By DAPO FALADE
Campaigns for the 2023 presidential election has commenced as the South West Agenda (SWAGA 2023), a coalition of politicians in the South-West, visited the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to solicit their support for the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday.
The visit to the two prominent traditional rulers was ahead of the launch of the group billed for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday.
Prominent among those in attendance during the Monday visit are the Chairman, Planning Committee of the group, Senator Dayo Adeyeye; Senator Adesoji Akanbi; former House of Representatives member, Otunba Abayomi Ogunnusi; and former Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, Bosun Oladele.
Others included Alhaja Kafilat Ogbara, Tinubu’s son in-law, Oyetunde Ojo; Toba Oke; one of the children of former Lagos State governor, Deji Jankande; former Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Abegunde Abena; Mutiu Okunola and Makinde Rotimi.
Speaking on the essence of the visits, Senator Adegeye said: “Today, we are at home. Our mission is political. Politics has started and everyone is scrambling.
“We, the Yoruba people, see it as our turn because it is the agreement that presidency would be rotational. We have both written and unwritten contracts. After President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years, it is the turn of the Yoruba.
“In the South, we have South-East, South-South and South-West. We have a joker in the South-West and the joker is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who was part of the struggle for democracy. I was the Media Adviser to the late Chief MKO Abiola.
“There are fundamentals of governance and we want someone who is versed in politics to go into the race. We see that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has the clout and he is qualified. As experienced politicians, we see that Tinubu is qualified.
“After MKO Abiola who defeated his opponent in his ward, Senator Tinubu is the only person who can pull the stunts. We are here on our own accord We were not sent by Asiwaju but we believe in him.”
The former Minister of State for Works also said the agenda of the group is to call out meaning South-Westerners to encourage, market and support the candidature of Tinubu for the presidency in 2023,adding that the goal is driven by desire for a common front to push the Yoruba Agenda for the leadership of country.
“We are having our inaugural meeting in Ibadan on Tuesday. The reason for choosing Ibadan is that it is the headquarters of the South-West. You will recall that Chief Obafemi Awolowo started his political journey in Ibadan. That is why we are in Ibadan. As the father in Ibadan, we deemed it fit to come for prayers at the palace for a successful mission.”
Responding, the Olubadan of Ibadan said: “As we know, there is freedom of movement, expression and association in the country. There is nothing wrong in making attempts and giving presidency a shot. We recall your efforts since the period of Afenifere to the time of June 12. As the father of all, I am receptive to all political parties in the land.
“I pray for the success of the inaugural meeting holding tomorrow. I pray for all the states of the South-West. I pray for all towns and villages and cities. Oh God, heat our prayers and bless our course in life.”
Also the Alaafin of Oyo said he believed in the mission of the group, adding: “In Yoruba land, covenant is very important. We believe that with law of retributive justice, if you break covenant the repercussion is great. You may think it (race for 2023) is too early but it is never too early to start.
“Last week, the Boko Haram slaughtered many people like goats. We cannot continue like that. If you want to have a country that is forward moving, there must be federal system government.
“There is no sincerity in the politics of Nigeria. Things have not changed in this country; there is insincerity. We need to have a president who can listen.
“We have not been fortunate to have the kind of president that we deserve. We are the first to build skyscraper, cocoa industry, we had always been ahead. Money was used for the purpose for which it was meant, so we were prepared and developing.
“If education during the time of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was on concurrent list, there would not have been free education in the South-West. I said it at different fora that the illiterates cannot govern the literates, it cannot work.
“If the Queen of England was invited to the Parliament, she must appear. I believe in your mission. The Yoruba believe that everything that you want to do requires prayers. I pray that you will succeed in this mission.”
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