Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has joined the Yoruba social-cultural organization, Afenifere, in endorsing the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023.
Makinde announced this today in Akure, Ondo State capital when Tinubu visited the state to meet with the Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
Represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said although they belong to different political parties, he is in support of the decision of the Afenifere and Yoruba races.
“Since he became Governor of Oyo State, he never played down the interest of Yoruba land. There was no time Baba called him that he didn’t respond. There was no event he is invited to, whether by Afenifere or any group in Yoruba land where Engineer Makinde doesn’t play a part.
“Now, we are different by a political party but we are one by the tribe. For this reason, what he asked me to assure you is that in Yoruba land, whatever you have agreed to do, he is in support,” said Lawal while delivering Governor Makinde’s message at the gathering of political and Yoruba stakeholders.
Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, emerged as the winner of the party’s presidential primary with over 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
While Amaechi polled 316 votes, Osinbajo scored 235 votes.
He contested against thirteen other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.