Samuel Adelaja
The Oluwo of Iwo, His Royal Majesty, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, has compared the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Late Obafemi Awolowo, the first indigenous premier of Western Nigeria and a Nationalist and statesman whose immense contributions to the nation’s development cannot be over-emphasized.
In a statement titled “Tinubu, A Living Legend”, signed by the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement to Osun State governor, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, who was on a courtesy visit to the Oba’s palace in Iwo, the monarch said Tinubu’s leadership has facilitated the growth of the socio-political space of the South-Western people in Nigeria.
The statement maintained further that the comparison between the APC National leader and the late Awolowo, a statesman and Nationalist of the Yoruba people who died in 1987 at the age of 78 is drawn on Asiwaju’s charismatic personality and progressive leadership which he believes have immensely contributed to the plenary development of the Yoruba nation.
“Because of his sterling qualities which he has exhibited over time, he should be likened to our late foremost leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose charismatic personality and progressive leadership have immensely contributed to the plenary development of the Yoruba nation.” The statement reads.
Oba AbdulRasheed further stated that Tinubu’s leadership style has propelled a huge structure which has placed a number of Yoruba descent at the helms of affairs across Nigeria.
He called on all sons and daughters of the South-Western part of Nigeria to give Tinubu their backing and support to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a man he described as “an image of Yoruba nation” and “a symbolic living legend”
“It’s time Yoruba rallied their support round Tinubu and not crucify him like Awolowo who was made to suffer despite his sacrifices and the developmental monuments such as the establishment of the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, the cocoa house, Western Nigerian Television, the first television service in Africa and free education policy among others which were recorded under his leadership. He said.