Former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, has charged the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to work towards fixing the nation’s economy.

Falae, a former Minister of Finance, told Tinubu that “we will be here when you bring the trophy home by the grace of God.”

He said he and other Yoruba leaders will be alive to witness the inauguration of Tinubu as president.

Tinubu had earlier told the Yoruba leaders that: “You will be alive to attend my inauguration as the President of Nigeria in 2023 by the grace of God.”

Speaking at a parley Tinubu had with Afenifere leaders in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday, Falae decried the falling value of the Naira.

He added that he used all his life to serve Nigeria and at his old age he does not want all he used his life for to be wasted.

“When you become President please work to fix this country. We are here to offer advice. I am old and no longer looking for job. We need to fix security, fix our economy. Our naira is almost becoming useless and will soon become N1,000 to a dollar. We must change that. I know your ability. We will always be here to support and I wish you well. We will be here when you bring the trophy home by the grace of God.”

The meeting was held in Akure, Ondo State, at the residence of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who received Tinubu and his delegation on behalf of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, said Ondo State people are Afenifere and will support Tinubu to win.

“Asiwaju has the reach, the competence to lead Nigeria,” the Deputy Governor said.

In his remark, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured the Yoruba leaders that all the governors of South-West and Ekiti people are solidly behind Tinubu.

“We are happy to receive our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, today. I want to assure him and our fathers that we will support him to the end,” Oyebanji said.

While welcoming Tinubu and his entourage, General Secretary of Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, charged Tinubu to be a leader that will unite Nigeria and work for the progress and development of the country.

“You are not just a Yoruba man but a Nigerian. When you become President take Nigeria into consideration in all you do but never forget home. Our demands are what you know already. Restructuring, security and fixing the economy. Our country is no longer safe. We want state police so that the country will be safe.”

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Leaders of Afenifere from the six South-West States including Kwara and Kogi were present at the Akure residence of the Afenifere leader to offer support to Asiwaju Tinubu.

The roll-call of the Afenifere leaders in Akure who came to receive Asiwaju Tinubu and offer their full support included Retired Methodist Bishop, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Arogbofa, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Prof. Isaac  Adewole, Chief Olu Falae, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, General Alani Akinrinade, General Olu Bajowa, Mr. Sola Iji, Dr. Kunle Olajide, General Secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Bisi Akande, Dare Babarinsa, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Deputy governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.

Others were Chief Segun Adesegun, representing former Governor Segun Osoba, Senator Tony Adefuye, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, State leaders of Afenifere and many others.

At the parley, Tinubu said President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors of APC from the North and other Northern leaders have proved to him that Nigeria can survive its unity and other challenges.

Recalling his earlier visit to Pa Fasoranti on March 4th this year while he was on nationwide consultation before the APC primaries, Tinubu said he promised the Afenifere leader that he would come back after winning the APC ticket.

Tinubu said he had come to fulfil his promise and asked Yoruba leaders to thank President Buhari and Northern Governors for their steadfastness and for being promise-keepers.

The Star