Despite the assassination
of one of his most trusted aides (Toyin Amzat ) few kilometers from where his ceremony
took place.The leader of the Action Congrerss of Nigeria,Bola Ahmed Tinubu went
ahead with his elaborate Chieftaincy title yesterday in Abeokuta.
Prominent
Nigerians and other diginitaries also thronged the Alake Palace in Abeokuta, to
witness the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Are Ago of Egbaland on the
former governor of Lagos State and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria,
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
Hundreds of the ACN supporters took
over every available space in the palace grounds and the adjourning streets.
Presidential Candidate for the Congress for Progress
Change, Maj.-Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (retd.); the ACN Presidential candidate in
the 2011 general elections, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu; Governors of Ogun, Lagos, Osun,
Ekiti and Oyo states attended the occasion.
Elder statesman and former governor
of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; the National Chairman of the ACN, Chief
Bisi Akande; former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; and other party
chiefs were also at the ceremony.
While conferring the chieftaincy
title on Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Alake said, “He has
demonstrated high courage and commitment to justice. Tinubu has been an
irrepressible fighter for the protection of civil liberty in the country.”
Also, Osoba, who is the Akinrogun of
Egbaland, said the ACN leader was honoured with the title because of the
role he played in the enthronement of the Oba seven years ago.
Osoba said, “Many people did not know
why Are-Ago is being honoured today. When the throne became vacant, there were
intrigues to stop Oba Adedotun Gbadebo from being the Alake from the top, from
the government and everybody. What people did not know was that it was the
Are-Ago that I called upon.”
Osoba also used the occasion to pay
glowing tributes to the late Oluwo Ake, Chief Segun Taiwo, and Chief Alani
Bankole, the father of the former Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.
Tinubu, in his speech on the
occasion, pledged his support for all the laudable projects embarked upon by
Oba Gbadebo in Egbaland.
“The development of Egba nation and
the people from today has become my major concern. I will support Kabiyesi, the
Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and other royal fathers in Egbaland, so
help me God,” he said
Earlier, the Diocesan Bishop of Egba
West (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Samuel Ogundeji, in his sermon during the
thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, urged
the monarch and political office holders to be sensitive to the needs,
yearnings and aspirations of the people.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle
Amosun, said Tinubu and his wife deserved the chieftaincy titles that had
been conferred on them by the Alake.