In Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu recalled the challenges he had in pursuing his presidential ambitions before the 2015 elections.
The President gave a speech at Oba Sikiru Adetona’s palace in Ijebu-Ode during what he dubbed a “thank you visit” to the monarch.
While on a private tour to Ogun State, Tinubu also paid a visit to Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, at his palace in Abeokuta.
At precisely 10.18am, Tinubu, traveling in a presidential helicopter operated by the Nigerian Air Force (5N FG2), touched down at the Dipo Dina International Stadium in the state’s Ijebu-Ode region.
Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, and Dele Alake, the spokesperson, were all in his group.
Among those who welcomed him were former governors of the state, Senators Ibikunle Amosun and Segun Osoba, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
At the palace of Oba Adetona in Ijebu-Ode, Tinubu claimed that his journey to the presidency was not straightforward and that, in order to overcome obstacles, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policies and the redesign of the naira, he had to channel the spirit of “Baba Emilokan.”
Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, and Dele Alake, the spokesperson, were all in his group.
Among those who welcomed him were former governors of the state, Senators Ibikunle Amosun and Segun Osoba, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
At the palace of Oba Adetona in Ijebu-Ode, Tinubu claimed that his journey to the presidency was not straightforward and that, in order to overcome obstacles, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policies and the redesign of the naira, he had to channel the spirit of “Baba Emilokan.”
Tinubu said, “Our money was confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work, it was terrible then. I realized that I came to this palace to invoke the spirit of freedom which we are noted for.
“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s baba (Awujale). Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you. The second spirit is that money or no money (we will do the election and we will win).”
Awujale, in his remarks, urged Tinubu to be fair to all Nigerians in everything he does.
The monarch said, “You have started well; you must continue that way.
“My joy knows no bounds because I know that you will give us the Nigeria of our dreams.
“It is a must for you to bring positive changes to Nigeria and Nigerians.”
Tinubu implored Nigerians to accompany him through what he called the baby steps of pains in his speech delivered at the palace of the Alake of Egbaland.
He said, “At least, we delivered, despite the hardship of no money, no fuel; I credit you, thank you. I don’t know that it will be like this, I just wanted to sneak in and sneak out, to greet kabiyesi. Now, I know exactly what it is to be a President.
“Having achieved the prayer point of ‘Emi lokan’ and then being here, I have redeemed a pledge that I will be back with victory and the crown.
“Now, what I ask for is prayers that will help the country and we are determined to help our country, to steer the ship of the nation, build a good team, positive for this country and deliver on all the promises that I have made.
“The hope is recharged; it’s here. That hope will never fade. That hope will recharge your life in a positive manner.
“I’m here still making that pledge of the campaign promise that there is no difference between us and any members of the Nigerian family.
“I have seen that in France during this discussion and we are the children of the same parents, living in the same house, we are only sleeping in different rooms, just recognize that.
“Let us be united, no distraction, we will arrive at the destination, a positive destination for this country and it is all in our hands to make history and I promise that.
“We will see positive changes as we move along, just go through these babys’ steps of pain, baby steps of pain, I’m taking baby steps as the President, not marching in a hurry, being ready to listen, maintain an open-door policy, let the freedom flow, let the confidence return to Nigeria.
“This country is the only country that we have. I have been a refugee, I know what it is to be a refugee in another country and my green passport is what I still have now.
“We need your prayers, we need your support, we need your interventions to get our people’s change of mind, so that the economic prosperity of this country being opened up will affect all of us positively.”
