President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, called on all leaders and stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State to put aside their differences and work together with a view to wresting power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in 2027.
He made the call at the maiden edition of the annual lecture series of the former governor of the state between 1999 and 2003, Lam Adesina, held in Ibadan, the state capital.
The lecture was themed, “Improving Nigeria’s Governance: Lessons From The Past, Strategies For The Future.”
Represented by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, the President said the state was too important to be missing among the progressive fold in the forthcoming election.
He recalled that the late Adesina was a champion of democracy who earned himself a place of pride in the nation’s history as a result of his exceptional bravery and rare commitment to the ideals of service to humanity and good governance.
“Adesina stood for high democratic ideals that underpin the democratic system of government, ideals that are essential for ensuring that power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
“Ideals of effective participation in governance with citizens making their views known on policy decisions. Consequently, to honour his memory, the progressives in the state must come together as one. You all must fight the fight and win the battle… Come 2027, the state must return to the progressive fold.” Tinubu stated.
The Senate Leader and guest lecturer, Opeyemi Bamidele, represented by Shuaib Salisu, stressed the need for Nigerians to rediscover the value system which would encourage citizens to be more responsible, morally upright and diligent as against the culture of indiscipline, avarice and corruption.
Dignitaries at the event were former governors of Ekiti State, Adeniyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi; former Senate Leader and Oyo APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin; Abdulfatai Buhari; former deputy governors, Iyiola Oladokun, Alake Adeyemo and Rauf Olaniyan, acting state APC chairman, Olayide Abas, Femi Lanlehin, Adesoji Akanbi, Monsurat Sunmonu, former APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke, Adeolu Akande, and a host of others.
The late Adesina, who died in 2012, was a member of the House of Representatives (1979-1983), the chairman of the state chapter of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, a celebrated newspaper columnist and an accomplished educationist who participated in the struggle which ended military rule in Nigeria in 1999.
