Tinubu Understood US, Lagos Politics Better Than Nigeria Before 2023 — Akande

The pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s knowledge of Nigerian politics ahead of his becoming president in 2023 was nothing to write home about.

The elder statesman revealed this while speaking on ‘State of the Nation,’ a podcast show hosted by renowned radio broadcaster, Edmund Obilo.

Akande averred that more than anything, Tinubu was more knowledgeable as a financial expert than a political specialist before he became president of Nigeria.

He stressed that now, as a president, the Nigerian leader must have gained more knowledge as a political expert. “He is a financial expert. He is not a political expert. He is now a politician. He must have known a lot now since he became president but before he became president, he knew very little about Nigeria.

“He may know a lot about politics of America and politics of Lagos, but I know he was very ignorant about politics of Nigeria. But now that he is the president, I don’t know how much he may have known.”

He also disclosed the role he played in persuading Tinubu to run for the office of president against his initial reluctance.

Akande, who was a governor of Osun State at the same time Tinubu was holding sway in Lagos State between 1999 and 2003, said he instigated, persuaded and worked to drag Tinubu into the presidential race of 2023.

The former Osun State governor said when he raised the presidential bid with Tinubu, he complained about his leg as he was suffering from arthritis at the time but said he persuaded him on the need to run as the best candidate the Yoruba can push forward.