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The Otun-Apesinola of Ibadan land, Chief Dotun Sanusi, on Saturday, rallied Christians across the nooks and crannies of Oyo State to pray for the presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, which has about 1000 selected representatives of Christian groups across the state in attendance, held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Akanran, Ibadan.
Recall that Muslim faithful across the state had last Saturday, December 3, converged at the same venue to pray for and endorse Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
Traditionalist in the state will also gather at the same venue next Saturday, December 17, to throw their weight behind Tinubu and pray for the success of his presidential ambition.
In attendance were the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman, Ibadan, CAN chairmen from Lagelu, Ido, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North, Ibadan North West, Egbeda, Akinyele, Oluyole, Ibadan South East Local Government Areas as well as the CAN vice chairmen from Ibadan and Ona Ara Local Government Area.
Others were CAN Youth Leader, Ibadan, WOMICAN chairman, Ibadan, as well as its chairpersons in the 11 local governments within the metropolis, WOMICAN secretaries, treasurers, youth leaders PROs and other officers in Ibadan.
Speaking, Sanusi, who was represented by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, said electorates must look beyond religion so that Nigeria can move forward, adding that Tinubu is the solution to the current problem facing the country.
He noted that everything he has been doing for Tinubu was out of love for the country and not for material gain.
“I am happy to have you here today. It pleases my soul. I want you to know that everything I am telling you today is nothing but the truth. I love Nigeria more than anything and because of that, I believe we cannot fold our arms and allow things degenerate. I am not a member of any party. There is nothing I want to do with it. God has been merciful towards me and I am always grateful for that.
”There are lots of problems bedeviling our nation and I know we have to get ourselves involved in order to arrest those situations. I am sure you know that we can participate without joining politics. And I want to first commend you for honouring our invitation.
“We have the problem of insecurity, we have the problem of unemployment. We have leadership problem and many more. The Muhammadu Buhari is concluding his administration, we cannot say he hasn’t done anything; he has done his best. In the next couple of months, we will do another election. The need for us to choose wisely brought us here today. I have researched the credentials of the major candidates and without being immodest, I like to tell you Asiwaju stands tall.
“He needs no introduction. We have seen what he did in Lagos, even till now. He laid the foundation. All of us cite Lagos as example of good leadership. Almost 100 of those who he nurtured are in various leadership positions as we speak and we have seen what they have done. So, we need not waste time working with Asiwaju. I have the believe that he can do it.
“Forget the religious card, I know it is unfortunate. And you know I won’t lie to you; I am a Christian like you. But Asiwaju is not someone to be afraid of. The North believes so much in religion, we believe in religion and the concept of Omoluabi. Tinubu has a wife who is a Christian as well as children. In fact, some of his closest associates too are Christians. So we need not worry.
“Development goes beyond these religious and ethnic sentiments. Dubai that we all want to go is a Muslim environment. The United Kingdom and United States of America are full of Christians, Jews and non-believers. Have we, because of that stopped going there? Let’s forget that. Let’s support our own and we won’t regret it.
“I can vouch Asiwaju is coming with a workable plan. He is surrounded by eggheads. He is someone who will hit the ground running if he is elected. He knows about the economy, environment, sports, agriculture and some others. This is possible because he has solid, sound people around. Poverty doesn’t know religion. When you are hungry, what you want is food. That food, you don’t care where it comes from. It is also like unemployment.
“Anybody who gives you job, you don’t ask about his religion. I am a Christian, I don’t assist people based on that. I do it for God. The funny thing is that I have Muslims around me, in my family. Remember I was born a Muslim. My dad is a Muslim. The joy is that Asiwaju is our own,” he said.
In their separate reactions, some clergymen at the event including the Chaplain of the Olubadan’s Palace, Pastor Adesoji Olusoji; Rev’d T.O Morakinyo; Prophet Elijah Oluwafemi; Prophet Victor Olaitan; Rev R.O. Banire; Prophetess Oyindamola Ojeniya; Pastor Akeukereke; Prophet Abimbola Oduola; Prophetess Mary Akinwumi; Prophetess Clara Babalola; Pastor Akinola Akinkunmi; Rev Ajasa S.P.; Pastor Yinka Oseni and most Superior Evangelist Omoboye, promised to mobilise their members for Tinubu.
