2023: I have enormous respect for him - Wike makes U-turn on attacking Tinubu
- Governor Nyesom Wike has denied raising doubt over the reported presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu
- The Rivers state governor described the statement credited to him where he was said to have castigated the APC national leader as "preposterous, fabricated, malicious"
- Wike said he holds Tinubu, a former Lagos governor and founding father of the ruling party, "in high esteem”
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has denied playing down the possibility of Bola Tinubu emerging as president of Nigeria in 2023.
The governor was earlier reported to have told journalists on Thursday, February 4, that the presidency will be way out of the reach of the national leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next general elections.
Wike was said to have advised the politician to forget about pursuing the presidency and channel his energy to other profitable ventures.
Source: Twitter
But in a statement on by his special assistant on media Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said the report was aimed at damaging the ties between him and the APC national leader.
According to him, the reported that he ruled out Tinubu for the presidency come 2023 is "preposterous, fabricated, malicious," The Nation reports.
Wike said:
“At no time during the interview session that lasted about five minutes did Governor Wike mention the names of Tinubu and the APC’s former national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, or even alluded to them.
“We wish to state without equivocation, that irrespective of political affiliation, Governor Wike has enormous respect for Asiwaju Tinubu and will never say or do anything to malign the hard earned reputation of the elder statesman."
Meanwhile, the APC member representing Osun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Adelere Oriolowo, has declared that Bola Tinubu's quest to become the president is a Nigerian agenda.
He disclosed this while speaking on issues affecting his home state, Punch Newspaper reports.
The senator insisted that the plan to support Tinubu is not only limited to the southwest. He went on to emphasise that the development being experienced in Lagos state started with him.
Oriolowo added that Tinubu has the credentials to rule Nigeria and he is capable of bailing the country out of her present predicament.
PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!
In another news, the possibility of a Bola Tinubu presidency in 2023 is gaining momentum as stakeholders in the southwest geopolitical zone organised a summit to support the political move.
According to Daily Trust, the stakeholders insisted the region must produce President Muhammadu Buhari's successor just as they pushed for the emergence of the APC leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Legit.ng gathers that the summit was organised in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, by a group tagged Yoruba Patriots Movement.
Source: Legit.ng
Kess Ewubare Kess Ewubare is a former senior political/current affairs editor at Legit.ng. He has a diploma in-law in addition to a BSc and a master’s degree in mass communication. Kess is a journalist with over 10 years of working experience in several fields of journalism ranging from radio presenting, television news reporting, newspaper reporter, feature and magazine writing as well as online and multi-media journalism.
Rahaman Abiola (Editor-in-Chief) Rahaman Abiola is an award-winning journalist and Editor-in-Chief with over 8-year experience. He holds a degree in English & Literature from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (2015). He's a recipient of the Mile Media Award, Kwame Karikari Fellowship. His works have appeared in Punch, The Nation, Tribune, The Cable, Sahara Reporters and others. rahaman.abiola@corp.legit.ng
