Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, paid a visit to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi III and Olubadan designate, Dr Lekan Balogun.
The visit, which is a continuation of his consultation tour, is part of efforts to galvanise support for his presidential ambition in 2023.
The National Leader of All Progressives Congress has been meeting and consulting with relevant stakeholders as the 2023 General elections draw near.
The former Lagos State Governor visited Alaafin’s palace first, where thousands of his admirers, supporters, loyalists and political associates had kept vigil to receive him in style.
Tinubu, who was surrounded by his supporters in their thousands after alighting from his aircraft, was massively welcomed with drums, singing, dancing and fanfare.
Speaking at the palace of Alaafin, the APC National Leader appreciated the First class monarch for his support over the years, pointing out that he (Alaafin) has been his royal special adviser, who tells him the truth on any issue all the time.
Tinubu said he would not make any move about his presidential ambition without coming to officially inform the monarch and seek his royal blessings and advise as always.
He comically appealed to those he described as youths to be calm in the pursuit of their ambition for the presidential ticket, saying they should allow him serve his own term first.
“I greet you all my leaders. You youths must take things easy. You said you want to be president, you didn’t allow the elders to have a way to pass, without being president yet. What will now happen when you become the president, will you chase us away from town?
“I pray for all our youths, you all will also grow old and you will be presidents but you will allow me to do my own first.
“Why I came here today; Kabiyesi, you are my special adviser, many times when you call me inside to talk to me, you tell me the truth, and I cannot make a move in my bid to become the president of Nigeria without coming to pay homage and receive royal blessings from you.
“All I came for today is to seek your blessings, your cooperation, your prayers for me to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
Reacting, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, said he is confident that the Yoruba ancestors would make Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of Nigeria come 2023.
The monarch prayed that Tinubu will emerge victorious in his bid to rule the country.
The monarch and the APC stalwart later proceeded into the private chamber of the palace for a closed door meeting which lasted for about 30 minutes.
Shortly after the meeting, Tinubu flew to Ibadan to pay homage to the Olubadan-designate, Lekan Balogun.
In his remarks, Balogun lamented the unsavoury state of the nation’s unity, just as he called for a leader that would pull back the country from the brink, come 2023.
Balogun, who spoke through his brother and Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Dr. Kola Balogun, at his Alarere residence, noted that the country is badly divided.
“Kabiyesi has known you for a long time as a progressive politician as well as your antecedents as the governor that laid the foundation of the present Lagos.
“Yorubas are the leading light of Nigeria, our people contributed a lot to make Nigeria what it is and without the Yorubas, Nigeria cannot be where it is today. But, it is very sad to note the ‘to your tent oh Isreal’ has recently become the song of the people.
“Nigeria is badly divided today and we are looking forward to a Yoruba president that will unite the country, come 2023. We need a leader that has a national focus and acceptability, the road may be rough, but, by God’s grace, you will triumph,” Balogun said.
Tinubu, who was accompanied by the top members of his campaign group, said he was ready to fight in his quest to become the President, adding that he visited the Olubadan-designate and by extension Ibadan people to solicit for their support.
The former Lagos State Governor said he was honoured to be in Ibadan, noting that the visit was to appeal to the monarch and Ibadan people to pray for him in his quest to become the country’s president.
He described this period as an historical moment and a reminder of history, recalling that each time a Yoruba wants to be President, issues are raised, questions are asked and all sorts of gang-up are encountered.
“I came here to request for your prayer for me and the Yoruba race. We are at a crossroad, people are volunteering to confront me when they were asked that who would confront the lion of Bourdilon,” Tinubu stated.
Expressing his readiness and determination, the APC presidential hopeful said: “I’m out to become President of Nigeria. No intimidation, no blackmail can stop me. I have read about a Greek philosopher that if you want to fight a pig, you must be ready to be smeared and I’m ready to be dirty.”
Tinubu congratulated the new Olubadan for the grace to ascend the throne, which he said would give the ancient city a new outlook considering the robust background of Balogun as an educationist, politician of progressive leaning and a humanist. He prayed for a long life and sound health for the Olubadan-designate.
The leader of the campaign group, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, in his opening remark traced the historical link between Ibadan and Lagos, saying that if a Lagosian is seeking the support of Ibadan people as they had come to do, it was not out of place.
“We both own Ibadan, we have been working together before. We bring Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to you and Ibadan. It would be a great thing for Ibadan and the Yoruba race if we can produce the country’s president in 2023,” he added.
In attendance to support Balogun and Olori Olufunmilayo to receive Tinubu and his entourage were Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade; former Minister of Industries, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande and former first lady of Oyo State, Chief Mutiat Ladoja, among others.
Tinubu, who is one of the Presidential aspirants of the party in the 2023 general elections, had in January visited President Muhammadu Buhari to register his readiness to contest in the 2023 elections.