Tinubu Rallies Home-Based Support, Visits Ogun Monarchs, Receives State Reception in Lagos

Tinubu Rallies Home-Based Support, Visits Ogun Monarchs, Receives State Reception in Lagos

It is good to be President of a country and especially one with political sagacity. It is no brainer that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the game of politics and highly calculative. He understands the importance of the home base and has been trying everything to rally the south west behind his presidency in attainment

It is good to be President of a country and especially one with political sagacity. It is no brainer that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the game of politics and highly calculative. He understands the importance of the home base and has been trying everything to rally the south west behind his presidency in attainment of some higher goals. For what reasons one may ask?

All Governors of Lagos State 1999 to Date

He needs a stable and settled home to tackle the enormous task of administering Nigeria. That notwithstanding, his victory at the February 25th polls is still being challenged in the Courts and will only terminate at the Supreme later in the year. The verdict is a double-edged sword; it could be good or bad news. Hypothetically, it is possible the Court cancels and orders another election going by the various arguments being canvassed in the court. Therefore, Tinubu would need the maximum votes of his own Yoruba people, especially if the race would be between him, Atiku Abubakar of PDP (North) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (South East).

His shuttles could also be a long-term political calculation towards reaping maximum support for a second term ticket. In the last election, Tinubu lost woefully in both Lagos and Osun states. He won by a skin margin in the remaining four states of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti. Tinubu would need to double his leads in the south west in future election. This has engendered political rapprochements between Tinubu’s supporters and some of his known and perceived adversaries. One of such was a recent visit to Chief Bode George an ardent critic of Tinubu. Governor Babajide Sawo-Olu has also reached out to a former governor Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode, who is gradually being reintegrated into the APC state structure.

Tinubu at the palace of Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland

Stirring his political base to a higher momentum, President Tinubu visited Ogun state on Thursday in what he tagged tagged a “thank you” visit. He first port of call was Ijebu-Ode, where he visited the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. There was no mincing words that Tinubu and the Royal father share a chummy relationship. He thereafter proceeded to the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. President Tinubu reminded the audience that he invoked the spirit of Emi Lokan – it’s my turn – from the traditional ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona . he invoked the spirit of freedom when he said ‘Emi Lokan’, and also when he projected victory for himself — both in Ogun state

His statement: “It is a homecoming and I owe so much to all of you and there is so much to thank you for, because of the way you have taken me. Your monies were confiscated. The cash swap was terrible then. I realised that and I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom for which we are noted for. I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba (referring to Awujale). The spirit of Baba – Emi l’okan (it’s my turn), that’s Baba.

He also used the opportunity to explain some of his actions since assumption of office: his statements on the naira policies and fuel scarcity. He later proceeded to Lagos where he was hosted to a civic reception and dinner by the state government in a gathering of who is who in Lagos state politically. Speaking to the audience, largely populated by his admirers and supporters. The event took place at Lagos State Government House, in Marina.
President Tinubu said he could have chosen to maintain the hitherto multiple foreign exchange systems and benefit from it, but instead opted for a unified exchange rate to save the country from financial hemorrhage. “I could afford to share the benefit by participating in the arbitrage, but God forbid! That’s not why you voted for me,” he said.

He explained some of his actions that may have inflicted hardship on the people, saying it was imperative to take those decisive actions in the early days of his administration. “We need to take the steps to stop the bleeding of our finances through speedy action on fuel subsidy. We have no choice,” He stated further that the government would “re-engineer the effectiveness of the control and management of our resources in order to meet the obligations to Nigerians by political officeholders.”

The President used the opportunity to solicit the support of governors present at the event to work with him in ensuring even development of the country. “We will work together with an open-door policy. We will bring Nigeria from the brink to a resilient economy. I want us to be partners so that we can rescue our land and make it a born-again nation.” He apologized to some of his friends and associates who had been yearning to see him but could not, because of the demands of his office. “The assignment is greater than the love of the living room. We got to do the job,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who put the reception together said “today is an auspicious day as it marks the one- month anniversary of our President’s tenure; a tenure that began with a promise of change and one that is already delivering on that promise. In one month, His Excellency has assembled a team of exceptional individuals who share his vision and are working tirelessly to transform Nigeria into a prosperous and inclusive nation. In President Tinubu, we see a leader committed to the development of Nigeria, its people and its future and once again, we welcome him back to his home state and wish everyone a joyful and peaceful Eid celebration”.

Southwest governors in collaboration with Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,the Ooni of Ife, and other prominent leaders in the region, are already planning a bigger reception to host President Bola Tinubu in a home coming event on Saturday, July 22. The reception is proposed to hold at the Ojaja Resort in Ile-Ife, Osun State. It is yet unclear, if Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, in whose state the event would take place will be part of the gathering. Governors Adeleke and Seyi Makinde are of the PDP.

But Governor Sanwo-Olu invited several other governors to the Lagos event. Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, pledged that state chief executives, regardless of party affiliations, were ready to cooperate and work with the President to ensure the country becomes better and safer for all citizens.

“NGF is excited that both the President and Vice President are alumni of the Governors’ Forum. We are committed to work with a federalist who worked to get things done in a truly federal system. We reiterate our support for a renewed hope agenda regardless of our parties.”

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of members of the National Assembly, thanked President Tinubu for his leadership in smoothening the take-off of the 10th National Assembly. “You will succeed. Nigerians are proud of you and the National Assembly is here for you 100 percent. We will do whatever is legislatively possible to make you succeed,” Akpabio said.

Immediate-past Minister of Works and Housing and former Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, pleaded with governors and Nigerians that the work of remaking Nigeria should not be left alone to the President, stating that good governance must be replicated across the 36 states.

Ayo Aluko-Olokun
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