The Yoruba king made the statement while welcoming a team led by Kenyan President, William Ruto, at the Lagos State annex of his palace.
Nigerian first-class monarch, the Ooni of Ife, has urged the supporters of the flag bearers of opposition parties, particularly Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to declare their support for the incoming administration of the “President-elect”, Bola Tinubu.
The Yoruba king made the statement while welcoming a team led by Kenyan President, William Ruto, at the Lagos State annex of his palace.
Francis Koskie, Kenya's chief of staff, Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, Harry Ebohen, CEO of Propetrol, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, and Kunmi Demuren, a fintech executive, were among the delegation members.
The team had also met with Tinubu to discuss how Africa might work together to achieve collective development, PM Nigeria News reports.
During their visit, Ooni urged all Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu in order to establish a better Nigeria.
He said: “As the presidential inauguration approaches, I beseech you all, young and old, Obidients and Atikulates, hopeful and weary, amiable and passionate, to lay down your arms.
“There is no reason to waste time looking back; all we have is today and the future. Now is the time to embrace our diversity and uniqueness
“We may differ in opinions and approaches to achieving a better Nigeria, but we all want a nation that we can be proud of. Let us come together to support the vision of Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.”
Speaking further at the event, Ooni said: “Symbolically, Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy, most populous nation, and a political powerhouse. During my last visit, the Kenyan President assured me of his government’s unwavering determination to improve its nations’ and businesses’ footprints in Nigeria. I identify with Kunmi Demuren, my son and formidable partner, a fintech guru known globally for excellence. With me also was my ever-friendly and charismatic governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who shares in the vision of new Africa, and I must pay tribute to Mr. Harry Ebohen, Propetrol’s CEO, is a business genius with extensive experience in the oil and gas and banking industries and most importantly, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
“Indeed, Africa is a continent of boundless possibilities not only of the past, but also of the present and the future. President William Ruto is impeccably devoted to work with Nigeria to lead the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) while creating an innovative future for our young people. The ambition of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who developed Africa’s largest oil refinery and the world’s largest single-train facility, has left its imprint on the remarkable story of Africa and AfCTA. Africa is the world’s engine, and we must remodel its priceless natural resources and safeguard its age-old wealth for our progress.”