Baba Eto-led The Mandate Movement Is Mainstream, Enjoys Tinubu’s Endorsement — Bamigbade

The national leadership of The Mandate Movement has denied the existence of another mainstream of the group, saying the Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, popularly known as Baba Eto-led leadership is the main and only one.

This is in response to a media report at the weekend credited to one Chief Olu Arulogun, who claimed to be the chairman of all chairmen of The Mandate Movement, under the leadership of one Abdullahi Ayinde Enilolobo.

In a statement on Monday by the Director of Media and Publicity of The Mandate Movement, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, the Movement urged Nigerians to ignore the report, insisting that there is one mainstream The Mandate Movement which is led by Baba Eto.

He noted that The Mandate Movement has the endorsement of the President, Bola Tinubu and could not have said he did not order the creation of the group, saying Chief Arulogun and his cohorts

He said, “As a matter of fact, the relationship between Cardinal Odunmbaku and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been confirmed to have pre-dated the emergence of the latter as Lagos State governor in 1999.

“In the run-up to the election, Odunmbaku was appointed the state chairman of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation (BATCO) which has metamorphosed into what is today known as the “The Mandate Group.” Interestingly, Baba Eto still remains the National chairman of the group till today and he has continued to enjoy the support of President Tinubu till date.

“Just in case they have forgotten, where were they when Baba Eto served as a member of the Central Working Committee of Alliance for Democracy from 1998 to 2006 when he worked in synergy with Tinubu during a period he was building his structure?”

Dr. Bamigbade further urged Nigerians to continue offering support to the President Tinubu-led administration, expressing hope that the repair processes being carried by the President on the economy will soon yield positive results.