Igbo leaders in Ondo back Tinubu’s re-election, hail reforms

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By Dayo Johnson

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Igbo community leaders in Ondo State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term in office.

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Representatives of the community from the state’s 18 local government areas gave the endorsement on Saturday at an event organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) in Akure.

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The programme was sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

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The community said its decision was based on what it described as the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture, security and economic reforms.

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The APC leader of the Igbo community in the state, Hon. Arinze Okafor, said the endorsement was an expression of confidence in the President’s leadership.

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Okafor said, “We are here because we have seen the direction of the country under this administration.

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“We have seen reforms being introduced across different sectors and we believe the reforms deserve time, support and continuity.”

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He acknowledged that reforms of such magnitude could come with challenges, but argued that policies and projects initiated under the Renewed Hope Agenda should be allowed to mature.

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“The Igbo community in Ondo State has therefore decided to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term because we believe that the Renewed Hope Agenda deserves continuity,” he said.

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The GMT Igbo Coordinator, Comrade Obioma Michael, said he campaigned for Tinubu in 2023 and described him as a leader with “a good plan for Nigeria.”

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“We so much love President Tinubu. I came out in 2023 to campaign for him. If Atiku and Obi combine together, they can’t defeat President Tinubu,” he said.

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Chief (Mrs) Chiaka Ogechi Amure, Iyaloja Igbo, said the turnout at the event demonstrated the community’s commitment to the President.

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Also speaking, High Chief Abazie Emmanuel listed local government autonomy, reforms in the electricity sector, increased allocations to states and local governments, improved security and the student loan scheme among the reasons for the community’s support.

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“What is important in this country is not where you come from. What we want is somebody that can bring peace, secure our people and bring development.

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“We the Igbo believe in merit. Ethnicity doesn’t matter to us,” he said.

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The Director-General of GMT in Ondo State, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the endorsement showed that the Igbo community had recognised what he described as the administration’s achievements across the Southwest and Southeast.

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He also commended Tunji-Ojo for sponsoring the programme and supporting other GMT initiatives.

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Dignitaries at the event included GMT officials, coordinators from other ethnic groups and the lawmaker representing Odigbo Constituency 1, Hon. Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji.

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