Rep. Abejide rallies Northern Yorubas for Tinubu

The Asiwaju Yoruba of Kano State and member representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Honourable Leke Joseph Abejide, has called on Yoruba people living in the North to unite and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He made this appeal while addressing journalists at the 10th anniversary celebration and election of new executives of the Association of Yoruba Traditional Leaders/Obas in Northern States and the FCT in Abuja on Saturday.

Describing the gathering as unique, he highlighted how it showcases the culture, values, and significance of the Yoruba race in Nigeria.

He emphasised that the Yoruba people are a leading ethnic group that excels wherever they find themselves.

He said, *“I lived in Kano for about 32 years. I arrived in Kano as a nobody but, by the grace of God, I emerged as somebody.

“Our population in Kano State alone is not less than five million. We are significant enough to influence who becomes governor in Kano. This is how important we are in the state and in other parts of Northern Nigeria. Let me congratulate you all on your 10th anniversary.

“To all the traditional rulers present today, I want you to know that I, Elder Leke Joseph Abejide, will support you—provided you will walk with me in supporting the President.”*

He acknowledged the successes of Yoruba leaders in the North, including the Oba Yoruba of Kano State, Otisese, and Oba Funtua, stating that they have distinguished themselves in their respective endeavours.

Hon. Abejide urged Yoruba people to stand behind him in supporting President Tinubu’s policies and programmes, assuring them that such unity would yield dividends of democracy.

He said, *“I ask you to join me in whatever I do. When I was contesting for my second term in the House of Representatives, I told my people, ‘Follow me. If you follow me and the President wins, you will see what I will bring home.’ Tomorrow, I will flag off a 57.2-kilometre road project. This is not by my power alone, but because I have a strong political backing.

“In the same way, if you support me and follow my lead, you will witness great progress in this association. I do not act alone—I have a leader guiding me. Let us speak with one voice. When the time comes, if we unite, I can always secure benefits for this association.”*

Abejide reiterated his role as the Asiwaju Yoruba of Kano State, stating that the Yoruba population in Plateau, Funtua, Katsina, Gombe, Kaduna, and other northern states is so vast that, without them, Nigeria’s population would be significantly reduced.

He urged Yoruba people to use their numerical strength wisely, announcing plans for a larger gathering that would unite all Yoruba people across the 19 northern states and the FCT.

“We are a peaceful people,” he said. *”We do not engage in riots or disorderly conduct. We live exemplary lives, and that is why many of us excel in our various fields.

“I am a Yoruba man, yet I have mentored many indigenous people of Kano who are now multimillionaires. It is because of my character and attitude that I succeeded among them and helped many of them rise.”*

Speaking about future plans, he stated, *“Our traditional rulers need our support. I was restricted from bringing more people today by my Kabiyesi in Kano because we have an even bigger programme ahead. Our next focus is to build an ultra-modern palace for the Yoruba in Kano.

“There is no politics in this—it is purely about our cultural identity and ensuring that the Yoruba community in the North thrives. Yoruba-speaking people originate from the Southwest, yet we have built strong communities across the North.

“This 10th-anniversary celebration marks a decade of formally organising our leadership structures in the North, although our presence has been established for much longer.

“We are millions in number. In Kano alone, we are over five million. In Plateau State, particularly among the Ogbomosho people, our numbers are also in the millions. We have thriving Yoruba communities in Funtua, Kano, and beyond.