2023 Presidential race: Tinubu opens his campaign office in Maitama, Abuja

Former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has opened a campaign headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, all but confirming his entry into the 2023 presidential race.

The 2,700 square metres property that once housed a private school, sits just north of the Philippines Embassy at 2, Kainji Crescent and just across the street from Body of Benchers, which regulates admission into Nigerian legal education institutions.

According to PeoplesGazette, the property was secured for two years at N15m per annum, a good deal in the exquisite neighbourhood that is credited more to Tinubu’s influence than fortitude, according to campaign officials familiar with its financial commitments.

There were no immediate signs from outside that the property holds Tinubu’s campaign office, but sources within the campaign told the newspaper that activities have intensified inside for the former Lagos governor’s presidential bid.

A campaign insider told the PeoplesGazette that the office was deliberately tucked between the conspicuous intersection of Kainji Crescent and Lake Chad Crescent because they needed a place that would provide just enough space needed to run the primaries exploration.

Depending on how activities expand ahead of primaries and general elections, the campaign may still move to a location in downtown neighbourhoods like Garki, Central Area or Wuse.

A spokesman for Mr. Tinubu did not return requests for comments from the Gazette Monday morning.

Even though he has continued to deny it, Nigeria Defender learnt that Tinubu had been courting President Buhari and the cabal, a group of power brokers at the Aso Rock Villa led by late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, with the hope of clinching the APC Presidential ticket in 2023.

Just recently, a campaign group called Young Professionals for Tinubu 2023 was formally Inaugurated in Abuja.