Yoruba Leaders of Thought yesterday endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying he is the most qualified of all the candidates.
The leaders, who met with Tinubu at an interactive session in Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, also commended the APC, particularly the governors, for embracing power shift to promote unity and belongingness in the country.
The convener of the group, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said Tinubu had promoted democracy, good governance and economic development in the country.
Tinubu, accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, thanked the leaders for what he called their labour of love.
Addressing them in Yoruba, the APC candidate noted that the 2023 presidency was for all Nigerians, saying: “Eyinlokan,” meaning it is your turn.
He, however, charged them to reach for their PVCs and ensure they vote in Saturday’s election so they can herald the change envisaged for the country.
In the communique issued at the end of the session, the leaders said: “Yoruba and Southwest leaders made up of Yoruba groups who believe in the oneness of Nigeria based on equity, fairness and justice, a nation where no one is oppressed, held an interactive session with the presidential candidate of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday 20th February, 2023.
“The meeting commended leaders of the APC for encouraging spirit of belongingness and national unity by honouring the age-long desire of Nigerians for power shift, the principle which led to the overwhelming emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential candidate.
“The highly successful interactive session noted the phenomenal successes already recorded by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu both in his pre-political career and in his public life as a politician, administrator and leader.
“The meeting concluded that when compared to others in the race for the presidency of Nigeria in 2023, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands head and shoulder above the rest. He is the most prepared, the most suitable in terms of competence, character, capacity and the most humane to lead Nigeria to an enviable prosperous status among the comity of nations in the 21st century.
“The meeting commended President Buhari for the achievements he has recorded thus far and for demonstrating that he is a patriot and a man of integrity.
“They, however, called on him to take immediate and radical steps to attenuate the sufferings occasioned by the twin-scarcity of new Naira notes and fuel in the country.
“We commend the present and founding fathers of APC for building the party into a formidable vehicle for winning elections. But it must transform from a mere vehicle for attaining electoral victories to an organization that can confidently chart and execute a development path for Nigeria.
“In conclusion, Yoruba leaders of thought appealed to Nigerians in general to keep a date with Asiwaju Tinubu on February 25, 2023 to drive the shared prosperity that the Asiwaju presidency is bound to bring to Nigeria.”
The communique was signed Prince Olusi and the Secretary of the group, Adebayo Aina
The session was attended by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ekiti State counterpart, Biodun Oyebanji, former governors Segun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Adegboyega Oyetola, as well as Deputy Governor of Lagos State Femi Hamzat, Dr. Yomi Finnih, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Sotobi, Prince Segun Adesegun, Princess Remi Adebowale, Lolade Shonibare, Iyiola Oladokun, Iyaloja General of OSun State, Hawau Sindemade and prominent traditional rulers across the Southwest.
Olusi said all Yoruba traditional rulers were involved in the project to make Tinubu president of Nigeria right from inception. He noted that the monarchs’ involvement was the reason Tinubu is accepted by majority of the Yoruba and other tribes.
Olusi hinted that the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, initiated the summit before his death, to rally support for Tinubu’s candidacy.
Osoba said the idea that Tinubu should aspire for president was muted at a dinner held in his honour after he ended his tenure as governor of Lagos State. According to him, many prominent and progressive politicians were at the dinner to honour Tinubu for his outstanding performance.
He said: ‘It was at the gathering in 2007, we all pressurised him to aspire for president and he agreed. Since then, he has work tirelessly to justify the confidence we have in him.”
Sanwo-Olu admonished Nigerians to support Tinubu and vote for him massively. He said Tinubu is the right man for the job due to his track record, achievements and plans for Nigeria