Bisi Akande, a former governor of Osun State, has disclosed that he was instrumental in persuading President Bola Tinubu to contest the presidency. In a recent interview published on YouTube, Akande shared that Tinubu was initially reluctant to run, citing financial limitations and personal uncertainties.
Tinubu allegedly expressed his concerns to Akande, saying, “Baba, do you have money? If I had the kind of money that people have to be president, I would rank with Dangote.” Akande revealed that Tinubu was quarreling with those who advised him to run, prompting Akande to intervene.
Akande employed an unconventional approach, drawing from Yoruba tradition. He told Tinubu, “We don’t want you to be president because of you. You are unimportant in this matter… Yoruba wants to be president, and you are the one we have now.” This argument seemingly left Tinubu momentarily speechless.
Tinubu later expressed concerns about his health, asking Akande, “Baba, you now say I should run. What about this, my leg?” Akande reassured him, saying, “Go and do it. There is still time. You will heal in six months.”
Akande also reflected on the challenges Tinubu faced during his presidential campaign, including the #EndSARS protests. Akande claimed that these protests were orchestrated to end Tinubu’s political career, alleging that “The Obidients” were behind the movement, which he believed was “manufactured from America.”
