Among those who accompanied Tinubu to see Fasoranti were the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji; and Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde among others.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, got the blessing of the emeritus leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
Tinubu visited Fasoranti at the latter’s residence in Akure, Ondo State capital.
However, some members of the group, including the group’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and the Secretary-General of the association, Chief Sola Ebiseni, were not at the meeting.
Afenifere under Adebanjo had earlier endorsed Peter Obi for the 2023 Presidency.
Tinubu said he was in the Afenifere’s leader’s house to present his manifesto to the nonagenarian Yoruba leader.
Tinubu said he had earlier visited Fasoranti before the presidential primary and the Afenifere prayed for him to win the election.
Tinubu said, “Baba has prayed for me and I said once I got it I will come back. I thank God Almighty that the dream of that time has come to reality. The battle was much. There are many of them that wanted Buhari to anoint another person but he (Buhari) said no. Some of the northern governors came together and resolved that it (power) has to go to South.
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“One thing that is certain, no Yoruba men and women opposed this ticket. They support this ticket. I want to tell you that I will bring the trophy home. It is not just a Yoruba thing. It is a Nigeria project.
“The North proved to me that Nigeria can survive its unity. Some people want President Muhammadu Buhari to announce someone but the President said No. He insisted the process must go on democratically. The president said anyone that would mess up the APC process would see the other side of his eyes. He remained upright and saw to the process to the end.
“Northern APC Governors resolved that the Presidency must go to the South and especially South-West. Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end.”
In his response, Pa Fasoranti, who briefly prayed for the APC candidate, simply declared, “Tinubu will win the election”.
Among those who accompanied Tinubu to see Fasoranti were the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.
