The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has stated that he believes the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu will support a youthful president in 2023.
The national leader of the ruling party is rumoured to be nursing the presidential ambition eventhough he has not declared that he will running for President.
Yahaya Bello became one of the youngest governors in Nigeria at the age of 40 in 2015, won his second term bid and he is believed to be interested in the 2023 presidential race
In an interview with the BBC Pidgin, the Kogi state governor said Tinubu is a kingmaker who knows his limitations and would rather advocate for the younger generation to take over the leadership of the country.
“Our national leader, Tinubu, is a revered statesman, well-respected by all, including me. I know that he is a smart mentor. He has brought up a lot of leaders in this country. He’s a wonderful kingmaker. And I know surely that he wants this country to be on auto-cruise very soon. He knows his qualities and limitations. He knows who will be able to drive this country to a successful future. He will part of those that will make a better and youthful president for this country. I believe in his judgement,” he said.
“What is happening now is so amazing. Nigerian youths, women and Nigerians across boards are calling on me to run for president in 2023. It is something I have been making consultations on. It will interest you to know that not one kobo I have given to anybody to print posters or to do anything. Youths across boards felt it is time for the younger generation to take the seat of a driver to fix Nigeria.
“So, if young Nigerians are asking me to fix this country, they have the right to make such demands. I’m pretty sure if this unity among younger Nigerians continues this way till 2023, nobody aside God almighty will stop the youths from taking over the leadership of this country. By then, I can tell you that the journey of fixing this country has just begun.”
Recall that the Kogi state commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo in November 2020 said the governor had been under pressure to run for president in 2023.