Tinubu request land in Anambra to build, bags chieftaincy title

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a surprising appeal to Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, asking for a parcel of land to build a retirement home in the state.

Tinubu made the request on Thursday during a reception organized in his honour following his visit to Anambra, where he commissioned a series of infrastructural projects described as “legacy” efforts.

Addressing the crowd, the president expressed his long-standing ties with the state.

“Many of my friends are from Anambra State, and I have seen many of them today,” he said, shortly after receiving a chieftaincy title from the state’s traditional rulers.

“Going forward, we are not just friends. I am now a bona-fide son of the soil – one of you, your own son,” Tinubu added, drawing loud cheers from the audience.

He went on to say, “Maybe my friend and your governor, Charles Soludo, should find me a plot of land for my retirement home after service,” before jokingly adding, “You don’t have to move me from the Villa for only one week. Give me a permanent abode.”

The president was earlier conferred with the traditional title “Dike si Mba” by the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, which was presented to him at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

According to the council’s chairperson and traditional ruler of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, the title – which translates to “Warrior from the Diaspora” – was awarded in recognition of Tinubu’s contributions to national development.

“This is a title from all the royal fathers in the 179 communities of Anambra State,” Iweka noted.

In his acceptance speech, Tinubu recalled being given a chieftaincy title by a traditional ruler in the state back in 2005 and said he was deeply honoured by this new recognition.

“To have all the traditional rulers of Anambra confer another title on me is not only historic but one which I will greatly treasure for the rest of my life,” he said.