Oke – Ogun leaders from Oyo State in South west Nigeria on Monday urged the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan to take a shot at the presidential race, saying that he would have their backing.
This is barely twenty four hours after the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, denied having interest in the 2023 Presidential race.
The leaders comprising of Traditional rulers and Politicians from the zone, paid a courtesy visit on him at the National Assembly, after attending the public hearing on a bill seeking for establishment of Federal University of Agriculture and Technology Oke – Ogun, Oyo State .
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Barrister Ahmed Raji ( SAN), told the Senate President that the traditional rulers and political leaders from the zone , would be happy if the planned Federal University, is established and Ahmad Lawan becoming the visitor of it in the nearest future.
“Mr Senate President, we have followed your trajectory over the years and happy to submit that while in the House of Representatives, you made your impacts felt and in the Senate, you have made your marks.
“The people of Oke – Ogun want you to use such a trajectory in getting the planned Federal University of Agriculture and Technology passed into law and implemented .
“They will be happy to see you as visitor to the University in the nearest future while our son, Senator Abdulfatah Buhari serves as the host (Governor) “, he said
He decried the non existence of a Federal Institutions out of 30 of them in Oyo State, in Oke – Ogun despite having 60% of the landmass of the State and 10 out of the 33 local government councils.
“Mr President , leaders of the Oke – Ogun zone, would be most appreciative if after the passage of the bill, you grant us the honour of personally delivering it to President Muhamnadu Buhari for assent” , he said .
But the Senate President in his response, said agenda of the ninth Senate remains his focus and not any distraction whatsoever.
“We have promised Nigerians that the 9th National Assembly will work for them and will won’t allow ourselves to be detracted from getting that done .
“Every part of the country must have a tertiary institution, the very reason, the bill for Federal University in Oke – Ogun, will be pushed by us with the strong belief that President Buhari will sign it into law being somebody who believes in fairness and justice .
“I wish Senator Buhari well in his future ambition but as for us in the ninth Assembly, Nigeria and Nigerians, remain our focus “, he said.
Aside Senator Buhari and federal lawmakers from Oke – Ogun zone from the House of Representatives, politicians like the former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu attended the session as well as frontline traditional rulers like Okere of Shaki, Oba Khalid Olabisi Oyeniyi, Aseyin of Iseyin , Oba AbdulGaniyu Adekunle Salau.
