Governor Rotimi Akeredolu says there is a divine backing of APC presidential standard bearer Bola Tinubu’s ambition ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“What we believe and stand by is that since we started this republic in 1999, we have been rotating power from North to South, and for us, by that rotation, this is the time of South,” the Ondo governor declared and insisted power should shift to the South, parroting Mr Tinubu’s now infamous ’emi lokan’ outburst.

“This is our time, and nobody is going to take it. ‘Awa lokan’; wonderful theme for this time. When the theme was chosen, I’m sure nobody was thinking about ‘Emi lokan’ or anything,” Mr Akeredolu noted. “But it is just by coincidence. God has spoken through Agape that this is our time. I thank you, Agape.”

The governor disclosed this on Sunday at the Agape International Church 34th Annual Convention in Akure. The theme of the convention was ‘This is my time’.

He emphasised that the people had always lived together in harmony despite their religious differences in the past. 

“We have (a) very interesting coincidence here. Today, we have Her Excellency Omolewa, wife of (the) former governor of Kwara, here. I have known her to be a true Christian, (a) very true one, leading the altar in her home, in a home where the husband is also a true Muslim,” said the governor during the service.

Mr Tinubu and his running mate, Kassim Shettima, are Muslims, making many Nigerians, including APC chieftains, condemn the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“There are many people here that have both Muslims and Christians as family members, and there is no quarrel. Religion should not bring quarrels among us, and that is where we stand,” Mr Akeredolu told the congregants. 

The governor commended the church leadership for complying with the government’s directives on installing CCTV cameras in worship centres and other public places.

(NAN)