Former Lagos council chairmen back Tinubu’s presidential bid

• He’s best choice for S’ West, says group, warns Yoruba against past mistakes

Former council chairmen in Lagos State, yesterday, began mobilisation for the presidential aspiration of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The former helmsmen, under the aegis of ‘Grassroots Network for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (GNAT),’ described the aspirant as a great benefactor, who has built many leaders, including Governor Kayode Fayemi, Muiz Banire (SAN), Lai Mohammed, Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Fashola. 

GNAT comprises serving and former local council chairmen, councillors, supervisors, secretaries to local councils, special advisers, special assistants and other political appointees at local council level across the country.

GNAT leader, Abiodun Mafe, who spoke at the launch of the group in Lagos, said the foot soldiers couldn’t afford to be ungrateful to the former Lagos governor, who played a huge role in their rise to prominence. 

Former Bariga Council chairman, Omoyele Suleiman Irish, who launched the organisation said: “We will travel round the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to mobilise for Asiwaju to realise his dream of a greater Nigeria that works.”

A party chieftain from Kano State, Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai, said Tinubu is the answer to the myriad of problems confronting the country. 

Former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Rommy Okoli, described Tinubu as a gift to Nigeria, whose benevolence cuts across the six geo-political zones.

Mafe added: “We would be ingrates to forget so soon that Asiwaju courageously and innovatively kept the local councils running for years while the Federal Government seized the legitimate earnings of Lagos State.”

In a statement by its Secretary General, Oludayo Ogunjebe, the group expressed concern that a situation where many aspirants emerge from the South West portends danger for the political fortunes of the region.

It added: “We must endeavour to go into the forthcoming presidential election in one accord and with one voice. By nature, Yoruba are plural in nature and outlook.

This attribute, though good in some aspects, has cost us dearly, politically, in the past. I urge and pray that we do not make mistakes of the past in 2023.

“South West leaders and governors need to speak with one voice and not be divided for Jagaban to clinch the ticket within the APC.”