Ibikunle Amosun, who was exposed for illicitly stockpiling arms and ammunition during his time as governor of Ogun State, has declared his intention to run for Nigeria’s highest office, come 2023.

Mr Amosun, now the senator representing Ogun Central at the National Assembly, notified his colleagues at the Red Chamber of his ambition via a letter which was read at plenary on Wednesday.

In the letter, Mr Amosun invited the senators to his declaration ceremony billed to hold on May 5.

“It is with the greatest respect that I write to notify you and my Distinguished Colleagues of my intention to contest for the Office of President of our dear country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan said, “and to respectfully invite you and my Distinguished Colleagues to the formal declaration ceremony.”

Mr Amosun, a known confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari, was exposed in series of reports by Premium Times for stockpiling illicit arms including four million rounds of live ammunition and over a thousand AK-47 rifles. This was at a time when thuggery, kidnapping for ransom and political assassination were rampant in the state. 

The ex-governor hurriedly handed over the weapons to the Ogun State command of the Nigeria Police Force after exposé was published and just he handed over to the incumbent governor.