The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described politicians debating zoning ahead of the 2023 elections as restless and not focused on the agenda of nation-building and the development of the country.
He said that the focus of all Nigerians should be concentrated on working for the betterment of the country.
Tinubu said this after his close door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. While speaking with state house correspondent, he said, “We have just finished one election and Mr President is busy sorting out the budget, working for the people of this country. Of course, restlessness of politics is going to be there, but any lover of this country will not talk about the succession plan yet. That’s the truth. Concentrate on working for the country; help the president to help the country. There’s nothing more than that.
“We cannot use 365 days in a year and 360° to work on politics, it’s not possible. Anybody talking about that now is just completely restless and not focused on the agenda of nation-building and development of our country.”
Speaking on tenure elongation, Tinubu said that he was sure the President did not have such mind even before making it clear he would not go beyond 2023. “I was in the trench and in the opposition with Muhammadu Buhari, till the Third Term agenda of a former leader of this country failed. I know he will never.
“He has the courage and the character to refuse such a temptation even if offered to him. I believe in him and I believe Nigerians should also believe in him.
“He doesn’t need to say it to me, I’ll argue it in the corner and everywhere they bring such a thing up. However, it’s very good to hear it from him. I say congratulations to a man of character and integrity.
“The challenge of turning the ship of this nation around is a continuum and a continuous effort and that is what we should get ourselves concerned with.
“Yes, politics is intoxicating, it’s flamboyant, it’s interesting, but we cannot continue in perpetuity one after the other. We have to relax, show concern for the people of the country and see to the efforts of the president that will manifest in the new, united and prosperous country. We are still not there.”
