Tinubu said this on Saturday, while speaking at the Palace of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
He arrived at the Palace of the Alake at 4:35pm, and went straight into a private meeting with the Monarch.
Addressing the Monarch, Tinubu stated: “I told the President I want to replace you, and I do not want to offend you. I told the President that I want to step into his shoes, but not step on his toes.
“I told him as the number one citizen, I should start my presidential bid by informing you first, and he (Buhari) told me to inform the whole world, and I have done that.
“I call this visit a courtesy call. I contested with the support of the people for the Senate, and I won at the youngest age ever. I have been Governor; I clocked 50 on the seat of Governor.
“I have done crusades to return Nigeria to democracy rule, before I started hearing the voices of the people that I should contest for President. I have thought about it deeply, but I cannot think about it alone.
“The people said this time around, I should run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I told them that we have elected someone there, and I do not want to pull the carpet from his feet.
“I want to seek the permission of the Kabiyesi, I want to seek his blessings and his prayers, and seek the blessings of other Chiefs.
“I am here to tell you (Alake), that I want your prayers, and I want to inform you that I want to become the President.
“My message to all Nigerians, is that there will always be difficult times, there will be times for joy.
“We are navigating Nigeria, it is a very difficult period, we will survive it, we will be happy, we will hold onto the hope that Nigeria will be united, prosperous and be sufficient. That is my message to the people, we will make Nigerians happy.”
In his remarks, the Alake lauded Tinubu for the visit, and prayed for the success of his 2023 Presidential ambition.
He further expressed optimism that if Tinubu becomes President, Nigeria will be better.