Politics
2023: Alaafin endorses Tinubu for president
T he ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu got a boost on Monday as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III endorsed the candidacy of the former Lagos state governor for the office of the President of Nigeria in 2023.
The revered monarch, Oba Adeyemi announced his endorsement of Tinubu while receiving in Courtesy visit delegation of South West Agenda (SWAGA ’23), a group of rainbow coalition of like minded politicians of South West extraction, in his palace.
The group, led by a former Minister, Prince Dayo Adeyeye also had, former Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Otunba Abayomi Ogunnusi; Hon. Bosun Oladele, Alhaja Kafilat Ogbara, Tinubu’s son in-law, Oyetunde Ojo; Toba Oke, son to former Lagos State Governor, Deji Jankande; former Secretary to the State Government in Ondo State, Abegunde Abena; Mutiu Okunola, and Makinde Rotimi among others; as its members.
SWAGA’s agenda is to mobilize all well meaning South-Westerners to encourage, market and support the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the office of the President of Nigeria in 2023.
Oba Adeyemi, who declared that he believed in the mission of the group, also added that its mission is well thought of, noting that covenant is very important, which must be fulfilled either written or not.
He warned, “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”.
The custodian of culture, who decried the spate of insecurity in the country further submitted , “you said you have defeated Bokoharam technically. You also made various claims , but the point is that nothing has happened, people are being killed. The latest of such was last week, the Boko Haram knelt people down and slaughtered them like goats. We cannot continue like that.
“If you want to have a country that is forward moving, there must be federal system of government. There is no sincerity in Nigeria politics, lack of fate in the political arrangement of Nigeria is one of the major set back facing the country.
“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 for, so we were prepared and developing. If education during the time of Chief Obafemi Awolwo was on concurrent list, there would not have been free primary 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.
“Your mission is well thought of, be strong, hopeful and your aspiration shall be met
“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”, Oba Adeyemi concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, the former Minister of Works , Prince Adeyeye explained that SWAGA’s goal is driven by desire for a common front to push the Yoruba Agenda for leadership of Nigeria.
He maintained that there is an agreement in both APC and PDP that the Presidency should be a rotational between the North and the South. The APC chieftain,also added that after the eight years of President Buhari, it is the turn of South, comprising of the South-west, South-south and South-east geo-political zones
In his words, “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 Tinibu, who was part of the struggle for democracy. I was the Media Adviser the late 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”, Prince Adeyeye added.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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