There are indications that supporters of the incoming President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are attempting to coalesce around key stakeholders in Yorubaland in order to lend their backing to him in advance of his inauguration on May 29.
In order to carry out their plan, one of their strategies was to interact with people who they perceived to be unrepentant critics of Tinubu across Yorubaland. In addition, they sought to interact with prominent traditional rulers so that they could speak with or reach out to those who were more local to them in the various states.
According to what was gathered, the move for the rapprochement was made to prevent a similar scenario from playing out against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was ridiculed by other regions “as President without a base.”
Remember that between 1999 and 2003, the then-ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which was led by Obasanjo, did not win any states in the Southwest, and that Obasanjo was severely criticized by many Yoruba leaders and politicians. This was one of the reasons that eventually culminated in “Operation Capture Southwest” in the 2003 general elections.
Tinubu unexpectedly lost his political base in Lagos to the Labour Party (LP) and Peter Obi in the last presidential election, just as he was defeated in Osun State by the PDP and Governor Ademola Adeleke. This occurred despite the fact that the incumbent ruling APC won four states in the Southwest region of the country.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere; Chief Olabode George, the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP; the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum; and a host of other individuals are not hiding their disdain for Tinubu or how he emerged as the President-elect.
Bode George
The first of these reconciliatory moves was brokered with Chief George over the weekend. One of the core loyalists of Tinubu, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, led two former deputy governors of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire and Abiodun Ogunleye, as well as Justice Ishola Olorunimbe (rtd), Layi Ogunbambi, and Satari Arileshere, a retired civil servant, to Chief George’
Olusi stated that the move had become necessary because of the relationship between the two leaders, which they characterized as being antagonistic.
The octogenarian described the mission as cordial and largely successful while expressing gratitude to God for the outcome. Speaking with newsmen at the end of the closed-door meeting, which lasted for hours, the octogenarian disclosed that it was the second move in the move to initiate peace between both leaders.
He said, “This is indeed my second meeting to see Bode George, and the purpose of this meeting is number one, to give praise to the Almighty.” In other words, this was his second time meeting with Bode George. Today, the President-elect of our country is Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and he happens to be a former Senator from Lagos as well as a former governor of Lagos. Although we are ecstatic about this development, we are aware of the fact that the President-elect and our Chief Bode George do not have a particularly amicable relationship.
“It is important that we as leaders of the community should take steps to improve the relationship,” Olusi said. “It is important that we should take steps to improve the relationship.”
Olusi also disclosed that based on the successful outcome of the parley, the delegation demanded that George congratulate Asiwaju Tinubu on his election as the President-elect, saying that the PDP chieftain could choose to do this before May 29, 2023, or afterward. This information was disclosed by Olusi.
However, in a telephone conversation that took place yesterday, George stated that as a Christian, he has forgiven Tinubu all that he (Tinubu) did to him, “but to congratulate him on his victory while my party, the PDP is still at the Election Petition Tribunal, challenging his victory is not possible.” George said this because it is impossible to challenge his victory while the PDP is still before the Election Petition Tribunal.
George posed the following question: “What if the tribunal later says that Tinubu didn’t win, which is not impossible, what do I look like?”
“I told them in no uncertain terms that I had nothing against Tinubu, but the fact that I do not have anything against Tinubu will not prevent me from telling the truth. Since the case is currently being heard in court, I have no clue what it is that they are seeking.
George laughed off the suggestion that Tinubu will corrupt him with money. He stated, “Even if Tinubu won at the court, I can’t go beyond wishing him well.” He was referring to the court case. I am not interested in receiving anything from him. There is nothing I want there again other than for Tinubu to perform and not the shenanigans he has perpetrated in Lagos since 1999.” “I was in the Aso Rock Villa as a military man and also had the opportunity of being in the Villa as a civilian under Obasanjo. There is nothing I want there again other than for Tinubu to perform.”
The former PDP deputy national chairman, who was accompanied by the former Deputy Governor Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor and General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, amongst others, stated that the meeting bothered on the unity of Lagos State, as well as her culture of accommodating all, which, according to him, makes the state the commercial nerve center of the country. Other attendees included others.
Olusi responded to a question about whether Tinubu was the one who proposed the idea of reconciliation by saying, “It was a peace meeting organized to reconcile two individuals.” You are interested in finding out if Mr. A or Mr. B was the one who suggested holding the meeting. At the request of anyone at all could it take place.
“However, the most important thing is to bring people together and work toward peace in the interest of ourselves, our people, and the nation as a whole.”
“The concept of mediating peace is wholly original with us. I feel confident in stating that the initiative was entirely mine to begin with. There was no involvement on the part of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu or Chief Olabode George in this endeavor. In addition to that, it was not at the behest of any political party.”
“Those who were involved in the peace deal are respected citizens of my state who are dedicated to the growth of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole,”
After being contacted, Chief Adebanjo stated that Tinubu has always visited him, even before the election, but nobody has gotten in touch with him since the election.
According to him, “I am aware of their meeting with Bode George, but if they want to come I will not stop them whatever they say will determine my response.” I am aware of the meeting that they are having with Bode George. My position is that Afenifere will always stand for the truth and nothing else, and there will be no reaction to anything until they arrive.
Senator Femi Okurounmu and Chief Supo Sonibare, who are respectively the leaders of Afenifere in the states of Ogun and Lagos, respectively, refused to make any comments.
Okurounmu is quoted as saying, “I do not have any comment to make regarding Tinubu. In point of fact, I am growing weary of my constant babbling.”
Ayo Adebanjo, Chief of the Afenifere Tribe
But in his comment, Bayo Aina, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba led by Prince Olusi, said that the meeting with George was just a part of the larger arrangement that was being made to bring all Yoruba stakeholders under one umbrella before Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29. Tinubu will be inaugurated on May 29.
He explained that Prince Olusi had only been responsible for leading the delegates to Chief George, but that the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), a body of traditional rulers, and other stakeholders were all involved in the bigger picture.
According to him, “Beyond Tinubu and Yoruba land, there is a need to put heads together over how to save this country, and in order to achieve this, we cannot continue to speak in different voices.”
However, according to the Spokesperson for Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, there is nothing that needs to be reconciled between the leadership of Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Tinubu. He said, “Our appeal to everyone is that we need to support the President-elect to build this country, as soon as he is sworn in on May 29.” The inauguration of the new president will take place on May 29. What lies ahead for the country is not simply a matter of personal score or differences between individuals. Additionally, it affects people outside of the Yoruba nation, including Yoruba living in the states of Kogi and Kwara as well as those living in the Diaspora. Over 200 million people in Nigeria have expressed a desire for improved leadership and conditions in their country.
In the meantime, Dr. Kunle Olajide, who served as the former Secretary General of YCE, has stated that he is actively involved in and supportive of any efforts toward reconciliation that will bring about change in the Nigerian state.
Olajide pleaded with everyone to put the past in the rearview mirror and be willing to work together with Tinubu for the betterment of Nigeria.
