NewsPoliticsPresidency Requires Intelligent Thinking, Not Physical Strength – Tinubu Defends Presidential Ambition

LAGOS — Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that he needs more thinking than physical strength if he emerges as president of Nigeria in 2023.

The former governor of Lagos state spoke on Friday when he visited the Ataoja of Osogbo, Jimoh Olanipekun, to inform him of his 2023 presidential ambition, and seek the latter’s blessings for his presidential ambition.

Following his recent medical trip to the United Kingdom on medical grounds barely three weeks after declaring interest in 2023 presidency, Nigerians had expressed concerns on social media platforms over his health status.

Responding to those who urge him to quit the presidential race due to health challenges, Tinubu retorted that becoming president is more about a person’s thinking capacity than physical strength.

The presidential aspirant made it clear that he is not applying for a bricklayer, gravedigger, or race-running job that requires physical strength, instead, he wants to be the president which requires intelligent thinking.

He said, “I am the quality that Nigeria is looking for to make this country very great, prosperous and united, not only in Africa but in the world. God has blessed us with all resources; human and materials. The only thing that is needed to streamline it for us is character. We must build that character of determination, resilience and perseverance.

“I will not let Nigerians down. I have the brain and capacity. If you hear them saying, can I do it? I am not applying for the job of a gravedigger; not race running, I am not a horse. I am not applying for bricklaying.

“I went to school to study accountancy and management. I am applying for a job in the brain, intelligent thinking. It is a job for someone who is ready to do things right.”

Tinubu who said he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition, stated that he was ready to offer honest service to the country and its people.

According to him, if given the opportunity, he will not let Nigerians down, adding that he has the capacity to run the nation’s affairs.

“Now the calendar is ticking. It is now the season, the period that Nigeria is looking for solid hope and change for progress, prosperity, and growth. We need a lot of jobs, solid education for our children. We need progress for our country. We want somebody that can bring that.

“I ask myself, “who is better than me?” This prompted me to come out, consult, and be ready to serve the country. I have been going round.

“I offer myself the opportunity to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have informed President Buhari of this. I told him that I want to step into his shoe and not break a toe. I told him that I want to serve my country to the best of my ability.

“The job I want to do for Nigeria is for Nigeria to be greater and be proud of our sons and daughters and leave a legacy of unlimited success.”

Seeking the endorsement of the Ataoja of Osogbo, the APC chieftain said that if the people of Osun give him their support, he would not let them down.

“I need your endorsement and your prayers. We believe in one Nigeria, irrespective of our tribe. We must see ourselves as one entity that will bring progress to Nigeria, and this is my promise.”

Tinubu, who further explained that Nigerians must continue to remain united, irrespective of tribe or religion, urged Nigerians to embrace the lyrics of the old national anthem.

“We have in our old national anthem that ‘though tribe and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’

“It has come that we must be solid in that. It has come that we must know that it is the same blood that is running in our veins irrespective of tribe and faith. We must have a good attitude for progress and prosperity,” he added.