It is no longer news but rather, an open secret that the momentum has began to gather for top political figures with regards to the 2023 elections. Indeed the heat is on as the race for the presidential seat is gradually shaping up as many prominent politicians are systematically making their intentions and ambitious moves known to party members and the general public.
In a bid to show their loyalty and support, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has tactically backed Bola Tinubu for the 2023 presidency.
This move was made evident in a statement made by the Director, Ishaq Akintola, on Monday 25 January 2021, whereby he disclosed on behalf of MURIC that the South-West has a big opportunity of gaining political power in 2023.
“Fortunately the Yoruba do not have to search too far as a former governor of Lagos State and leader of the ruling party has shown interest. Here is a candidate that brandishes impeccable pedigree”, he wrote in a veiled reference to Tinubu.
“Nobody can deny his political dexterity. He is known to have fought and won several political battles. The best the Yoruba people can do for the region is to rally behind this candidate and ensure that he clinches power in 2023,” MIURIC added.
Moreso MURIC did not hesitate to praise the efforts of major stakeholders for their role in trying to resolve the recent fiasco ongoing between the Hausas/Fulani community of Igangan, in Ibarapa, Oyo State and the Yorubas.
By way of essuing that peace prevailed, the group encouraged that the same procedure of peaceful resolution and dialogue should be extended and applied in Ondo State.
Speaking on the importance of peaceful coexistence, Akintola called on the Yorubas to forget about any form of anger or violent approach in addressing the already precarious situation on ground. He further advised that what is more relevant should be their presidential ambition.
By way of advise, MURIC insisted that anyone or group who is interested in assuming position of leadership especially that of the presidency, but fails to get its acts together early enough, should in like manner forget about the presidential seat in Aso Rock, in the next general elections noting that a tribe or people seeking to rule must be seen to be accommodating, tolerant and resilient.
“Power shift to the South has become mandatory as President Muhammadu Buhari would have spent eight complete years by 2023 and all eyes are presently on the South-West.
“Therefore the region cannot afford to lose the opportunity due to restlessness, recklessness, unnecessary protests, issuance of quit notices to other ethnicities and a general lack of stability”, it added.
Moreso, pictures and post are already circulating all over social media with regard to the ex Lagos State governor, Tinubu’s presidential ambitions for 2023.
However, it has been reported accoording to news sources that South West Speakers gathered at Ibadan, in a bid to rally support for Tinubu.
Despite these obvious support for Tinubu’s presidential aspirations some other Ex-Speakers has claimed that
they didn’t endorse Tinubu, and that Fayemi too can contest for the seat of the president in 2023.
In all of these, one thing is certain and it is simply the fact that once a house is divided against itself it cannot stand therefore, MURIC has advised that the yorubas should be smart and stop all these in house fighting amongst themselves and focus on the bigger picture.
OPC has echoed the same sentiments as they advised the yourubas generally that “It is wrong to be fighting your own kinsmen.”
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
