By Sanni Onogu, Abuja, Osagie Otabor, Akure

• Asiwaju hale, hearty, Nnamani insists

• Amosun backs Tinubu, opts for ADC governorship candidate in Ogun

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will restructure the country, if elected in next year’s general election.

The governor expressed optimism that the APC candidate would approve state police.

Akeredolu spoke while speaking on the topic, titled: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Business of Nation Building, during a Twitter space session.

The governor said the former Lagos State governor would bring a new vista into governance and ensure that true federalism thrives.

He said Asiwaju Tinubu understands the serious issues affecting the wellbeing of the country as well as having a deep knowledge of the problems.

“If voted into government, Nigerians will see that we have someone in place who has gone through democratic tutelage. He has been governor. He led a party.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has been part of the struggle to ensure that democracy was enthroned and that a true federal system runs in the country.

“Asiwaju Tinubu’s contributions in the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) struggle cannot be denied. As you know, when the 1993 presidential election was held, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was deemed to have won that election. But the military junta anullewd the election and set up an interim government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu and few others felt they weren’t going to take it. They formed the NADECO and fought the military. They stood on June 12. Then, the whole country conceded that the next President must be from the Southwest. That is why in 1999, only former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae ran for the election.

Read Also: PDP is party of termites, can’t return to power, says Tinubu

“You cannot deny Asiwaju his role. He ran away from the county and set up the Radio Kudirat. Those were the struggles we had before the forth republic came up.”

The Ondo State governor noted that Asiwaju Tinubu has mentored and assembled some of the best technocrats in the history of the country, many of whom are currently occupying exalted positions in government.

He said the former Lagos State governor has a better chance than any other presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

“When put together on a scale, Asiwaju Tinubu weighs higher. We look at intellect, experience and what we stand to gain from his presidency. Capacity and knowledge are different from religion and ethnicity. We have always voted for experience and capacity.

“We have said it clearly. The President must come to the South. It has come to us now to make a choice. In making the choice, we must think about capacity and competence. And the scale tilts towards Asiwaju Tinubu.”

Also, former Enugu State governor and senator representing Enugu East, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, yesterday affirmed that Asiwaju Tinubu is hale and hearty.

Nnamani, a foremost medical doctor and surgeon, said Asiwaju Tinubu has no health challenge, as erroneously being speculated in some quarters.

“I continue to strongly condemn those who wallow in ignorance in celebration of real and phantom infirmities. Rather, I lend my voice in celebration of his giant strides in governance, reforms and locality administration in all its spheres. I salute his political deftness and sagacity.

“As a medical professional with honour, I attest to his good health and capacity. Asiwaju Tinubu has a robust general system, acute awareness of his holistic environment, political, and in all ramifications.

“A bubbling and vivacious personality, his confidence is easily apparent, sharing and transferable. Engaging him clearly demonstrates good health, energy and readiness to rumble.”

Also, the senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, has formally reinforced his support for Asiwaju Tinubu.

But the former Ogun State governor said he would support the African Democratic Party (ADC) governorship candidate, Biyi Otegbeye.

“I don’t hide behind one finger to fight. Otegbeye is the person I am supporting and ADC is the party.

“For the presidential poll, I can assure you, both right, left and centre, we are supporting one person, Asiwaju Tinubu,” he said.