How ‘Emilokan’ Shattered Every Obstacle to My Election – Tinubu
POLITICS DIGEST- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he invoked the spirit of freedom and determination in Ogun State when he was faced by some hurdles before the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
He made this known on Thursday at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, when he visited the palaces of the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Tinubu said he remained hopeful and optimistic about achieving victory in the last presidential election despite the ineffective cashless policy implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Reflecting on the challenges in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu recounted his concerns about the confiscation of funds and the failure of the cashless policy, and how he had previously sought wisdom and guidance from Oba Adetona during his visit to the palace.
Read Also:
According to the President, he invoked the spirits of freedom and determination, symbolised by “Emi lokan” to overcome the obstacles in the election.
“Our monies were confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work, it was terrible then. I realised that, I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom which we are noted for.
I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s Baba. Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you. The second spirit is that money or no money (we will do the election and we will win),” he said
Recall that frustrated with the seeming lack of support from the President and reported opposition by key members of the Presidency, Tinubu on June 2, 2022, made his now famous “Emi lokan (It is my turn)” speech.
“It is the turn of Yoruba, it is my turn,” he said while addressing party delegates at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In the speech, he narrated how Buhari lost presidential elections repeatedly until he (Tinubu) helped him to win in 2015. He would later issue a statement declaring his respect for the President.