The presidential aspiration of the former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is gathering momentum gradually across board since his visit on January 10 to President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock to intimate him of his intention to contest in 2023.

Tinubu’s expression of his intention had changed the political atmosphere and as well attracted both criticism and accolades to the extent that over 1800 political support groups have sprung up for the actualisation of the aspiration.

Some of them include: Southwest Agenda 2023 group; Tinubu Support Group; Disciples of Jagaban; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – B.A.T National Forum; Tinubu for President 2023; Tinubu 2023 Support Group; Tinubu Solidarity Group; Northern Alliance for Tinubu 2023; Bola Ahmed Tinubu Group – USA; Tinubu Transformation Agenda 2023; I Love Tinubu; Tinubu Mandate Group; Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu Northerners; Tinubu Peoples Network; Vote Tinubu 2023 and Tinubu Grassroots Movement, among several others.

It is pertinent to point that the support groups cut across the six geo-political zones of the country despite the alleged gang up by some political elite to thwart the ambition.

However, the Lagos Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) believes that Tinubu remains the best aspirant to fly the presidential ticket of the party in the 2023 general elections as the chapter throws its weight behind him and urged him to listen to the yearnings of the people calling on him to contest.

While reeling out the chances of Tinubu picking the presidential ticket, the Lagos APC through its State Publicity Secretary-Elect, Mr Seye Oladejo, at a media chat with journalists on Tuesday, said Tinubu enjoys massive support in the north, adding that the clamour for Tinubu presidency was louder in the region than any other zone.

On what would happen if more aspirants come out in the South West APC, Oladejo explained that it would not change the permutation against the former Lagos governor, saying that Tinubu had paid his dues.

The APC spokesman stated that for the fact that the Southwest played pivotal role in APC wrestling power from the PDP in 2015, it is a matter of right that the party zones the ticket to the region.

Oladejo added that it was absurd for those opposing Tinubu’s ambition to query his state of health when they were not authority in medical practice, saying that Tinubu should be given credit for not hiding his health status when he went for surgery in London.

He said: “Since Asiwaju Tinubu came back from London, he has being everywhere and it shows that he is healthy. It is part of their politics to say he is not healthy. With the sleepless nights and stress Asiwaju had gone through before the advent of this democracy, when he becomes the President he will be the healthiest president Nigeria will ever have.”

Speaking on the alleged certificate scandal, Oladejo said that it was an issue that had been investigated and buried when Tinubu was governor, adding that the House of Assembly at the time investigated the petitions written anonymously.

He explained that Tinubu’s age should not be a bone of contention, adding that he had always been celebrating his birthday openly.

“Come March 29, Tinubu will be 70 years old. The opposition continues to give life to issues that have died and buried long ago and we know the reason for that.

“He attended Richard Daley College and thereafter Chicago State University where he obtained Bachelor of Science in Business and Administration with specialisation in Accounting,” he added.

Oladejo stated that Tinubu’s wealth cannot be measured in monetary value but by goodwill he enjoys from people he had built and ready to play their part in the actualisation of his ambition.

Meanwhile, former council chairmen in Lagos State under the ageis of Grassroots Network for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (GNAT) recently began mobilisation for the presidential aspiration of Tinubu.

Leader of GNAT, Mr Abiodun Mafe, who spoke at the lunch of the group in Lagos, said the foot soldiers cannot afford to be ingrate to the former Lagos governor, who played a great role in their rise to prominence.

A party chieftain from Kano State, Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai, said Tinubu is the answer to the myriad of problems confronting the country.

He advised members of the group to go back to the grassroots to mobilise and secure the commitment of the people towards Tinubu’s bid for the presidency.

Former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Rommy Okoli described Tinubu as a gift to Nigeria, whose benevolence cuts across the six geo-political zones.

He praised the presidential aspirant for his courage, investment in pro-democracy crusade, achievements in Lagos as governor, political mentoring and belief in national unity, assuring that he will bring development to Nigeria, if elected.