘Declare’ 2023 Presidential Ambition

However, reports have emerged claiming that certain individuals close to President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidency are currently in search of a younger candidate to fly the APC flag in the 2023 election.

It was also gathered that these individuals have asked, Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, to back a youndger candidate.

Though the Caretaker Ex­traordinary Convention Plan­ning Committee (CECPC) headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State is yet to announce any date for the national convention, an ally of Tinubu told DailyIndependent that there have been divergent views on whether Tinubu should run or support any of his loyalists in 2023.

He said: “Asiwaju has not con­vened any meeting where the issue of 2023 presidency is discussed but the fact is that many of his loyalists believe that he will run based on his body language. The truth is he has received several advice from Nigerians on whether he should run or not but the ulti­mate decision is his to make.

“I strongly believe that he will make his position known after the national convention of the party. No date has been announced but we are confi­dent that it will hold this year. Every presidential candidate knows the significance of the convention because that is where those who will deter­mine the fate of the party will be decided.

“I believe that is the focus of Asiwaju for now. After the convention, the picture will be clear as to whether he will run or not and he will make deci­sion. Don’t also forget that af­ter the convention where the national chairman and other party executives are elected, the next event is the presi­dential primary. So, there is no need for anybody to hide anything again. Anyone who wants to contest will come out to declare”.

A report by SaharaReporters last week claimed that Tinubu is currently hospitalised in Maryland, the United States.

According to the online platform, the APC chieftain had surgery last week and might undergo another one over a yet-to-be-disclosed illness.

Reacting, Tinubu’s associate stated that the former governor usual­ly travels abroad to rest and strategise given the fact that his itinerary in Nigeria is very tight and he hardly has time for himself.

While debunking reports that he is critically ill, he said there is nothing wrong if he also used that period to do medical checks and attend to his health if the need arises.