By Olusegun Olanrewaju (Lagos) and Nathaniel Zacchaeus (Abuja)
Toning down allegations of power mongering, All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader and presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday pleaded that his bid is not for power.

He made a plea for consideration for the presidency, even as the party’s caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja endorsed his candidature for the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu was at both houses of the National Assembly to canvass support for the realisation of what he called his ‘lifetime (presidential) ambition’.

Response from the Senate is still under consideration, but the APC caucus in the lower chamber of the National Assembly gave him an express nod to run.

Accompanied by former senators, Adedayo Adeyeye (Ekiti), Iyiola Omishore (Osun) and Abu Ibrahim (Katsina), among other party leaders, Tinubu visited the National Assembly to address the APC caucus in the Senate and House, in continuation of his engagement and consultations with critical stakeholders on his 2023 aspiration.

No fewer than 30 out of the 70 APC senators attended the parley, which later dissolved into a closed session.

House Leader, Alhassan Doguwa, who led the lawmakers in the endorsement, spoke of the presidential aspirant’s track record as senator and governor; as a democrat “helping to build and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, and as a party loyalist who did more than any other to create and sustain the APC”.
According to him, the APC leader has all it takes to aspire to the presidency, “and has physical and mental capacity to run the affairs of this country”.

Doguwa asked his colleagues whether it was their wish to endorse the ex-Lagos State governor for the 2023 race, to which they all answered in the affirmative.
There was no dissenting voice.
Earlier, Tinubu had described the National Assembly as a vital arm of government, noting that the legislators had made important contributions to the unity and stability of the country in the sustenance of her democracy.

This, he stressed, the Assembly members had done “as the most direct representatives of the individual constituencies at the Federal level”.

The APC leader said he was in the National Assembly to seek the lawmakers’ counsel, collaboration and support for his ambition.
He also told them he had informed President Buhari of his aspiration, saying he wanted “to step into the president’s shoes without stepping on his toes.”
House of Representatives speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed surprise that many of those claiming to be in the race were sitting at home “and not interfacing with Nigerians”.

“I don’t think it’s good that Nigerians are still waiting six weeks to the primaries to know those in the race. It’s not fair on Nigerians,” he said.
He described Tinubu as “one man who had indicated he would not take Nigerians for granted, and would consult widely and talk to anyone who cared to listen”.

Meanwhile, the APC leader had begun the consultations at the National Assembly with the Senate arm of the caucuses.

He said being with the senators brought back ‘heartfelt memories’ of his time in the senate in 1992.
“My entrance into national politics began in this building. I was first a senator, and shall always consider myself part of this body,” he said.

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Tinubu thanked the senators for helping to advance democratic good governance and transparent elections.
He also spoke about landmark legislation the lawmakers had passed, including the Petroleum Industry Act, which he said rationalised nearly all aspects of oil and gas production and the recent amendments, which included greater use of technology in the electoral process.

“I seek your partnership in my quest to become the presidential candidate of our party, and to win the general elections in February 2023.

“This is not about gaining power. It is about securing good government for the nation. Together, the executive and Legislative branches of this democratic tree must strive to cultivate and bring forth good fruit for the welfare of the people,” he said.

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, thanked Tinubu for the visit, saying all the senators knew him by reputation. He also wished him success in the presidential race.
Tinubu pleaded with the lawmakers to consider his “experience and capacity”, adding, “I came for your counsel, partnership and support. I believe that you can back me for my lifetime ambition.”

He also told his audience: “Nigeria has come to a point where we need a change of baton. Mr President is rounding up his second term.

“I told Mr President that my ambition is not blind to the extent that I will step on his toes. I just want to step into his shoes, and not on his toes.

Tinubu said, “I am here for counsel, partnership and support. I seek your advice and counsel as stakeholders in this democratic journey.

“This is not about gaining power. It is about securing good government for the nation.

The process is starting in a few weeks. Back me successfully for the nomination of my lifetime ambition,” he said.

The presidential aspirant added, “This is the time to deliver Nigeria of our tomorrow today.

“I want to beg you to look at my capacity and my experience. I am perhaps the only one who has been in the senate, who has been a governor, and aspiring to become president.”

Lawan, said the achievements of the APC since becoming the ruling party would be a key factor in the 2023 general election.

“The election is “going to be defined by what we do between now and then — and what we have done between 2015 and now.

“That means we have to remain focused as an administration and united as a party,” the senate president added.