Family heads (Mogajis), Baales, and other notable groups, including Agbekoya in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, for the 2023 presidency.

They declared their supports for Tinubu on Saturday at an event held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan.

The event organised under the auspices of Rontex for BAT Political Signature was convened by Dr Ronke Carew and hosted by Chief Dotun Sanusi.

Sanusi, an Ibadan Mogaji, popularly called Ilaji, is the Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in the Oyo State capital.

Among other groups that endorsed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general election were the Agbekoya, O’dua Peoples Congress (OPC) Fasehun faction, Irorun O’dua, and non-indigenes represented by people from Akwa-Ibom State.

Sanusi described Tinubu as “the most competent” among the presidential candidates, saying he could vouch for him any day and anywhere.

“I have never taken contracts from any government. I have not taken anything from anybody, but I do accept destiny and the will of God.

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“But, it should be said everywhere that the person I have confidence in, who will end our sufferings in Ibadan and Oyo State is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are talking of presidential poll, not Governorship, not National Assembly and not House of Assembly elections. We stand on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Sanusi called on all groups to mobilise support for Tinubu, whom he said would bring prosperity to all and sundry.

The Mogaji said Tinubu protected the interests of Christians as Governor of Lagos State, adding that he was born a Muslim and today a Christian.

On his part, the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Prince Yemisi Adeaga,  said Ibadan would always have a position.

Adeaga stated that the Olubadan of Ibadanland had sent him to tell the people that “they are keenly watching the character, nature, disposition and relevance of the candidates”.

“For now, we are still watching and we know that by the grace of God, as it was being done before, Olubadan will give a directive through his council for Ibadan people.

“But then, we must state categorically that nobody goes against his own people, if that can be decoded,” he said.

In his remarks, the Convener, South-West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA), Oyetunde Ojo, said the body language of the Baales, Mogajis, Obas, and groups showed they were in support of Tinubu to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Ojo said: “10,000 Baales and Mogajis signed a compendium. The body language is all over and you can see their representatives.

“Once the Baales have agreed to that, once the Kabiyesis have agreed to that and once the Mogajis have agreed to that in Ibadanland, you know it’s a done deal.”

The event was attended by Otun-Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; OPC factional President, Wasiu Afolabi; among other dignitaries.

The Star