2023 presidency: Lagos monarchs back Tinubu to succeed Buhari

Lagos monarchs in the Badagry Division have approved leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Bola Tinubu to succeed Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president in 2023.

They assert that Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, remains the best candidate for the job.

The traditional rulers made the pronouncement at a town hall meeting organised by the South-West Agenda (SWAGA’23).

The monarchs are Oba Momodu Afolabi, Onijanikin of Ijanikin; Oba Nofiu Dada Elete of Ete Kingdom; Oba Abideen Adekanbi, Osolu of Osolu Kingdom; Oba Mobadenle Oyekan Onilado of Ilado; Oba Caleb Adeniyi, Olojo of Ojo; Oba N. A. Akinyemi, Alabirun of Ikare Kingdom.

Others are Oba Taofik Adegboyega, Alahun of Imore Apapa; Oba Gausu Rasak Ovaria of Ibeshe; Oba Kasumu Kosoko, Elekunpa of Ekunpa Kingdom; Oba Musiliu Adio Yussuf, Onisiwo of Tarkwa Bay; Oba Olayinka Lateef, Alado of Ado Kingdom.

The rest are Oba Adesina Asade; Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom; Oba Sherif Adesina Bello Onigbanko of Igbanko Kingdom, and Oba Josiah Ilemobade Aina, Oloto of Oto Kingdom.

SWAGA’23, the main body currently promoting Tinubu’s candidacy, had earlier visited the Oni of Ife, Oluwo of Iwo, Alafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan, Alake of Egba, among others.

Tinubu, who has been in the United Kingdom since July recuperating after a surgery, where he receives guests, has not come out to declare his interest in the 2023 presidency.

The movement is continuing further consultations, according to the Secretary of the Lagos chapter of the group, Kafilat Ogbara.

National Chairman of SWAGA’23, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, thanked the traditional leaders for the endorsement.

He said the Buhari administration would end in May 2023, adding that in the interest of fairness and equity, the presidency should be zoned to the South-West.

Adeyeye said, “It is widely known that Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s philanthropic gesture is second to none. He equally fought for Nigeria’s democracy and performed brilliantly as a governor.

“I want to categorically submit that Tinubu’s case has gone beyond Lagos as most political parties have endorsed him in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states.”