President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, paid a visit to Ogun State where he made a stop at the Palace of the Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

Governor Dapo Abiodun was on the ground to receive President Tinubu, who landed at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode on a Nigeria Air Force helicopter.

He was accompanied by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

President Tinubu also inspected a guard of honour mounted for him by the military at the stadium after which he left for the private residence of the Awujale.

Speaking at the Palace of the Awujale, Tinubu recalled how critical his visits to Ogun State were ahead of the February 25, 2023 election.

He noted that he invoked the spirit of freedom and determination in Ogun State when he faced some hurdles before the election.

The President said that despite the ineffective cashless policy implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ahead of the election, he remained hopeful and optimistic about achieving victory.

Further reflecting on the challenges in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu recounted his concerns about the confiscation of funds and the failure of the cashless policy, and how he had previously sought wisdom and guidance from Oba Adetona during his visit to the palace.

According to the President, he invoked the spirits of freedom and determination, symbolised by “Emi lokan” to overcome the obstacles in the election.

“Our monies were confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work, it was terrible then. I realised that, I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom which we are noted for.

“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s Baba. Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you. The second spirit is that money or no money (we will do the election and we will win),” he said.

Tinubu observed the Sallah celebration in Lagos on Wednesday following his arrival from London, United Kingdom on Tuesday evening.

He was in Paris, France, alongside world leaders like French President, Emmanuel Macron for the New Global Financial Pact summit held at the Palais Brongniart.

After the two-day summit, the President proceeded to London, United Kingdom, for a “short private visit”, his spokesman, Dele Alake, said in a statement last Saturday, hinting that his principal will be back in Nigeria for the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.