President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, 29 June, 2023 descrubed his visit to Ogun State as home coming, even as he said that he invoked the spirit of freedom during his electioneering in the State.
It would be recalled that the President made some pronouncements during the campaign season, which resonated with some Nigerians.
The former Lagos State governor said the hardship that accompanied the Central Bank of Nigeria cash swap policy during the electioneering period forced him to invoke the spirit of freedom in the South West state.
“I invoked the spirit of freedom in Ogun,” the president said while speaking at the palace of Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu Ode.
“It is a homecoming and I owe so much to all of you and there is so much to thank you for. Because of the way you have taken me and the way you’ve responded to me, all I can say is thank you.
“To many of you, thank you for being there for me and being there for the country. You demonstrated so much loyalty, so much commitment and voted at a very crucial time.
“Your monies were confiscated. The cash swap didn’t work. It was terrible then. I realised that and I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom for which we are noted for.
“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba (referring to Awujale). The spirit of Baba – Emi l’okan (it’s my turn), that’s Baba. The spirit for being blunt and that is him.
“And the second spirit is that of money (Naira scarcity), ‘ama dibo ama wole’ (we will vote and we will win) even if there is no money. And that, ever since, has been the spirit that is driving me to serve,” he said.
Tinubu had on June 3 set the social media on fire when he vented his frustration during a presidential campaign in Abeokuta, saying it was through his efforts that the ex-President Muhammadu Buhari made it to Aso Rock after failing thrice.
It was during the event that he made his famous declaration, “emilokan” (It’s my turn).
“It is my time. I’m educated. I’m experienced. I have been serving people for a long time. Bring me the presidency, it is my turn,’’ Tinubu had insisted.
He also pointed at Abiodun whom he described as ‘Eleyi’ dismissively as one of the products of his political hard work.
“Look at this one (Eleyi) seated behind me, Dapo, he wouldn’t have become governor without my support,” Tinubu had stated.
Tinubu made the statement while addressing the APC delegates in Ogun State.
His outburst evoked mixed feelings from Nigerians, with many loyalists of the party including the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, saying the remarks were meant to slight the president and Ogun State governor.
Also, in reaction to the new naira scarcity and fuel shortage which provoked riots across the country, Tinubu accused unnamed powerful persons of masterminding the crisis to shoot down his aspirations. His ally, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, affirmed that some Presidency officials, including the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, were working against Tinubu.
In his speech, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun thanked President Tinubu for visiting the State.
He described the visit as an attestation to the position the state occupies as a state that has recorded many first in all human endeavours.
Governor Abiodun assured that the people of the State would continue to support the President to take the nation back to its lost glory.
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