A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and one of the founders of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Senator Adesoji Akanbi, has congratulated Governor ‘Seyi Makinde over his re-election and also thanked him for working towards the return of the presidency from the North to the South.
Akanbi, in a letter he signed and addressed to Makinde, said the governor displayed true omoluabi virtues by backing southern presidency.
Makinde is one of the five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, popularly known as the G5, who insisted on the return of power to the South, after the two-term tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North.
The G5 governors had opposed the candidacy of PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, another northerner, and vowed to work for a southern candidate.
While the governors refused to openly declare their support for APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, they allegedly worked for the victory of the former Lagos State governor.
The APC won the presidential election in Oyo and cleared all the three senatorial seats as well as eight out of the 14 House of Representatives seats.
In a veiled reference to Makinde’s tactical support for Tinubu, Akanbi hailed the governor for his display of unusual bravery.
In his words: “Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your success at the Oyo State governorship election held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, and the renewal of your mandate to govern our beautiful state for another four years. I also celebrate with you on the successful completion of the 2023 electioneering process in Oyo State. I am particularly excited that the people of Oyo State under your leadership, have shown their commitment to growing our democracy and building a country where leaders are elected without violence.
“As one of the founders of the South West Agenda (SWAGA) and the initiator of Coalition Movement for Bola Ahmed Tinubu (COMBAT), the leading campaign mechanism for President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I must also commend your display of unusual bravery in standing by your conviction that the presidency of our dear country should return to the south. Indeed, your display of true Omoluabi virtues at the risk of your own re-election will be remembered on the good side of history.
“On this note, I say that the support you have enjoyed at the polls is fair and well-deserved. Now that the people have spoken and we have heard them loud and clear, we are again reminded of the needs of the people and our place as leaders. I implore you to please remain steadfast and committed to the fulfilment of your promises to further develop Oyo State and improve the lives of our people,” Akanbi said.
