Pa Reuben Fasoranti blessing APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, when the latter visited him at his Akure, Ondo State capital’s home on Sunday November 30, 2022 to present his manifesto to the ex-Afenifere leader and receive the elder statesman’s blessing for his presidential bid
By Banji Ayoola
All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday presented his manifesto to the immediate former leader of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti as the latter blessed the former Lagos State governor’s presidential bid.
He presented the document to the elder-statesman in his Akure, Ondo State capital’s home in the company of some of his political associates and APC leaders.
Tinubu was accompanied to Fasoranti’s home by a large entourage including his party’s ex-leader, ex-Afenifere chieftain and former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande; National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore; National Vice Chairman, South West, Mr Isaacs Duerimini Kekemeke; Ondo State Chairman, Engnr Ade Adetimehin; Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, representing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, representing Governor Seyi Makinde; ex-Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Ambassador Sola Iji; and Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye.
Also on his entourage were Prof Isaac Adewole; Chief Segun Adesegun, representing ex-Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; Senator Tony Adefuye; Senator Dayo Adeyeye; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Chief Olusola Oke, SAN; ex-Minister Musiliu Obanikoro; ex-Minister of State, Niger Delta, Chief Tayo Alasoadura; ex-Secretary to Ondo State Government, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde; and a former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Dr Bakkita Bello, among others.
On seat were Fasoranti; ex-presidential candidate, former Secretary to the Federal Government, Olu of Ilu Abo and Baba Oba of Akure, Chief Olu Falae; Afenifere’s immediate former Secretary General, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa; ex-Kwara State Governor, Senator Cornelius Adebayo; and Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, among others.
In attendance at the meeting also were veteran journalist, Mr Dare Babarinsa; General Alani Akinrinade, retired; and General Olu Bajowa, retired.
Speaking, Tinubu said he was in Fasoranti’s house to present his presidential action plan to the elder statesman, who he had earlier visited before the presidential primary and who had prayed for him to emerge victorious.
His words: “Baba had prayed for me and I said once I got it I will come back. I thank the Almighty that the dream of that time has come to reality. The battle was much. There are many of them that wanted Buhari to anoint another person but he (Buhari) said no. Some of the northern governors came together and resolved that it (power) has to go to South.
“One thing that is certain, no Yoruba men and women opposed this ticket. They support this ticket. I want to tell you that I will bring the trophy home. It is not just a Yoruba thing. It is a Nigeria project.
“The North proved to me that Nigeria can survive in unity. Some people want President Muhammadu Buhari to announce someone but the President said No. He insisted the process must go on democratically. The president said anyone that would mess up the APC process would see the other side of his eyes. He remained upright and saw to the process to the end.
“Northern APC Governors resolved that the Presidency must go to the South and especially South-West. Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end. The battle was tough and at a point I was in doubt. There were many rumours and I became confused of what to believe.”
Stressing that he enjoyed the support of the President Buhari, who he said had affirmed his full support to make sure he wins the election, Tinubu said: “President Buhari told me I promoted his name with the way I won the primary election because the process was clean and transparent and nobody can accuse him of manipulating the process. President Buhari said I gave him credibility and I deserved to be President.
“When I asked him to nominate the VP candidate for me, he said I should pick whoever I want and it is the reason I chose a competent man in Kashim Shettima who never lost any election and protected Christians in time of trouble in his state.”
Responding, Pa Fasoranti, briefly prayed for Tinubu.
Setting agenda for Nigeria’s next President, Arogbofa said the high expectation is that things would be turned around for the good of all Nigerians irrespective of place of birth or religion.
Specifically he hammered on the most urgent necessity of restructuring the country into a true and balanced federation, noting that those opposed to restructuring were already trying to implement it.
Notably, restructuring of Nigeria from the prevailing skewed status quo has been Afenifere’s most dominant advocacy in its years of struggles to rework this country into a peaceful and harmonious federation underpinned by true justice for all the composite groups.
Besides Arogbofa stressed the need for the establishment of state police which, believably, would solve the prevailing security challenges confronting the nation, as he commended the performance of the local security outfit, Amotekun, which operates in most of the South West states.
While welcoming Tinubu and his delegation on behalf of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said Ondo people are Afenifere and would support Tinubu to win; noting that “Asiwaju has the reach, the competence to lead Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured the Yoruba leaders that all the governors of South-West and Ekiti people are solidly behind Tinubu; sayiing: “We are happy to receive our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, today (Sunday). I want to assure him and our fathers that we will support him to the end.”
In his own speech at the meeting, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde said Makinde was invited by Pa Fasoranti to the meeting and he would abide by what decision made on Yoruba matters.
Lawal said: “Baba invited him (Makinde) but he could not reject the call of baba. Second, it is a Yoruba matter that was being discussed. In Yoruba land if you are doing things without inviting Oyo, it is not complete. He (Makinde) doesn’t joke with Yoruba matters even though we are not united by the party, yet region unites us and everything discussed on Yoruba, he would support. If he has not supported Amotekun project, it would not have succeeded.”
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