The Otun-Apesinola of Ibadanland, Chief Dotun Sanusi on Saturday mobilised Christians across Oyo State to pray for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, which had almost one thousand selected representatives of Christian groups was held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Akanran, Ibadan.
Recall that Muslim faithful across the state last week Saturday, 3rd of December converged at same venue to pray and endorse Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential poll.
Traditionalists will also gathered next week Saturday, 17th of December to throw their weight behind Tinubu and prayed for the success of his presidential ambition.
Present at today’s event were the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) in Ibadan, his vice-chairman, CAN chairmen in Lagelu, Ido, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North, Ibadan North West, Egbeda, Akinyele, Oluyole, Ibadan South East as well as the vice chairman in Ona Ara Local Government Areas.
Others were CAN youth leader in Ibadan, WOMICAN chairman in Ibadan, as well as its chairpersons in the 11 LGAs in the capital city. WOMICAN secretaries, treasurers, youth leaders PROs and other officers in Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Sanusi, who was represented by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade said electorates must look beyond religion so that Nigeria can move forward, saying 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 gains.
He said, “I am happy to have you here today. It pleases my soul. I want you know that everything I am telling you today is nothing but the truth. I love Nigeria 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 wives who are Christians 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.”
In their reactions, some clergymen at the event including the Chaplain of the Olubadan Palace, Pastor Adesoji Olusoji; Rev’d T.O Morakinyo, Prophet Elijah Oluwafemi, Prophet Victor Olaitan, Prof Rev R.O Banire, Prophetess Oyindamola Ojeniya, Pastor Akeukereke, Prophet Abimbola Oduola, Prophetess Mary Akinwumi, Prophetess Clara Babalola, Pastor Akinola Akinkunmi, Rev’d Ajasa S.P, Pastor Yinka Oseni as well as Most Superior Evangelist Omoboye, promised to mobilize their members for Tinubu.
