Presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu on Sunday said Nigerian youths can become president, but it will be after he has actualised his 2023 ambition. 

Mr Tinubu made the statement on Sunday at the palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi. 

“You will grow old, you will become president but I will become president first,” Mr Tinubu said in Yoruba at the palace. Previously he had chided the youth for not allowing him an easy passage into the palace, suggesting that their conduct did not show enough respect for him as a senior citizen.

“You are not giving room for the elderly to pass and you are not yet president. What if you become president, you will chase us out of town?” Mr Tinubu said.

The former Lagos governor has intensified his campaign to succeed his political ally President Muhammadu Buhari next yet, but has yet to make a formal declaration about his candidacy or unveil his manifesto. He has however continued his ‘consultation’ with political and traditional leaders in and out of the country amidst concerns his health was deteriorating.

Last week during a visit to the palace of the Awujale of Ijebu land, Mr Tinubu’s attire was soaked behind when he stood up. His security aide could also be seen frantically covering his nose. Days later, Mr Tinubu’s estranged political associate Rauf Aregbesola derided him as urinating on his body during a campaign stomp.

While Mr Tinubu’s camp debunked the video as manipulated, his speech appeared slurred again at the Alaafin’s palace today, as had been previously observed at the presidential aspirant’s public appearances since last year.