Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has declared that Bola Tinubu, a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will support a youthful president come general elections in 2023.

Mr Bello made the comment while speaking to BBC Pidgin.

When asked who will make a better president between him and Mr Tinubu in 2023, Mr Bello said that Mr Tinubu knows his limitations and would rather advocate for the younger generation to take over the leadership of the country, deeming the APC chieftain as a “Kingmaker”.

“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 be part of those that will make a better and youthful president for this country. I believe in his judgement,” he said.

Mr Bello, who is currently serving his second tenure in office, became Kogi governor in 2015 at the age of 40 and is seen as the youngest person holding that office in the country.

Mr Bello confirmed his ambition to become President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023, following his claims of calls to run for president by Nigerian youths, women, and other civil groups, dismissing the zoning arrangement with regards to the presidential ticket between the North and the South.

Mr Tinubu has also recently ramped up political junkets across the North in preparation for his 2023 presidential run. He chaired Arewa House Lecture in Kaduna on Saturday. The Bola Tinubu Annual Colloquium was also held on Monday at the Kano State Government House, amidst resistance from Northern Youths.