2023: Tinubu pays homage to Ooni, Aromolaran in continuation of consultation tour

All Progressives Congress National Leader and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, paid homage to the Ooni of Ife, His Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland, His Majesty Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, in continuation of his nationwide tour consultation for his presidential bid.

The former Lagos State Governor commended the citizens and residents of Osun for their unflinching support and cooperation with the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, in the last three years.

Oba Ogunwusi, Oba Aromolaran, Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdul-Wahab Oyedotun and Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole all showered encomiums on Tinubu, throwing their weight behind his presidential ambition.

The revered traditional rulers endorsed the Lagos-born politician for President, saying, “you have done so much for humanity, it is a payback time for Nigerians to elect you.”

The APC National Leader had in the last few weeks begun his consultation visits to traditional rulers and eminent Nigerians to formally inform them of his presidential ambition and receive their blessings in that regard.

Speaking at the Ooni’s palace, Tinubu commended the traditional rulers for their unflinching cooperation and support for national integration, unity and peaceful cohesion, just as he declared his ambition to contest for the President.

He said the visit was to intimate the monarchs in particular and Nigerians in general of his ambition to run for presidential election, an ambition he described ‘as timely and prompt’.

“I thank you all. I specifically thank the traditional rulers here present; I came here to seek for your prayers. I am here for your support and cooperation. You have known my intention already. You have known what I am aspiring for; all I need is your prayers.

“I have been supporting the people here and there. We have moved all over the country for one candidate or the other especially in 2013 where we campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari after his emergence, we equally supported him in 2019.

“As you all know, what the Constitution says is just two terms for a president after which another person succeeds him. That is what we are going round the country to let our people know that I am ready to succeed the incumbent President after the expiration of his second term.

“As you all know, what we are doing is to succeed him and I want to vie for President. I want to succeed Buhari and I can’t do it alone without your support. I want your continued support. It is our belief that once Ooni, Orangun, Awujale, Alake, Owa, among others speak, it becomes ours. With your support, it will come to pass.

“I am determined, I am prepared and I am ready for it. God that put our traditional rulers in their various thrones will not forsake us. He will put us there. I want to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I want your continued prayers,” he added.

In their separate remarks in their palaces, the Ooni of Ife and the Owa Obokun described Tinubu as the pride of Yoruba race whose great impacts in the lives of humanity cannot be quantified.

The duo declared their readiness to support Asiwaju’s ambition, saying he has paid his dues to be duly rewarded.

“You have done so much for humanity to be elected President. You have made so many people in different capacities. You have done so well as a distinguished Nigerian. God has blessed you and you have used every stratum of your opportunity to advance humanity and develop capacity for generations. We are very happy to receive you today.

“You are our pride. You are our star. You are our moon. You are a rare gem at the moment and we pray God to continue to strengthen you and imbue you with all that will work for you to succeed”, Ooni said.

In his brief remarks, the Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola expressed gratitude to the people of the State, particularly the APC loyalists for renewing their confidence in his Administration as demonstrated in the last primary election.

He expressed confidence in the ability, capacity and competence of Tinubu to take the nation to promised land.