The political and traditional leadership of Yoruba in the South West converged on Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday, for what could pass as a landmark assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with a verdict that he has so far done well and should be supported for another term.
The stakeholders lauded President Tinubu’s developmental strides, with the former interim national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, submitting that the country’s economy was being re-engineered through tax reform systems, harmonisations of revenue collections, expenditure rationalisations and the creation of a structure that rewards productivity rather than dependency.
This is even as the host governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State declared that the state has decided to support the re-election of Tinubu for impacting the state positively.
This decision was reached at South-West Stakeholders’ Dialogue, themed, “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future.”
Delivering his address, leader of the apex Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, represented by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, noted that the Yoruba cannot afford to remain divided.
He appealed to ministers from the South West to advocate equitable distribution of federal resources and ensure that the region benefits fairly from national projects.
“As an elder who has earned the right to speak the truth, party politics must never again divide or weaken Yoruba solidarity. I have watched with deep concern as the cancer of partisan politics has eaten deep into the fabrics of our unity.
“For the first time, we are creating a systematic platform where citizens can directly engage with the government, where evidence must be presented, where commitments must be made and where follow-through will be expected. This is democracy at its finest, a democracy of continuous engagement, mutual accountability and collaborative problem-solving. I ask that we sustain it in the interest of our region within the larger Nigerian context.
“I urge all citizens to shun bitter politics, rumour-mongering and deliberate misinformation. Instead, we must embrace constructive dialogue with the government through a platform like this. As I approach my centenary, I am acutely aware that my time on this earth grows short.
“But, I am not afraid because I see in this gathering the seeds of the unity and progress I have fought for all my life. I, therefore, use this opportunity to invite you to my centenary anniversary next year, where we will celebrate the growing list of the impressive dividends of democracy of the present federal administration, ably led by our own son, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. My final charge to all Yoruba sons and daughters is simple: Place our people’s interest above party interest. Place development above partisan politics. Place the welfarist mandate above political competition.”
Chief Bisi Akande while explaining the rationale behind the reforms being pursued by President Tinubu, said: “Yes, these reforms are demanding. They test our patience and stretch our resilience. But, I have seen firsthand the conviction of President Tinubu, a leader who believes that Nigeria must finally break free from cycles of dependency and dysfunction.
“He is not asking for blind loyalty, only for shared sacrifice and belief in our collective destiny. So, I call on the sons and daughters of Odùduwà: Let us stand behind this administration, not just because the President is one of us, but because he is one of the few with the courage to confront what must be changed.”
On his part, Governor Aiyedatiwa commended Tinubu’s administration for its economic reforms, which he said had stabilised the economy, improved allocations to states and restored fiscal discipline.
He listed several ongoing federal projects in the South West, including the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, with a 71-kilometre stretch in Ondo State, the proposed Ilaje Deep Sea Port, the NDDC/Ode-Erinje Transmission Line and Substation, the Akure–Ado-Ekiti Dual Carriageway and the Ore–Ondo–Akure and Benin–Ofosu–Ore highways.
Aiyedatiwa also mentioned the planned 1,000 Federal Housing Authority units, the take-off of the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital and the proposed aviation school in Ondo State as part of federal–state collaboration to drive development.
According to him, “These collaborations demonstrate the maturing of our democracy. The bond between the citizens and the government is being strengthened. Our people are beginning to feel a sense of ownership in governance.”
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