2023: Yoruba Group seeks support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition, visits Emir of Ilorin
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Members of a socio-cultural group in Nigeria, Yoruba Progressive Forum (YPF) have urged the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR to support the presidential bid of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Olalekan Lateef, and made available to journalists in Osogbo made the plea yesterday, during their advocacy visit to the Palace of the Emir, in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
The Group had since last year started canvassing for Tinubu as they have visited many Traditional Rulers in the southwest. Some of the leaders of APC, such as Chief Bisi Akande have also been visited by the group.
National Coordinator described the monarch as one of the most influential kings in North Central, hence, the need for him to use his influence to convince residents of the state and the geopolitical zone to support Tinubu’s Presidential ambition.
Lateef said their visitation to the capital of the ‘State of Harmony’ was long overdue.
He noted that members of the group, across the federation, converged in Ilorin with the sole purpose of paying homage to the Prominent Traditional ruler, whom he described as God-fearing and most influential.
“Your Royal Highness, sir, members of YPF deemed it necessary to pay an advocacy visit to the palace first, to familiarise ourselves with you, and to solicit your support for the presidential bid of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Asiwaju Tinubu has always been part of the factors that entrenched this present democratic system. He has, continually worked to sustains it and, in the process, elevated many Yoruba sons and daughters onto high pedestals.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a de-tribalized Nigerian who had transformed many lives regardless of their political and religious affiliations.
“When Asiwaju was a governor in Lagos State, he appointed not only Yoruba as members of his cabinet, he also appointed other tribes as his aides apart from those who got tickets to become lawmakers at both national and state assembly through him.
“None of the supposed presidential aspirants in the country has made much sacrifice for the growth of the nation’s democracy than the national leader of the APC, Ahmed Tinubu.
“By simple assessment, none of them has a good chance of clinching the APC ticket in the primaries than Asiwaju Tinubu does.
“We need your support to make his presidential ambition realizable. We want you to use your influence to convince the residents of the state of harmony and the entire people in the North Central of the country,” Alhaji Lateef said.
In his world, the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari appreciated members of the group for deeming it necessary to visit him.
The Emir assured the group of his Support for the presidential Aspirant saying truly, Tinubu has contributed immensely to the development of the country.
He, however, charged Nigerians to continue to live together in peace, harmony, and prosperity stressing that such factors are capable of rejuvenating the nation and her people.
He, thereafter, prayed for the members of the group to be successful in their dealings, just as he prayed for Tinubu on his Political ambition and Nigeria at large.
