-Deborah Akinyosoye
Former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu, emphasising that his rise to the presidency was not a solo achievement, but the result of a concerted effort by Yoruba leadership.
Osoba made this statement at the All Progressives Congress South West Zone Assembly meeting held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
In a viral post sighted on the X platform on Sunday, key political leaders from the region reflected on the pivotal role they played in the political rise of President Bola Tinubu.
Osoba, during the assembly, underscored the strategic decision taken by South West leaders in 2007 to elevate Tinubu from state-level politics in Lagos to the national political arena.
“Bola didn’t make himself the President of Nigeria; we did,” 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.”
The assembly also reflected on past political struggles faced by the Yoruba people, especially their long-standing pursuit of leadership at the national level.
“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,” Osoba continued.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
President Bola Tinubu, who was elected as Nigeria’s president in 2023, has often been regarded as a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, especially for his role in transforming Lagos into an economic powerhouse during his tenure as governor.
While his presidency, seen as a victory for progressive politics, has garnered widespread support from the South West region, he has also faced criticism in some quarters for economic challenges and political decisions.
Nevertheless, Osoba reiterated, “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.”