Indigenes of Ikeja community in Lagos State have kicked against utterances by Ondo State governorship aspirant, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, asking him to apologise to the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The indigenes, under the aegis of Orile Ikeja Indigenes Development Association, in a statement by its patron, the oba-elect of Ikejaland, Samsondeen Adeleye, and Coordinator Adeshina Balogun, said Tinubu is a democrat and not a dictator.
The statement read: “We are appalled, to say the least, in the manner and way our brother from Ondo State, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, has thrown caution into the winds, by descending on Nigeria’s political beacon of hope and illustrious son of of Ikeja, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Why we are not saying Abayomi is not entitled to his opinion, he came short of decency in the way he alleged that Tinubu was trying to impose a governorship candidate on Ondo State APC.
“In saying so, he went ahead to paint him as a dictator and someone who would always want his wishes to prevail upon others.”
“To these, we seek to teach Abayomi some lessons of history by telling him that Tinubu, who is from Ikeja, has never imposed anybody on us in the community, much less Lagos State. Yes, just as Tinubu said, he had had occasions to support one candidate or the other for elections, it was not always automatic that he would have his way. On such an unfavourable occasion, he would quickly adjust and support the winner in any primary election, even though the winner is not his preferred choice.
“Again, Abayomi should be told that some years ago, when Tinubu won the ticket to contest the Senate and had even printed posters, someone protested that that it shouldn’t be Tinubu always, that after all, he had just been governor for eight years. To the surprise of everyone, Tinubu backed out from the Senate contest and the ticket was given to Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
“So, we believe that Abayomi must have been misled to insult the integrity of a great democrat- Tinubu, and we suggest to him to openly apologise to our own Jagaban, and we are sure that he shall be forgiven.”
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Didn’t know Tinubu was actually from Lagos not to mention Ikeja, but that is rumour and story for another day. Also wasn’t aware that Ikeja had an oba. Makes no sense a Lagos already has an Oba. But that is left to those well vested in Yoruba culture and heirachy.
To be honest I just see the statement made by Mr Adeleye as an act of trying to get noticed by the Asiwaju. I don’t see need or reason for him coming out to make such or any defence when there are greater issues at hand. As he said Mr Abayomi is entitled to his opinion and has every right to voice it.
Now I feel all this talk of Tinubu imposing candidates is just the continuous whining and complaining of lazy politicians. Yes it is true he does but at the end of the day Tinubu is a man who looks at the big picture and doesn’t want the party to lose. Why not do your homework with the people, gain support and popularity and leave him with no choice than to pick you. Spend less or no time complaining and more time planning and executing.
I’ll say it again, if you complain the problem will remain.