The presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday described Governor ‘Seyi Makinde as a good, a persevering individual, and hardworking leader who has performed admirably in the state.

The former governor of Lagos State who stated this during his courtesy visit to the governor at the executive chamber, governor’s office, secretariat Ibadan spoke before he campaigned in Ibadan today.

The APC presidential candidate, while expressing his mission to the state, equally commended Makinde for being a lucky individual to be part of the history of the state as the incumbent governor, while calling for national politics devoid of ethnic sentiments.

He maintained that his aspiration is to become the next president of a united and secured Nigeria while assuring that the APC rally in the state would be peaceful and orderly, devoid of any crisis.

According to him, “I am aspiring to become the president of a united, one country, Nigeria, and for that sake, political divide and separation must be clearly out of our way.

“That is why the first port of call should be the first chief executive and the security officer of the state, constitutionally. So, I am here to give you insight into why we are all in Oyo State today.

“I really want to thank you for your good reception because it is not easy to take an opposition entourage into the canopy of your own shade, but you did.

“Equally, you have demonstrated the characteristics of good leader, a persevering individual, hardworking regardless of our political divide, and respectful in every aspect of your behaviour.

“So, today, I decided to pay you that respect and thank you for the good job you are doing in Oyo State. In his remarks, the governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, said the people of Oyo State will vote for equity, fairness, justice, and unity of Nigeria in this presidential election.

His words: “In Oyo State, we do not play politics with governance. The government always put our people first as opposed to party affiliation”.

The governor maintained that the G-5 governors and integrity group are saying that, if we have to choose between the unity of this country and our political aspirations, we will choose the unity of this country.

The governor stated that if Nigeria is to progress, citizens must evolve a system that includes inclusivity, fairness, justice, and equity in how the country is run.

“Let me use this opportunity to welcome you to Oyo State for your campaign. We have done everything to ensure that the exercise is peaceful and also enable you to pass your message to the people of the state.

“We don’t play politics with governance here. I have my brother here, the former governor of Osun State, who is with us. We still work together even as he is out of office, irrespective of the party affiliations, to solve a particular problem, which has lingered between Oyo and Osun States. It is a demonstration of putting our people first as opposed to the party affiliation.

“Like you rightly pointed out, Sir, if you look at the wall (pointing at the wall), you will see the colonial masters all the way to the immediate past Governor Ajimobi, who have ruled this state. Here, we do have a sense of history, and some of them ruled under different political parties.

“In 2007, three people ran for political offices – I ran to be the Senator for Oyo South Senatorial District under ANPP, Ajimobi ran to be the governor under ANPP, and President Buhari ran to become the president under the same party, but we all lose. But four years later, Governor Ajimobi became the governor under ACN.

“Four years later, President Buhari became the president under APC. Four years later, I became the governor of Oyo State under PDP. So, players will come and go but our country will remain.

“We, the G-5 and Integrity group are saying that, look, if we have to choose between the unity of this country and our political aspirations, we will choose the unity of this country.

“So, I alluded to the sacrifices made by our APC colleagues, the governors from the Northern part of this country because we also monitored your emergence, and they sacrificed certain things for the unity of this country.

“If we have to move forward as a people, we have to evolve a system such that there is inclusivity, fairness, justice and equity in how we run this country. If the country does not survive, the political parties will fade away. So, will say that I wish you well. It is only few days to go, about nine days.

“One thing I want you to take away from this visit today is the fact that we will vote for equity, for fairness, for justice and for unity of Nigeria in this presidential election”, Makinde stated.

In the meanwhile, the members of the APC entourage include Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister for Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare; Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governors Gboyega Oyetola, Kayode Fayemi, former national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, former Minister and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former House of representatives Speaker,
Rt. Hon Dimeji Bankole, Honourable Mutiu Aare and other top leaders of the APC.

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