The President, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, arrived at the private residence of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and declared that he invoked the spirit of freedom upon Southwest geopolitical zone during his electioneering in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Tinubu said during the campaign session, he made some popular statements which resonated with Nigerians and his supporters, stressing they were deliberate and deployed to invoke the spirit.
The former Lagos State governor recalled the hardship that characterized the Central Bank of Nigeria cash swap policy during the build up to 2023 general elections compelled him to invoke the spirit of freedom in the South West state.
“I invoked the spirit of freedom in Ogun,” the president said.
He clarified this while speaking at the palace of Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu Ode.
The President is on private visit to Awujale and other monarchs in Ogun state.
Tinubu touched his foot at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, in Ijebu-Ode local government area of the State some minutes after 10.am, and was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategies, Dele Alake.
He was received by Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in the state.
Tinubu landed in a Presidential chopper marked, 5N FG2, Nigeria Airforce, inspected Military Guard of honour before proceeding to Oba Adetona’s residence for the private visit.
He described the visit as home coming.
“It is a homecoming and I owe so much to all of you and there is so much to thank you for. Because of the way you have taken me and the way you’ve responded to me, all I can say is thank you.
“To many of you, thank you for being there for me and being there for the country. You demonstrated so much loyalty, so much commitment and voted at a very crucial time.
“Your monies were confiscated. The cash swap didn’t work. It was terrible then. I realised that and I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom for which we are noted for.
“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba (referring to Awujale). The spirit of Baba – Emi l’okan (it’s my turn), that’s Baba. The spirit for being blunt and that is him.
“And the second spirit is that of money (Naira scarcity), ‘ama dibo ama wole’ (we will vote and we will win) even if there is no money. And that, ever since, has been the spirit that is driving me to serve.
“I invoked the spirit of Emi Lokan from Baba (The Awujale of Ijebuland). That’s the spirit of freedom and that’s who we are as a people.
“I came to Ogun state to invoke the spirit of freedom from which we are noted for. I invoked that spirit thrice – the spirit of Baba (Awujale) is Emi Lokan. That’s Baba, being blunt, being incisive, that’s him, he will tell you.
“And the second spirit is that money or no money, ‘A ma dibo’ (We will vote) A ma wole (We will win). Bi ko sowo (Whether there’s no money). And ever since, it’s been the spirit that’s driving me to serve.
“I’m honoured Baba. I am honoured. I’ve just come to respond to whom calling, saying I need to see you.
“Thank you for being there for me and for there for the country. You’ve demonstrated so much loyalty, so much commitment.
“Baba, this is your President. This is your son Thank you. Thank you for everything. I thank God for you being alive to witness today, to witness the result of the election that you prayed for us your children.
“You have an uncommon courage and you passed it to us. We utilised it to serve and to invoke the spirit of who we are a people, very proud and honourable people, people of great character. Our diversity for prosperity will never be forgotten,” the President said.
