The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on Thursday endorsed the 2023 presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying that he truly deserved the office for his immense contributions to humanity.
Oba Ogunwusi spoke as he welcomed the former Lagos State governor who was in Ile-Ife in continuation of his nationwide consultations ahead of his formal declaration for the presidential election.
In his effusive acknowledgement of Tinubu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, the Ooni said: “You have done so much for humanity to be elected President. You have made so many people in different capacities. You have done so well as a distinguished Nigerian.
“God has blessed you and you have used every stratum of your opportunity to advance humanity and develop capacity for generations. We are very happy to receive you today.
“You are our pride. You are our star. You are our moon. You are a rare gem at the moment and we pray God to continue to strengthen you and imbue you with all that will work for you to succeed,” Ooni said.
Speaking at the Ooni’s palace, Asiwaju Tinubu commended the traditional rulers in attendance for their unflinching cooperation and support for national integration, unity and peaceful cohesion, just as he declared his ambition to contest for the President.
He said the visit was to intimate the monarch in particular and Nigerians in general of his ambition to run for the 2023 presidential election, an ambition he described ‘as timely and prompt’.
“I thank you all. I specifically thank the traditional rulers here present, I came here to seek for your prayers. I am here for your support and cooperation. You have known my intention already. You have known what I am aspiring for; all I need is your prayers.
“I have been supporting the people here and there. We have moved all over the country for one candidate or the other especially in 2013 where we campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari after his emergence, we equally supported him in 2019.
“As you all know, what the Constitution says is just two terms for a president after which another person succeeds him. That is what we are going round the country to let our people know that I am ready to succeed the incumbent President after the expiration of his second term.
“As you all know, what we are doing is to succeed him and I want to vie for President. I want to succeed Buhari and I can’t do it alone without your support. I want your continued support. It is our belief that once Ooni, Orangun, Awujale, Alake, Owa, among others speak, it becomes ours. With your support, it will come to pass.
“I am determined, I am prepared and I am ready for it. God that put our traditional rulers in their various thrones will not forsake us. He will put us there. I want to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I want your continued prayers,” Asiwaju added.