The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and other prominent traditional rulers in Ogun state including the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle have pledged their support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition.
Also, the monarchs described the former governor of Lagos state and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
The cultural custodians, who played host to a group of rainbow coalition of like minded politicians of South West extraction under the aegis of South West Agenda (SWAGA ’23), in their palaces declared that Tinubu is the best and preferred choice from the southwest zone of the country.
Remarking, the Alake of Egbaland , Oba Gbadebo, who said he had envisioned the former Lagos state governor serves as the nation’s president a very long time ago, also expressed confidence that the group will succeed in its assignment.
Also commenting, the Olu of Ilaro noted that his support for the APC national leader is apolitical, stressing that Tinubu is the most qualified candidate any political party in the South West could boast of.
According to Oba Olugbenle, the south west could not produce any other candidate that is as fit as Tinubu for the Presidential race in 2023
The Paramount ruler of Yewaland maintained that the contribution of Tinubu to the growth and development of Nigeria was second to none, adding that he possesses the needed sagacity, tenacity and experience to rule the country.
“His legacies as former governor of Lagos State can attest to the fact that he is the most qualified for the job.
“When he was the governor of Lagos State, the foundation he laid was what all his successors are building on, which has made the State a force to be reckoned with in the country.
“It is not about party. It is about the product that we are bringing in. He is the best man any party can present in the south. Not about APC or any other party but about the national development”, the monarch said.
On his part, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland noted that the Presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a collective project that must be supported not only by Remoland, but the entire southwest.
The monarch, who offered prayers for the success of Tinubu’s presidential aspiration in 2023, also assured that the entire Remoland will key into the project of ensuring a true and patriotic Nigerian in the calibre of Tinubu to succeed Buhari.
Also receiving the SWAGA 23 delegation at his Asoludero Court, Sagamu residence, former Ogun state governor, Gbenga Daniel preached unity of purpose.
While noting that the group has reignited the political strength and unity across the southwest, Governor Daniel, however advised its leadership not to lose focus and mobilise support beyond the southwest. He urged the group to collaborate with similar groups in order to actualise its ambition.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of SWAGA ‘23, Senator Dayo Adeyeye disclosed that the mode of operations of the group is strictly voluntary and self-financing body, with the objective of convincing Tinubu to contesting for president in 2023.
The former minister of state for works further emphasized that if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would follow agreement and zone presidency to the south in 2023, the APC national leader should be put forward and supported by the southeast and south-south.
Adeyeye submitted, “Tinubu is a good product that doesn’t need any advertisement and he has contributed greatly to the growth and development of the nation. He is consummate democrat and progressive.
“South West is interested to contest for the presidency in 2023. The person who can help us win this ticket is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“He has done a lot for Nigerians irrespective of religion and tribe. He has built bridges across the country”.
The delegation included, former Oyo Senator, Oyo South Senatorial District, Adesoji Akanbi, former House of Representatives’ members, Hon. Bosun Oladele (Secretary), Hon. Rotimi Makinde, Hon Ojo, Senator Obadara, Ogun State Central Working Committee chairman, Arch Dunni Opayemi, Suraj Adekunbi Ishola and Hon Abiodun Ishiaq Akinlade, Ogun State coordinators of SWAGA 23 among others.
The group, thereafter launched its Ogun State chapter in Abeokuta, the state capital on Tuesday, targeting Kogi and Akwa Ibom states soon.
