Few months to the presidential election, one of the presidential aspirants and leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday paid a visit to the traditional rulers in the three senatorial districts of Ondo State, seeking their support for his aspiration.
Speaking at the palace of the Deji of Akure, the former governor of Lagos State said he had helped many people in the country to achieve their political goals.
Among the beneficiaries of his political benevolence, Tinubu mentioned former governors of Osun and Ondo States, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Dr Olusegun Mimiko respectively.
He also mentioned Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and President Muhammadu Buhari among others .
Tinubu said, “I helped Mimiko got his mandate through court after two years that he was elected. I helped Fayemi get his mandate after three years. It took Aregbesola three years, 10 months, to get his mandate. We have helped many people like that.”
that Nigeria needs a competent leader who could unite the people, tackle insecurity and rejig the debilitating economy.
Tinubu, who had earlier been in Ekiti State as part of the ongoing consultation for the 2023 presidential election, said he decided to consult the traditional rulers before declaring because of the enormous respect he placed on culture and tradition.
He said, “I’m contesting this race to renew the hope and make the future great for our children.
“For Nigeria to stand united and develop, we require patience and wisdom. We have to be united, that is the only way we can be great.”
It was carnival-like at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, as people gathered for hours singing, dancing and praising the All Progressives Congress National Leader as they awaited his arrival to meet with the monarch.
Tinubu, accompanied by Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi, who said he represented Governor Kayode Fayemi, and chieftains of the South West Agenda for Tinubu 2023, led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye, earlier met with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers at their chambers in the capital city.
He said, “We have struggled for democracy and today, we have democracy, but we are not stable yet. There is insecurity, hopelessness, lack of education and suffering in the land. By now, we should have a good farming system and opportunities to produce for other nations to buy.
“We are here to answer the call of our children by educating them the right way so that we can leave a Nigeria that is united, prosperous and abundant for them. We chose democracy and we must not fail in this task.
“That was why we formed APC based on principles. I want to tell you that Nigeria needs serious change. I knew how Lagos was when I took over and we had never failed any election. There must be continuity in governance for progress to be attained.
“I was the first governor in Nigeria to start paying the WAEC fee of secondary school students. I shall do it again as a President”.
The Traditional Council Chairman and the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, who said there was nothing wrong with Tinubu’s aspiration said the constitution permitted every qualified Nigerian to aspire for any position, saying, “God will help you realise your ambition”.
Speaking at his palace, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo, who appreciated Tinubu for teaching people how to fish and for his exploits in Lagos State, said, “That is why I believe you (Tinubu) when you said you would turn the situation of Nigeria around for good”.
The Punch
