In this interview with WALE AKINSELURE, National Vice Chairman of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) 2023, Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi speaks on why the group is advocating a Tinubu candidacy in the 2023 presidential election.
WHERE do things stand in terms of SWAGA’s mobilizing support for Senator Bola Tinubu contesting for presidency in 2023?
While following the mobilization train, we can see that a lot of people are mobilizing for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. SWAGA came on board to project Asiwaju within the South West. There was this rumour after last year’s #EndSARS that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not accepted, not popular at home, outcast so SWAGA came on board to prove that wrong. So far so good, we have had about 351 Obas endorse Asiwaju. The endorsement did not happen behind tabernacle; it happened in the open. So far, so good, have we heard of any strong group working for any other person, as of now?
While SWAGA pushes for Tinubu contesting for presidency, there are those who argue that your group is only pushing for Tinubu now but the real candidate will surface later.
Look at the composition of SWAGA, do we look that stupid? Why would we be hiding, if it is not for Tinubu? Why would we not be promoting that other person rather than Tinubu now? For SWAGA, it is Asiwaju or nobody. We are an independent, self-financing group. It is not about money but efforts. We cannot be playing hide and seek game; we are above that level. We believe so much in the leadership of Asiwaju. He is the pathfinder, problem solver, proactive and a unifying force.
What can you read of the posture of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the presidential ambition of Tinubu that you are pushing?
I cannot read the mind of the President.
There are those who argue that Asiwaju is not strong, healthy enough for the rigour of presidency?
He is back in the country and you can see him everywhere. I am in Abuja with him. Last week, he made visits to various people, including a couple of his friends. So, you can imagine his strength. If you follow him on his various social media handles, he averages visits to about four to five people, on a daily basis.
Bearing in mind the present state of the nation, what will Tinubu presidency give Nigeria?
First, with regards to present agitations, Tinubu has the capacity, ability and political will to make a change, to bring everybody round the table for a better situation. Agitation is about injustice, neglect. Some people believe that injustice, neglect has been meted out to them. And they come up to say that they have a right to lead this country and that this country belongs to all of us. He is the only one that can unify the country. Our love for Asiwaju to ask him to contest is not about personal favour or about him alone but because we believe that he can revive this country and that is why we are strongly promoting this ambition. Up till now, he has not made a statement whether he will contest or not. At my level, I believe I am close enough to him to know that he will yield the clarion call of people to unify this country.
Has he told you he wants to contest or you are simply pushing him to contest?
Don’t use the word, ‘push’. Sometimes, in some royal families, in a situation where one king dies and they want to pick a new king, it is hardly you see anyone agitating to be king. Mostly they don’t achieve their aim. Some people have to sit down and think who actually fits to occupy that seat. That is the position we are now. Usually those agitating don’t get the throne. Most times, people sit down and pick who practically fits that throne. That is the position we are in now. We believe he (Tinubu) fits the throne.
Coming down to your state, Tinubu, has, over the years, played a huge role in who becomes the governorship candidate of the APC in Oyo state. Will Tinubu also be a deciding factor in who gets the guber ticket of the APC for Oyo state for the 2023 election?
Asiwaju is a national leader and presently we are trying to turn him into a candidate. I am sure he will not be involved in such but all aspirants in Oyo state are members of his party or associate with him. I am sure he won’t favour anyone. All he will be concerned about is for APC to win. At the end of the day, if Oyo APC members pick one candidate, as a party leader, he will have to support the interest of the party.
You are pushing SWAGA but do you also have a guber ambition for 2023?
I won’t declare my ambition till about January or February next year. What is important to me is that I remain in the arena and I am trying to make myself a brand in Oyo state. This is because two things could eventually play out: your platform and individual too. I am working on making myself a household name, to be known for positive things. That is important than declaring any ambition whereas you are not acceptable to your people.
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