The Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has urged Nigerians to support the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Europe’s first ethnic media satellite and television channel, BEN TV Mentoring Cmdt, Ali Soyode in his aspiration to become the President of Nigeria.

Alake made the call when Soyode and his team paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to the royal father, Soyode’s “tenacity in management is something Nigeria needs and successes gained for blacks in Britain can be transferred and shared for Nigeria’s development and growth.”

He commended him for his foresight and dedication to national interest, adding “it is a blessing to Nigeria and for the State to always be a first and Soyode held onto that by becoming the first in setting up the first black media channel in Europe.”

“It is a worthy journey for you now in life. Our prayers are with you. Once you have a dream, it is good to follow the dream. You have shown success, you have a track record in your life. It is not going to be easy. But you have what it takes. Your work has made things easier for us travelling around the world to be respected compared to how it used to be before the advent of BEN TV,” Alake noted.

Soyode said he will continue his nationwide visit and consultation with elders, traditional rulers and the grass-roots in the country towards his ambition to contest for the office of the President come 2019.

The BEN TV boss is also the convener of the fast-rising YES Nigeria movement before partaking in the emergence of other similar movements in Nigeria.

In the YES Nigeria delegation with Ali Soyode were Dr. Mary Manzo, a National Coordinator of YES; Mr. Larry Ijaola (Diaspora); Barr. Fola Raman, SouthWest Co-ordinator, Mrs Sarah James (Women Dept) amongst others.

Soyode told the Alake that they were there to officially inform him of their collective readiness and willingness to participate in strengthening democracy in the country and becoming a major block come 2019 even as he works to become the number one citizen in the country.

He called on all PVC holders to actively go out and vote in the coming elections. “Having your PVC and not using it is more dangerous than any crime holding us back from progressing as a nation,” he said. According to him Nigerians through participation now have options to elect good leaders that can deliver good governance and be the bridge for the country’s unity.

“We came in the spirit of uniting our country. I am a citizen of Nigeria born in Katsina of parents from both the North and South of the country. Nigeria needs a bridge builder; a bridge to better education, good health care, equitable nation and one that will honour the mandate of our constitution as it is presently until amended. We are happy to see our elders and Royal Father encouraging us to answer the call and we are most honoured,” added Soyode.

The Presidential aspirant told the Alake that their YES Nigeria has been ongoing for about a year, concentrating more in the villages by running educational series for the electorates on their voting rights and power of the thumb or pen for ballot papers.

“It is good to have the PVC but using it is much better and of greater magnitude to national values desired. There is no need to have PVC for shelf decoration or identification while leadership demands changes and good governance needed for a better nation where every citizen is treated equally. 4 million voters are more and stronger than 70 million other registered PVC holders who did not or may not vote. Voters have the upper hand and in a position to reposition the nation,” Soyode said.

Alake is one of the five sections of Egbaland, the others being Oke-Ona, Gbagura, the Owu and Ibara. The Alake of Egbaland, is the traditional ruler of the Egba clan of Yoruba in the city of Abeokuta in southwestern Nigeria.