APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu has revealed that he already has a running mate for the 2023 presidential election. He stated this after being hosted on Thursday night by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Mr Tinubu said he had the name of a vice-presidential candidate penned down.

When asked who his running mate would be, the former Lagos governor stated, “I won’t tell you that. That is my right. It’s in my pocketbook.”

There are speculations that Mr Tinubu will pick one of the northern governors instrumental in his hard-fought emergence as the APC presidential candidate. The names mentioned included governors of Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Plateau, among others.

The APC presidential candidate commended Mr Buhari for providing a level-playing field during the party’s presidential primary election.

Mr Tinubu recalled that the president had promised many times that he would support the democratic process.

“He promised the whole country and the world that he would build a legacy of transparency and consistency. Legacy of a level-playing ground for all the aspirants. He will be committed to democratic principles and values and he did so,” explained Mr Tinubu. “He didn’t endorse anybody. He didn’t impose anybody. He did not, at any time, attempt to tinker with the process of this election to favour one tribe or the other. He was steadfast. He was trustworthy. He was dependable. He was a leader.”

The APC presidential candidate was accompanied on the visit by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Wale Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu emerged winner of the APC presidential primary election held at Eagle Square, Abuja, between June 7 and 8. He garnered 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Rotimi Amaechi, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who scored 316 and 235 votes, respectively.

Mr Buhari had on June 8 congratulated Mr Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

“Having emerged victorious he has our full and unwavering support. Now our party must unite behind our candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections so that our government will continue to secure our communities, grow our economy and continue the fight against corruption,” the president had stated.

(NAN)