Governors, Ooni,traditional rulers,others to grace Tinubu’s South West homecoming

Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Governors, politicians, traditional rulers and other prominent leaders from the South West are set to host President Bola Tinubu to a homecoming next month.

The event, being organised  by the South West Presidential Inauguration Celebration (SW PR-IN-CE) is designed to celebrate the electoral victory of Tinubu.

Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Thursday, the chairman of SW PR-IN-CE, Professor Kayode Familoni, and the head of the media and publicity sub-committee, Femi Odere, disclosed that the event will hold on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the Ojaja Resort in Ile Ife, Osun State.

According to Familoni, Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Dapo Abiodun(Ogun) and other political leaders from across the country are expected to preside over the event

He added that Oni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja I, as the custodian of Yoruba customs and traditions will be the father of the day while the governors from the region will be chairmen and co-chairmen at the event.

The Professor of Economics, Public & International Affairs, also said that the celebration will be the first gathering of Yoruba sons and daughters within Nigeria and from diaspora to celebrate a president from their race.

He stated that the event is significant to the unity and progress of the country as exemplified by the president’s agenda, adding that the people of South West are determined to support the administration.

Familoni maintained that the president since his assumption of office one month ago has demonstrated genuine intention for the development of the country with his policies and programmes.

“We had a previous president who did not have a solid home in the past, but for the first time we are having a president that is genuinely loved and supported; hence the uniqueness of the inauguration deserves a special event. We are planning a honorary degree for the president in one of the universities and a book launch in his honour.

“Yoruba people, regardless of political affiliation are ready to support him. The leaders are committed to his success and you can see what he achieved in one month, what some people can’t do in eight years.

“This coming celebration of our president is perhaps the first time that Yoruba sons and daughters from the diaspora and within the country will have a structured and formal social gathering for a true Yoruba son as the president of this republic.

“The overreaching objective of this inauguration celebration of President Tinubu in his core political constituency, the South West, is to emphasise the fact that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strongly supported at home. This support can only get stronger in the course of his administration,” he added.

Also speaking, Odere said although the planned celebration of Tinubu can be said to have the stamp of approval of the All Progressives Congress (APC), invitations have been extended to governors of the states under the control of opposition parties.

“We are not unmindful of the critical role that Governor Seyi Makinde played, with his support for the president during the elections. We would be extremely happy if the Oyo State Governor can grace our inauguration celebration for Asiwaju in the South West,” he said.

He added that Ekiti State Governor has expressed his firm commitment and support for the celebration for Tinubu, following a courtesy visit to him during the Sallah holiday at his Ikogosi Ekiti country home.