A former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that his presidency is a collective achievement rooted in Yoruba leadership.
Osoba, who stated this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) South West Zone Assembly meeting in Lagos, urged the assembly and the wider Yoruba community to continue to the support for Tinubu despite any perceived shortcomings.
“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,” he stated.
“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,” he added.
Osoba highlighted a crucial decision made by South West leaders in 2007, which facilitated Tinubu’s transition from state politics to national role.
“Bola didn’t make himself the president of Nigeria; we did,” Osoba stated.
He elaborated, “Seventeen years ago, in 2007, after his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, we gathered at a luncheon organised 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.”
The assembly also reflected on the historical challenges faced by the Yoruba people in their quest for national leadership.
Osoba also remarked that, “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.”