Politics
2023 Presidency: Ibadan unites in support of Tinubu
The aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, last Saturday got boosted as family heads (Mogajis); Baales, chiefs and other notable groups in Ibadanland validated his quest to lead the country.
They unanimously declared their support for the former Lagos State governor at a well-attended event held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The event, tagged ‘Ilaji Farm Mobilize For Tinubu/Shettima Endorsement In Oyo State’ was organised by a social political group under the aegis of Rontex for BAT Political Signature, and convened by Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan.
Other groups that endorsed Tinubu’s presidency included the Agbekoya, O’dua Peoples Congress (OPC) Fasehun faction, Irorun O’dua and non-indigenes represented by people from Akwa- Ibom.
Speaking at the event, Chief Dotun Sanusi said he could vouch for Tinubu, describing him as the most competent among the candidates eyeing the presidential seat.
Sanusi maintained that he believed in Tinubu’s aspiration and would do everything humanly possible to ensure he emerges as the next president.
His words, “I have never taken contracts from any government. I have not taken anything from anybody, but I do accept destiny and the will of God.
“But, it should be said everywhere that the person I have confidence in, who will end our sufferings in Ibadan and Oyo State is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are talking of presidential poll, not governorship, not National Assembly and not House of Assembly elections. We stand on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the billionaire businessman declared.
The Ibadan Mogaji, however, called on all groups to mobilise support at the grassroots for Tinubu, who according to him, would bring prosperity to all and sundry.
Sanusi, who said he was born a Muslim and today a Christian assured Nigerians that fears being expressed in some quarters over the Muslim -Muslim ticket only exist in the realm of imagination, adding that Tinubu protected the interests of Christians as Governor of Lagos State.
Also speaking, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Yemisi Adeaga, declared that Ibadan would always have a position.
According to Adeaga, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, had sent him to tell the people that “they are keenly watching the character, nature, disposition and relevance of the candidates”.
He added, “for now, we are still watching and we know that by the grace of God, as it was being done before, Olubadan will give a directive through his council for Ibadan people.
“But then, we must state categorically that nobody goes against his people if that can be decoded,” he said.
In his remarks, Hon. Oyetunji Ojo, the Convener, South-west Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA), noted that the body language of the Baales, Mogajis, Obas and groups showed they were in support of Tinubu’s presidency.
The former lawmaker informed that over 10,000 Baales and Mogajis signed a compendium to endorse Tinubu, saying “the body language is all over and you can see their representatives.
“Once the Baales have agreed to that, once the Kabiyesis have agreed to that and once the Mogajis have agreed to that in Ibadanland, you know its a done deal,” he said.
Corroborating Ojo’s position, the National Secretary Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Hon. Bosun Oladele described the endorsement of the former governor of Lagos state as a mark of acceptability and a new beginning of good things to come from 2023.
The former lawmaker reiterated that the message to the South-west was unassailable
which is 15 million votes for Tinubu. “And we can only achieve that if we mobilise all our registered voters”.
He said, “we are here because of a wonderful and unprecedented event. We are here because we needed to listen to the call of our people. As you know Chief Sanusi is a prominent Ibadan leader, a community and opinion leader here. He has been able to galvanise the chiefs and Baales in Ibadanland, he has been able to bring everybody together under one umbrella. And the reason for that is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate for APC and the next president of the federal republic of Nigeria by the grace of God.
“We have done the street work. Now, we are going into unit-by-unit. We are going to have unit Marshalls, Unit Captains, and Polling Booth Marshalls.
“All these are people that will work with us. So, the campaign has gone to the level of one-on-one”, Oladele 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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