Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Saturday visited the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo as part of his consultation for his 2023 Presidential ambition.

Tinubu, who arrived the palace of Alake in Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State, at 4.35p.m. went straight into private meeting with the monarch.

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier paid similar visit to the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona at his Ijebu-Ode palace.

The two-time governor of Lagos State was received by the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Salis Suhaib and chiefs.

Addressing the monarch, Tinubu said he had come to seek the permission of the monarch to contest for the presidency and to also seek the monarch’s blessing.

He said he had served as a senator, as a governor, but his aim is to become the President of Nigeria.

“I call this visit a courtesy call. I have contested with the support of the people for Senate and I won at youngest age ever. I have been governor, I clocked 50 on the seat of governor.

“I have done crusades to return Nigeria to democracy rule, before I started hearing the voices of the people that I should contest for President. I have thought about it deeply, but I cannot think about it alone.

“The people said, this time around I should run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I told them that we have elected someone there and I don’t want to pull the carpet from his feet.

“I told the President I want to replace you and I don’t want to offend you. I told the President that I want to step in his shoes but not step on his toes. As the number one citizen, I should start my bid by informing you first, and he (Buhari) told me to inform the whole world, and I have done that,” Tinubu said.

He told the monarch: “I want to seek the permission of the kabiyesi, I want to seek his blessings and his prayers and seek the blessings of other chiefs.

“I’m here to tell you (Alake) that, I want your prayers and I want to inform you that I want to become the President.”

The monarch in his response prayed that Tinubu will achieve his ambition.

He expressed optimism that if Tinubu becomes the President, Nigeria would be better for it.

Tinubu is expected to end his visit at the palace of the Olu Ilaro and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

TheStar