“Tinubu didn’t make himself president of Nigeria, we did,” Osoba said

Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has called on Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu, stressing that his rise to the presidency was not a solo effort but the result of a concerted effort by the Yoruba leadership.

Osoba made this statement at the South West Zone meeting of the All Progressives Congress held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

In a viral post on the platform on Sunday

During the meeting, Osoba underscored the strategic decision by South West leaders in 2007 to elevate Tinubu from state-level politics in Lagos to the national political arena.

“Bola did not make himself president of Nigeria; That’s what we did,” Osoba said.

“Seventeen years ago, in 2007, after his term as Governor of Lagos State, we met at a lunch organized by Alhaji Hamsa, our then South West leader. At that meeting, we collectively decided that Bola should move from politics in Lagos to the national stage to represent the interests of the Yoruba people at the highest level of Nigerian politics.”

The gathering also reflected on past political struggles faced by the Yoruba people, particularly their long-standing quest for leadership at the national level.

“Many of us here today worked tirelessly to support the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his quest for the presidency but he was not allowed to get there,” Osoba continued.

“Similarly, we threw our weight behind the presidential ambitions of the late MKO Abiola, but we lost him and with him the opportunity. They killed many of us because of our mission to make this country a better country. But we thank God that some of us are still alive to witness the success of Bola Tinubu.”

Osoba also called on members of the assembly as well as the broader Yoruba community to support Tinubu despite any perceived shortcomings in his leadership.

“Now that Bola Tinubu is here, I would like to ask you all to accept his shortcomings. He will do better. After his first four-year term, he will serve another four years as a Yoruba son.”

President Bola Tinubu, who was elected Nigeria's president in 2023, is often viewed as a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, particularly for his role in transforming Lagos into an economic powerhouse during his term as governor.

While his presidency, seen as a victory for progressive policies, has won widespread support in the southwest region, he has also been criticized in some quarters over economic challenges and policy decisions.

However, Osoba reiterated: “The message from the South West Assembly is clear – the Yoruba leadership stands united behind Tinubu’s presidency and remains confident that he can deliver on his promises during his term in office.”

“Bola did not make himself president of Nigeria; we did it. Seventeen years ago, in 2007, after his term as Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Hamsa, our then South West leader, organized a luncheon.

“At this meeting, we collectively decided that Bola should move from Lagos State politics to the national stage to represent Yoruba interests at the highest level of Nigerian politics. We thank God that Bola is today the first progressive President of this country.

“Many of us here today worked tirelessly to support the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his quest for the presidency but he was not allowed to get there. Likewise, we supported the presidential ambitions of the late MKO Abiola, but we lost him and with him the opportunity. Many of us were killed because of our mission to improve this country, but we thank God that some of us are still alive.

“Now that Bola Tinubu is in office, I would like to ask you all to accept his shortcomings. He will do better. After his first four-year term, he will serve another four years as a Yoruba son.”