Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that the President would turn the fortune of the country round for the better despite the current economic challenges.
Osoba who recalled that the decision taken over a decade ago to launch Tinubu to the national stage, had subsequently led to his rise to the presidency today, stressing that it was not a single man’s achievement, but the result of a collective effort by Yoruba leadership.
The veteran journalist made this known at the All Progressives Congress South West Zone Assembly meeting held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
In a viral post seen on the X platform on Sunday, prominent political leaders from the zone reflected on the critical role they played in the political emergence of President Bola Tinubu.
The ex – Governor, during the assembly, emphasised the strategic decision taken by South West leaders in 2007 to elevate Tinubu from state-level politics in Lagos to the national political arena.
While the meeting lasted, the assembly took a cursory look on past political struggles engaged by the Southwest geopolitical zone, especially their long-standing pursuit of leadership at the national level.
Aremo Osoba further called on members of the assembly, as well as the wider Yoruba community, to support Tinubu, despite any perceived shortcomings in his leadership.
Osoba said, “Seventeen years ago, in 2007, after his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, we gathered at a luncheon organized by Alhaji Hamsa, our leader in the South West at that time. It was at that meeting we collectively decided that Bola should move from Lagos politics to the national stage, to represent the interests of the Yoruba people at the topmost level of Nigerian politics.
“Many of us here today worked tirelessly to support the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s quest for the presidency, but he wasn’t allowed to get there.
“Similarly, we rallied behind the late MKO Abiola’s presidential ambition, but we lost him, and with him, the opportunity. They killed many of us because of our mission to make this country better. But we thank God that some of us are still alive to witness Bola Tinubu’s success.
“Now that Bola Tinubu is there, I want to plead with all of you to accept his shortcomings. He will do better. After his first four-year term, he will serve another four years as a Yoruba son.
“The South West Assembly’s message is clear – the Yoruba leadership stands united behind Tinubu’s presidency and remains confident in his ability to deliver on his promises during his tenure.
“Bola didn’t make himself the President of Nigeria; we did. Seventeen years ago, in 2007, after his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, a luncheon was organized by Alhaji Hamsa, our leader in the South West at that time.
“At that meeting, we collectively decided that Bola should move from Lagos State politics to the national stage to represent the interests of the Yoruba at the highest level of Nigerian politics. We thank God that today, Bola is the first progressive President of this country.
“Many of us here today worked tirelessly to support the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s quest for the presidency, but he wasn’t allowed to get there. Similarly, we rallied behind the late MKO Abiola’s presidential ambition, but we lost him, and with him, the opportunity. Many of us were killed because of our mission to make this country better, but we thank God some of us are still alive.
“Now that Bola Tinubu is in office, I want to plead with all of you to accept his shortcomings. He will do better. After his first four-year term, he will serve another four years as a Yoruba son.”
