OSUN: Tinubu hails ‘principled, trusted progressive’ Akande at 82

FORMER Governor of Lagos State and a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has heaped praises on the former interim Chairman of the APC, Bisi Akande, as he turns 82 today.

Tinubu noted that Akande’s support contributed immensely to his political success adding that the former governor of Osun is a principal and trusted ally.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Tinubu’s Media Adviser Tunde Rahman, titled, “At 82, Asiwaju Tinubu Hails Akande for Being A Principled, Perspective Leader, Trusted Progressive Ally,”

According to Tinubu, Akande’s immense contributions to the establishment and growth of progressive politics as well as national development could not be over emphasised.

The statement quoted Tinubu as saying, “Today, I join with his family, friends and indeed all Nigerians to congratulate Chief Bisi Akande on his 82nd birthday and to commend him for his outstanding contributions to democratic governance and to the progressive cause in Nigeria.

“Characteristic of this selfless man is his enlightened decision not so much to focus on himself this special day but to call each of us to pray for national healing so that Nigeria and Nigerians can overcome harmful consequences visited upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A committed democrat and a prudent yet compassionate leader of men, Chief Akande has done much for this country and for the progressive family. In addition to his able stewardship of Osun State, he has been a chief architect of our nation’s progressive political parties.

“In addition to his roles in the AD and ACN, he played a seminal role in the foundation of the APC. He is truly to be considered one of the few founding fathers of the APC.

“His deft and diplomatic performance as interim chairman of the APC confirmed that Chief Akande is one of our nation’s leading statesmen. “Since Baba enlisted in the Action Group in the First Republic to support the progressive ideals of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he has not looked back. He stands today even more committed to those vital and necessary ideals.

“Like Chief Awolowo, he has devoted his public life to engendering a truly democratic, just and egalitarian society where all people are given the opportunity to attain a happy and prosperous life and no one is condemned to do without the basic necessities that a modern and compassionate society should afford its citizenry.”