Ooni Hosts APC Campaign Council as Yari Targets Two Million Tinubu Votes in Osun

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.

The delegation, led by the council’s Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, visited the monarch on Sunday to seek his royal blessings and support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

During the visit, Yari expressed confidence in the APC’s mobilisation efforts, declaring that the council was targeting two million votes for Tinubu in Osun State in 2027.

He said the delegation remained committed to securing a second term for the President, arguing that the country’s economic situation had improved compared with 2023.

“We know the economic situation Nigeria faced in 2023 and it is getting much better today. We believe Nigerians will give President Tinubu another opportunity, and we are committed to working towards that objective,” Yari said.

The former Zamfara State governor also commended Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for his involvement in the council’s activities. Adeleke, who serves as the council’s state coordinator, was represented at the palace by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.

Yari said the council would continue working with political stakeholders to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and pursue its electoral target in the state.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was also part of the delegation, expressed confidence in his state’s support for Tinubu, pledging that Ondo would deliver one million votes for the President in the forthcoming election.

Aiyedatiwa said governors had been tasked with taking responsibility for political mobilisation in their respective states.

“When we were inaugurated, we were charged with ensuring that every governor takes responsibility for his state. Ondo State is for Asiwaju, and we promise that one million votes will be delivered,” he said.

The Ooni, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, welcomed the delegation and commended Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for what he described as their contributions to the Yoruba people.

The monarch referred to the President as the father of the nation and stressed the importance of leadership that promotes national unity and development.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the father of the nation. He and the First Lady have done very well for the Oduduwa race, and I am happy to receive you all in my palace,” the Ooni said.

The visit forms part of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s engagements with political and traditional stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The statement announcing the visit was issued by Sodiq Lawal on behalf of Otunba Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace.