The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is the best person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, says a former minister of works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe.

The former minister, who had previously never been on the same page with Tinubu politically, made his new position public recently.

He said: “I have been reading and watching a lot of comments about it. I believe 2023 should be thrown open. Nobody should be shut out.

There is nothing wrong about south-west showing interest. We are talking about democracy. To shut out some people or group is undemocratic. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to contest, let him contest.

“What is the noise about Tinubu all about? Is Tinubu not qualified to contest? I will support Tinubu if he wants to contest. Tinubu has paid his dues. If Tinubu wants to contest, let him contest, and let Nigerians decide his fate.

“Tinubu is a dogged fighter. He has triumphed over many challenges. He has seen it all. He can do it if given the chance.

“Nothing in life is static. Tinubu is from the south-west, and anything for the progress of south-west, I’m for it. If the 2023 project is for south-west interests, then I’m now on the same page with Tinubu, and I have no apology for it.”