2023: You’re wonderful, you’ll be President, Olubadan tells Osinbajo

Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, with Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun Ali-Iwo, at his palace, during his visit to Ibadan, on Friday, April 22, 2022. Photos: State House/Tolani Alli

• As APC stakeholders endorse VP

Seyi Gesinde

It was like a carnival of sorts as Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, arrived to the warm embrace of the Ibadan people, in the early hours of Friday, April 22, 2022, as he visited to have an interactive session with political stakeholders in Oyo State, and leaders of his party, APC.

With pomp and pageantry, as his presidential jet landed at the Ibadan airport in Alakia area, his admirers across different tribes in the country, who had waited, hailed his arrival, as they sang, and danced to different drum beats.

From there, a mammoth crowd of people lined the roads as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his entourage drove in a motorcade to the Alarere Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun Ali-Iwo, where he paid homage and received the royal blessings.

At his palace after a royal welcome given to Nigeria’s Second-in-Command, the Olubadan speaking, lauded Vice President Osinbajo for his great gallantry in service to the country and people of Nigeria, while he prayed for the realisation of his ambition to be President in 2023.

Oba Balogun, who is the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, prayed to God to grant Osinbajo access to his desire to be Nigeria’s president, saying, “Very soon, hopefully, in God’s name, you will be president of Nigeria.

Lauding the character of the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Presidency Olubadan said, “Vice President Osinbajo, you are a wonderful human being, you are a wonderful person,” as he played, “may Allah grant you access to what you want out of Nigeria. May Allah support you.”

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Also, backing the Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun, in his endorsement of Osinbajo for President, the Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, said the Ibadan people are behind him, “we are all behind you,” he said.

As he left the Olubadan’s palace at exactly 11:30 a.m., Vice President Osinbajo headed for the Ibadan Civic Centre, where he is met with the political stakeholders in the state, APC leaders, interest and support groups, among others who filled the big hall to the brim.

Dignitaries at the programme include Senator Teslim Folarin, Chief Niyi Akintola, a presidential adviser, Babafemi Ojudu, among others.

Recalled Vice President Osinbajo, had, on Monday morning of April 11, 2022, made his intention known to Nigerians to contest for the 2023 Presidency ending months of waiting and speculations from the teeming mass of Nigerians.