Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, Yoruba leaders and other political leaders in South West have narrated how they influenced the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to contest for president of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, said nobody is above the king in Yorubaland as the kings in Yorubaland have endorsed Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria in the February 25, poll.
Osoba, monarch and other political leaders in the region spoke at the Yoruba and South West leaders of Thought Summit at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday.
According to Osoba, Tinubu joining presidential race was not his own making but making of prominent and progressive politicians from southwest who pressurised him (Tinubu) in 2007 to join race for president.
The former Ogun governor said the idea of Tinubu should aspired for president of Nigeria was muted at a dinner organised for him after he ended his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
According to him, many prominent and progressive politicians were at the dinner, held at popular hotel along Awolowo Road , Ikoyi to honour for him for his outstanding performance.
Osoba said, “It was at the gathering in 2007, we all pressurised him to aspire for president and he agreed, since then, he had work tirelessly to justify the confidence we have in him.”
He later moved the motion for the endorsement of Tinubu and seconded by the Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Samson Oladokun.
The submit which was attended by many prominent politicians, Yoruba leaders, elders, market and religious leaders from southwest, was also used to endorsed Tinubu as sole candidate for president.
Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, chairman of the submit, Arh. Bishop Ayo Oladigbolu, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Sotobi, and others charged Yoruba to unite for Tinubu.
They all pleaded that Nigerians whoever felt Tinubu offended him to forgive and forget, but mobilized for support Tinubu candidature in best interest of Nigeria.
The host governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu also charged Nigerians to support Tinubu and vote for him massively .
He said “Tinubu is the right man for job of President due to his track record, achievement and plan for Nigeria.”
Sanwo-Olu stated; “The gathering is to remind the sons and daughters of Yorùbá land that the election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a collective responsibility in the South-West given the disposition of the region to ensure the continued unity and existence of the country.
“The leaders of thought summit is coming barely five days to the presidential election to forge a common front and reaffirm confidence in the capability of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn around the fortunes of the country.
“The wealth of experience in public and private sectors stands Asiwaju Bola Ahmed out as the only viable alternative Nigeria needs as the next President.”
