The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said he did not endorse the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant Bola Tinubu for the 2023 general elections, contrary to media publications.

Mr Ogunwusi during an interview with Arise TV noted that his office as the Ooni of Ife, the Yoruba cradle, mandates him to support and pray for all aspirants contesting in the 2023 presidential election.

“I’m a royal father, I accepted this throne as a young individual. God actually brought me to the throne that has been in existence for hundreds of thousands of years, I have to support and pray for all,” the monarch said.

Advising Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious bias to vote for the best candidates, Ooni suggested that some candidates are better than others.

Media reports in February detailed that the traditional ruler endorsed Mr Tinubu when the presidential aspirant visited his palace.

Mr Ogunwusi was reported to have described the former Lagos governor as a special breed while consenting to his presidential aspiration.

Since throwing his hat into the 2023 presidential ring, Mr Tinubu has been bugged by reports of failing health and grand corruption.

Critics say the 70-year-old Mr Tinubu too old and frail to lead Africa’s most populous country, judging by his documented health challenges.

In February, Peoples Gazette published a video revealing how Mr Tinubu’s cloth was soaked from behind, indicating a challenge with incontinence.

However, Mr Tinubu dismissed criticisms about his frail health, saying being Nigerian president is not grave digging that requires his physical strength.

The Gazette has also published series of damning report showing how Alpha Beta, a company established by Mr Tinubu, is siphoning vast resources from Lagos through fraudulent tax administration.