By Sola POPOOLA
Scores of supporters of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) stormed Ilorin,the Kwara State capital, as the NorthCentral Coordinator of Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) ,Mallam Abdulazeez Yinka-Oniyangi hosted them to a lunch .
The programme, which original meant to be a Thanksgiving/ Eid Fest turned into a carnival as hundreds of Oniyangi/ Tinubu supporters and admirers thronged the No 1,Yusuf Adiaro Street ,GRA venue of the event on Sunday .
The event was graced by the TSO Director General ,Hon Aminu Suleiman and state coordinators of TSO in the NorthCentral geopolitical zone .
The TSO team had visited the tomb of Oniyangi’s late father.,Dr A. S Oniyangi, one of the first generation of medical doctors in northern Nigeria. .They also paid a visit to the mother of Yinka-Oniyangi, Alhaja Maimunat Oniyangi.,the sister of late Major General AbdulBaqi Tunde Idiagbon .( former Vice Military President )The octogenarian matriarch of Oniyangi also prayed for Tinubu’s success in the 2023 General Elections.
Oniyangi had led the TSO national officers on a courtesy call on the deputy governor of Kwara State ,Kayode Alabi where he (Alabi) renewed his commitment to Tinubu’s Presidency.
The deputy governor described Tinubu as credible and sellable candidate who had contributed in small measure to the growth and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
Alabi therefore expressed optimism that APC would retain presidency come 2023.
In his opening remarks, Oniyangi, the President / CEO said the event was to appreciate God for the emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu at the APC Presidential primaries and to also thank his supporters across the State for their commitment to BAT’s presidency.
Oniyangi used the ocassion to drum support for the re-election of governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq.
He argued that whatever support Kwara State gives to Tinubu comes to naught if the governor is not re-elected.
” I want to start by appreciating my supporters across party lines .A lot of you have been inundating me with calls that I should give direction ahead of the 2023 Governorship election in Kwara. I am telling everybody in public today that I, Abdulazeez Yinka-Oniyangi will vote for governor Abdulrahman come 2023.I am not unaware that some of you may have had issues with the governor.
I want to beg of you to please overlook whatever shortcomings of the governor for the sake of me and Asiwaju Tinubu. This is right and best option for us at this material time except we want to be Spectators during Tinubu’s Presidency.
In his goodwill message, Hon Suleiman urged Nigerians to deemphasize religion sentiments and embrace competence and capability
The TSO DG said Asiwaju is a completely detribalised politician who respects all religion faiths.
” Asiwaju Tinubu is a political juggernaut and master strategist .It is on record that he is also great developer and promoter of talent and excellence.So people should stop mixing politics with religion. This is a man who married a Christian as wife and he never force her to embrace Islam” Suleiman said.
No fewer than 25 leaders of other pro- Tinubu groups graced the occasion.Amongst the groups were :National Alliance for Tinubu , Concern Youths for Tinubu,and Kwara Youths for Asiwaju
One of the pre- conditions for entrance at the event was the presentation of the guests’ Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs).