- As Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, youths drum support for APC candidates
- We cannot experiment with Lagos, says Governor
Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, political parties in four states in the South-West have collapsed their structures to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the poll.
The political parties, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Action Democratic Party (ADP), who are members of the South-West Alliance of Registered Political Parties said they decided to collapse their political parties’ structures to ensure Tinubu’s victory in Saturday’s election.
The decision of the political parties to work for Tinubu’s victory was announced by the Lagos State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mobolaji Olusegun of YPP during the Lagos Youth Stakeholders Parley organised by the Office of the Lagos APC Youth Leader at Ikeja on Wednesday.
He was accompanied by Osun State IPAC Chairman, Simon Adebayo of APM; his Ogun State counterpart, Samson Okusanya of PRP and IPAC Chairman in Oyo State, Apostle Dare Ojo of ADP, who also expressed their party’s decision to collapse their structures and support Tinubu to be the next President of Nigeria.
The Lagos IPAC Chairman, while speaking on behalf of his colleagues, said the political parties resolved to support and work for Tinubu’s victory in Saturday’s presidential poll because they believed he is the best candidate.
“We have all decided to collapse our structures to work for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We are supporting Asiwaju’s mandate and we are going to work toward his victory as the next president of Nigeria,” Olusegun said.
Speaking at the event attended by thousands of youths, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the youths and other Nigerians, especially those who are of voting age to vote for the APC presidential candidate during Saturday’s election, noting that Tinubu is the best among all the presidential candidates based on his antecedents, record of achievements and laudable programmes, which have been copied by many states.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamazat said Nigeria needs a bold and courageous man like Tinubu to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “To rebuild this country, we need somebody who has vision, boldness, courage and is ready to fight for the interest of the people. We need credible leaders in our country. What we need is a man like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has the courage and boldness to make decisions and stand by them. Asiwaju is taller than all the other presidential candidates because of his vision.
“We need somebody who can think outside the box to protect all of us. I believe that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are good combinations based on their past records and what they achieved in their respective states – Lagos and Borno when they were governors.”
Sanwo-Olu while canvassing for the continuity of the ruling party in Lagos State, urged electorates to re-elect him and vote for all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections based on records of performance and delivery of good governance and dividends of democracy to Lagos residents by APC.
“We cannot experiment with Lagos State. We need people who can shape our life at the top,” the Governor advised.
Also speaking, Lagos East APC senatorial candidate, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and the party’s candidate for Lagos West senatorial district, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, urged the youths to come out in large numbers to vote for Tinubu and other APC National Assembly candidates on Saturday.
Abiru and Adebule also called on Lagos residents to re-elect Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat during the gubernatorial polls, and also vote for all the APC House of Assembly candidates during the March 11 elections.
Speaking earlier, Lagos APC Youth Leader, Dr. Muritala Seriki, also drum support for Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, and other APC candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections, urging all the youths to vote for them.
He assured the youths that they will benefit a lot from Tinubu’s presidency because he has a comprehensive programme as slated in the Renewed Hope manifesto for youths on employment and empowerment.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
22 FEBRUARY 2023
PRESS RELEASE
I’LL WORK HARD TO MAKE NIGERIA BETTER, TINUBU PLEDGES AS APC WINDS UP PRESIDENTIAL RALLIES IN LAGOS
- Pres. Buhari, APC Governors attend party’s grand rally
- Streets in Lagos erupt in political carnival, as thousands accompany Tinubu’s motorcade from airport
The nationwide presidential campaign rallies of All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, peaked in Lagos State – the political base of the ruling party’s presidential standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The metropolis witnessed what appeared to be its largest political parade; elegantly dressed residents and party supporters trooped into streets with various shades of campaign banners, dancing and chanting APC slogans. They walked to the rally ground – Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere – to wait for the presidential candidate and members of the campaign council.
Tinubu, who flew into Lagos from Abuja, was received by a tumultuous crowd of residents, and rode in a large motorcade from the airport through the city. The crowd grew stronger as the political procession moved from Ikeja to Oshodi, Mushin and Ojuelegba.
The physical presence of President Muhammadu Buhari sent a message of reassurance to the crowd of party supporters that thronged the rally ground.
The campaign’s grand finale was attended by all APC Governors, Senate President, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, members of Lagos State Executive Council, party leaders in Lagos and other States in the Southwest.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while declaring the rally open, said the sight of a massive crowd that accompanied APC presidential candidate’s motorcade to the stadium further demonstrated Lagos remained a stronghold of the progressives, thanking Lagosians for supporting and keeping faith with the party.
Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu had not only traversed the country to canvass for the support of all Nigerians, the Governor said the candidate had shown his commitment to lead the country on a new path to peace, stability and prosperity.
He said: “From Ikeja down to this rally, we witnessed overwhelming show of support and love for Asiwaju on the streets, which is an acknowledgment of the love Lagos people have for the City Boy (Tinubu). Thank you Lagosians for believing in the progressives party and for rising to receive our leader.
“On Saturday, we have another opportunity to consolidate the support which you have shown our party. I urge you all to troop to your polling stations and massively vote for the man who has the capacity to bring the country to another level of development. With your support, I have no doubt APC will be victorious.”
Tinubu, apparently moved by the massive turnout at the rally, said he heard the message from the electorate “loud and clear”. He expressed his readiness to offer his intellectual ability to lead the country and chart a new future for the youth.
The APC presidential candidate described the level of support he received throughout the electioneering “as extremely remarkable”, pledging to deploy his physical and mental energy to work out his vision for Nigeria and renew the citizens’ hope.
He said: “I am coming to give Nigerians renewed hope, because there is hope in the country. The level of support I have received throughout the campaign is extremely remarkable. I assure you all that, as you work hard for my victory, I will work hard for Nigeria.
“I will sustain that hope by prioritising your wellbeing at all times. Those who are feeling helpless today will have their expectations revalidated. All the agenda set out in our manifesto will be pursued vigorously with all our energy.”
Explaining why the choice of his running mate, Tinubu said Sen. Kashim Shettima stood out among the list of qualified party members he had in mind. Aside possessing knowledge, attitude and capacity, Tinubu said Shettima faced Boko Haram crisis as Borno State Governor with perseverance, determination and grit to overcome the challenge, while protecting citizens of his State from the effects of terrorism.
The APC presidential candidate expressed gratitude to Buhari for allowing internal democracy within the party and freedom to choose the party’s flag bearer.
Tinubu said: “Mr. President, thank you in a million time. You set our feet on the path to the future, to work on and achieve greatness because it is desirable for Nigeria to be great.
“You said, for anyone to succeed you, he or she must work and follow the guidelines for nomination and that the primaries must be very transparent. You said our party will be a shining example like dew on the mountain.”
Buhari raised the hands of Tinubu and Shettima in demonstration of his commitment to APC victory at the election.
Director General of APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, hailed Lagosians for trooping out for the rally, saying: ”The crowd that welcomed us looked like we were already celebrating the victory of our party.”
Lalong said a new president was already in place, adding that the country was only waiting for the presidential election to ratify the party’s victory.
He thanked Nigerians in advance for electing Tinubu.
APC chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the party and its standard bearer traversed the length and breadth of the country, and organised successful campaigns.
“By the feelers we got across the country, we are sure of victory. I believe by this time on Saturday, we would be celebrating. The die is cast; Tinubu will be sworn in May 29, 2023,” Adamu said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
21 FEBRUARY 2023
