The Olubadàn of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, will soon endorse the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Candidate, Bola Tinubu, ahead of the 2023 elections.

Yemisi Adeaga, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, revealed this on Saturday in an event endorsing Mr Tinubu by Ibadan family heads (Mogajis), Baales and other groups.

Mr Adeaga, who said that he was sent by the revered monarch, stated that the Olubadan sent him to tell the people that “they are keenly watching the character, nature, disposition and relevance of the candidates.”

He said that while the Olubadan was still keenly watching and would in due time give a directive through his council for Ibadan people, however, it must be stated categorically that “nobody goes against his own people, if that can be decoded.”

The meeting to support Mr Tinubu, held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan and organised under the auspices of Rontex for BAT Political Signature, was convened by Ronke Carew and hosted by Dotun Sanusi.

Mr Sanusi, an Ibadan Mogaji, popularly called Ilaji, is the Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan.

Among other groups that endorsed Mr Tinubu were the Agbekoya, the Fasehun faction of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Irorun O’dua and non-indigenes.

Mr Sanusi described Mr Tinubu as “the most competent” among the candidates, saying he could vouch for him any day and anywhere.

“I have never taken contracts from any government. I have not taken anything from anybody, but I do accept destiny and the will of God.

“But, it should be said everywhere that the person I have confidence in, who will end our sufferings in Ibadan and Oyo State is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are talking of presidential poll, not governorship, not national assembly and not house of assembly elections. We stand on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Mr Sanusi called on all groups to mobilise support for Mr Tinubu, whom he said would bring prosperity to all and sundry.

The Mogaji said that Mr Tinubu protected the interests of Christians as governor of Lagos, adding he was born a Muslim and today a Christian.

In his remarks, Oyetunde Ojo, the Convener, South-West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA), said that the body language of the Baales, Mogajis, Obas and groups showed they were in support of Mr Tinubu for president.

Mr Ojo said: “10,000 Baales and Mogajis signed a compendium. The body language is all over and you can see their representatives.

“Once the Baales have agreed to that, once the Kabiyesis have agreed to that and once the Mogajis have agreed to that in Ibadanland, you know it’s a done deal,” he said.

Also, Bosun Oladele, the SWAGA National Secretary, described the endorsement of Mr Tinubu as a mark of acceptability and a new beginning of good things to come from 2023.

“The message to the South-West is unassailable. It is 15 million votes for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we can only do that if we mobilise all our registered voters,” he said.

Ms Carew, in her remarks, said that various support groups were working assiduously to mobilise 15 million votes for Mr Tinubu in the South-West.

“We don’t want them to lose their votes, they should vote Tinubu in. As a Yoruba speaking town, especially Oyo State in general, they should vote.

“We are looking for 15 million votes from them. They should be able to carry out and that is what we are doing now from local government to the grassroots,” she said.

Commenting, Abass Oloko, said that as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, his vote and that of his followers and associates are for Mr Tinubu.

Elder Taiye Ayorinde, the Baale of Ekotedo, Ibadan, who spoke on behalf of all the village Heads in Ibadanland, said that the Baales were behind the candidature of Mr Tinubu.

Mr Ayorinde also presented a compendium signed by 10,000 Mogajis and Baales in Ibadanland in support of Tinubu, as well as an Award of Excellence to Mr Ojo for delivery to the APC presidential candidate.

The event was attended by Otun-Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Wasiu Afolabi, OPC factional president, among other dignitaries.

(NAN)