2023: Group activates Tinubu’s presidential ambition, woo Alaafin, Olubadan

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a group of rainbow coalition of like minded politicians of South West extraction under the aegis of South West Agenda (SWAGA ’23), on Monday visited the palaces of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi to solicit royal blessing and support  for the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the office of the President of Nigeria.

The SWAG4 2023, which is billed for launch at the Mauve 21, Ibadan on Tuesday also disclosed that its goal is driven by desire for a common front to push the Yoruba Agenda for leadership of Nigeria. 

Among those in attendance during the visit include :the Chairman, Planning Committee of the group, former Minister, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye; Sen. Adesoji Akanbi who represented Oyo South Senatorial District between 2011-2015, former House of Representatives’ members , Otunba Abayomi Ogunnusi; former 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.

Speaking, both in Ibadan and Oyo, where the team received a warm reception, Sen. Adeyeye, who led the delegation explained that there is an agreement in both APC and PDP that the Presidency should be a rotational between the North and the South.

He stressed that now after the eight years of President Buhari, it is the turn of South, which also housed three geo-political zones, including South-west, South-south and South-east respectively.

According to the former minister of works, in all these three components of South, Asiwaju Tinubu from the South-west is the most qualified, who has paid his due in political arena before and during this political dispensation.

“The tour is not a political campaign but a sensitization drive. The agenda of the group is to call out 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.

“Yoruba race and Nigerians in general stand to benefit much from Tinubu’s Presidency.

“We are here to pay homage. What we are here for is for Yoruba to succeed President Buhari is 2023. We can not do this without visitation to the palace.

“I have the privilege to tell you that we are representing Yoruba race. We are more than this. We are clamouring for Yoruba race to succeed President Muhamadu Buhari in 2023. And Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the man we are clamouring for”, Adeyeye submitted.

Remarking, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who declared support for the Yoruba Agenda project said the mission of delegation is thought of, noting that covenant is very important, which must be fulfilled either written or not.

The monarch maintained that anyone who renege on agreement should be ready to face the consequences.

Alaafin said, “Covenant is very important and must be fulfilled, anyone who breach the agreement should be ready to face the consequences.

“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. Your mission is thought of, be strong, hopeful and your aspiration shall be met”, the custodian of culture counseled.

Also, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, in his remarks, said that the palace is open for all Yoruba politicans who wishes to contest elections to seek support of the monarch.

“I appreciate you all. I am proud of you. In Nigeria, if you do not demand for your right, they many not give you. You will prosper with this group. Let me tell you that the doors of the palace is widely opened to all Yoruba politicans who wishes to seek votes.”