Tinubu took advantage of the opportunity presented by his trip to Kaduna to pay Malam Ahmed Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau, a courtesy visit.
The APC flag bearer visited the palace to seek the emir’s blessing and pay respects, and he was joined by his host Governor El-Rufai and other APC leaders.
A few hours after PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar left for Kaduna to campaign and meet with the Arewa Joint Committee, Tinubu arrived at the palace.
Tinubu expressed regret for missing Bamalli’s coronation and promised to make the palace his second home if elected as the nation’s next president.
El-Rufai had earlier declared that although it was the presidential candidate for the APC’s first visit to the first-class traditional ruler, it would be the first of many more to come.
He praised Tinubu as having a distinguished past and respect for the established institutions.
He continued by saying that as part of his respect for traditional institutions, he insisted on visiting the emir’s palace to pay respects to the royal father shortly after arriving for the seventh Kaduna Investment Forum.
“This is not a visit to start a campaign, it is a visit to consult you and tap from your wisdom, and we will come back for a campaign visit. This is just a courtesy call.
“Having visited Kaduna, Asiwaju felt his visit was incomplete without paying homage to you,” el-Rufai said.
Bamalli responded by urging elected officials to try to strengthen national unity throughout their campaigning for the 2023 general elections.
“In the next few months, we will be approaching a difficult period of our coexistence; that is, we are getting into the political arena with a lot of politicking.
“I would like to take this liberty to request you to show maturity and experience as the former governor of Lagos State to play a vital role for a historic election.
“What we need at this point is the security of our country, improved economy and peaceful co-existence. The issue of division of Nigeria should be put aside.”
