Politics
2023: ‘We ’ll drive Tinubu’s agenda to logical end’ – Sanwo-Olu flags off SWAGA in Lagos
The Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, said there is no going back as Nigerians would drive the presidential ambition of former governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to its logical conclusion, adding that “we will all witness the inauguration of our political icon come 2023.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who described the APC National Leader as a “core political thinker” of the contemporary generation, also noted that Tinubu’s consistency in progressive politics stood him out as a beacon and rallying figure capable of delivering directional leadership to the country in the next dispensation.
He stated this in Lagos during the public launch of the South-west Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA ‘23), a group championing the ambition Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be become Nigeria’s president.
Although, Tinubu is rumoured to be interested in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, but the prominent politician is yet to make any public declaration.
The governor was accompanied by all members of the state executive council, lawmakers in the state’s House of Assembly, and members of Conference 57 to formally unveil the political group.
SWAGA, according to the governor was formed based on the belief in Tinubu’s vision and political philosophy that prioritise development of human capital and economy.
“Asiwaju Tinubu’s story has been a legend in vision, passion and action. These three values stand him out among his contemporaries in national politics today. It is no wonder the man stretches his arm of fellowship beyond Lagos, the state he led for eight years as a Governor and in which he bequeathed the legacy we are building on. He is nationalist in thinking and progressive in action.
“The SWAGA we are launching in Lagos today is a demonstration of Tinubu’s enduring political principles and strong vision. Those behind the movement took the three values and pushed them with passion. What we are witnessing today is the action from the vision and passion; this is what SWAGA represents. By the grace of God, we will drive this agenda to a logical end and we will all witness the inauguration of our political icon come 2023”, Sanwo-Olu assured.
The governor said he would join hands with SWAGA coordinators to take the agenda beyond the South-west region and make it a national movement.
Sanwo-Olu, however assured the promoters of SWAGA of his continued support, just as he promised to mobilise more political support for the group.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the group, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye noted that Lagos was the last state to be visited since the movement started last December.
The former Minister of Works and Media Adviser to late MKO Abiola, also informed that all political and traditional rulers across the Southwest were in tune with the agenda being pushed by the SWAGA.
Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has declared his willingness to step aside in the 2027 elections if a stronger candidate emerges to lead the party.
Adebayo made this statement on Sunday during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.
“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it, but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” he said.
The lawyer and politician emphasised that his ambition would not stand in the way of a more capable leader who could address Nigeria’s challenges.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time,” he added.
Adebayo assured Nigerians that the SDP would present a candidate worthy of national support, capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
He further stressed that the SDP would avoid divisive politics based on religion and ethnicity.
“What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones,” he noted.
According to him, the party aims to produce a candidate whose emergence will be met with widespread approval.
“When we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP, and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’,” Adebayo said.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Moshood Olayide-Abas on his appointment as the Board Chairman of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oseni, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described Olajide’s appointment as a recognition of his dedication to the party and his contributions to its growth in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker commended President Tinubu for considering competent and loyal party members for key federal appointments.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our leader, Prince Abas Olajide on this well-deserved appointment. His leadership and commitment to the APC in Oyo State have been exemplary. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role,” Oseni stated.
He also congratulated other notable figures from Oyo State who were appointed to federal boards, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering on their mandates.
“This is not just an opportunity but a call to service. I encourage all appointees to work diligently in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Oseni expressed optimism that these appointments would further strengthen governance at the national level and reinforce the APC’s political structure in Oyo State.
Less than a month after former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party’s North-West leadership has denied that he is a registered member.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, the North-West Assistant Secretary of the SDP, Idris Inuwa, asserted that neither the ward nor the state chapter of the party has any record of El-Rufai’s membership.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumoured to have joined the SDP. However, neither the chairman of Kaduna North Local Government in Kaduna State nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” he stated.
Inuwa, therefore, urged El-Rufai and other prospective members to follow the proper membership process if they wish to officially join the SDP.
“We advise him and any other interested individuals to adhere to the established procedures for membership registration,” he added.
Furthermore, the North-West Zonal Assistant Secretary rejected the dissolution of the Kaduna State working committee of the SDP by the party’s National Working Committee.
“While we recognise the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasise that there are well-defined guidelines and constitutional provisions governing membership admission. The Kaduna State chapter of SDP remains open to all prospective members who comply with the established procedures,” Inuwa stated.
It will be recalled that El-Rufai resigned his membership of the APC and defected to the SDP on 10 March 2025.
In his resignation statement, El-Rufai cited concerns over what he described as the “capricious trajectory” of the ruling party, which he alleged the leadership had failed to address.
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