Lagos for show: Tinubu rounds off campaign rally with colourful road show

An unprecedented number of crowd of party members and supporters, on Tuesday, ushered the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign train to Lagos for the final rally of the ruling party.

Exuding confidence, Tinubu, who was full of praises for the party leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, promised to work hard like him for Nigeria if elected.

The President, who raised the hands of Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, wished them success at the polls.

President Buhari said: “I have the honour to raise the hands of the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Tinubu), and the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for re-election. Congratulations, and I wish APC the best.”

The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who presided over the rally, described Tinubu as the ‘president-in-waiting,’ saying that the crowds that graced the campaigns across the country had signalled the victory of the party.

Adamu, a former Governor of Nasarawa State, assured that Tinubu will build on the legacies of the President.

He said: “We are here for a symbolic rally where President Buhari is bringing the APC candidate to his home state after a long campaign.

“We have toured the whole country and we thank God for a successful campaign. We are assured of victory going by the large turnout in various states. It is our hope that the legacies of President Buhari will be built upon by Asiwaju Tinubu.

“To accomplish this, we need your votes. The die is cast. We have a President waiting to be sworn in on May 29.”

However, the chairman reminded party leaders and members that the last rally will take place in Taraba State.

It was a special homecoming for the former Lagos State governor, who rode confidently in a double-decker bus from the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja through Mushin to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the venue of the carnival-like rally.

The procession passed through Ikorodu Road, bursting out at Western Avenue, Surulere. Lagosians trooped out to catch a glimpse of the standard bearer, shouting: ‘Asiwaju, Jagaban.’

Tinubu was accompanied by his ruling mate, Shettima, who Buhari described as a loyal, dependable and courageous ally; Senator Adamu, Campaign Director-General/Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello, Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.

Also with him were the host Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare, Senator Solomon Adeola, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, former Borno State Governor Modi Sheriff, Ayiri Emami, Kashim Imam, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and Director, Strategic Communication, APC Campaign Council, Dele Alake.

They were welcomed to the main bowl of the stadium by Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members – Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Busura Alebiosu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Olorunfunmi Basorun, Princess Sarah Sosan, Prince Murphy Adetoro, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu, Iyaloja-General of Lagos Mrs. Folasade Tinubu Ojo, Lagos APC Women Leader Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Senator Andy Uba, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau, Ali Kumo, Zainab Bakare, Senator Binani, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his Deputy, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun.

Also at the rally were Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Hakeem Odumosu, Col. Dele Oyefuga, Dele Shitta, Femi Adekanbi, Gen. Charles Airhivbere, Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor Tayo Ayinde, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, Mrs. Emmanuela Fashola, Bola Longe, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Olorunimbe Mamora, Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, and Adamawa governorship candidate of APC, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, APC Women Leader Dr. Betta Edu, and Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was the master of ceremony.

Youths and students of the Lagos State University and Lagos State Polytechnic stormed the venue to affirm their endorsement of Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.

Artists, including Jide Kosoko, Foluke Daramola, Mama Surutu, Yinka Quadri, Zack Orji, Saheed Balogun and Fathia Balogun, and ace fuji maestro Chief Wasiu Ayinde entertained the crowd.

The rally was orderly. It kicked off after Tinubu and other party leaders rode into the main bowl around 3pm with opening prayers by Bishop Stephen Adegbite and the Chief Imam of Lagos.

Petty traders took the opportunity to make fortune as they hawked inside and outside the stadium unhindered.

Supporters of various senatorial, House of Representatives and Assembly candidates were in an excited mood, singing and dancing around the main bowl, and displaying the banners and placards of their candidates.

Tinubu thanked the crowd for their patience, love and commitment, urging them to maintain that dedication on poll day.

He said there will be elaborate celebrations after victory, urging them to vote for him and Sanwo-Olu to make it a reality.

Hailing the president, Tinubu acknowledged his commitment to a transparent poll and laying a solid foundation for the future generation.

He said: “As you worked hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria. All the plans set out in our Action Plan for Renewed Hope for Nigerians will be pursued rigorously.”

The standard bearer thanked President Buhari for standing firm for democracy, accountability, transparency and fairness.

Recalling his journey through the primary and choice of running mate, Tinubu said: “The president asked all of us interested to go and contest the primary of our party.

“After I was picked overwhelmingly by the delegates, he didn’t ask them to change the results because of my tribe or religion or because I’m not from Daura like him. He accepted me and celebrated with me, telling me ‘you are almost there now’.”

Tinubu also recalled that when it was time for the choice of a running mate, the President turned down his offer to choose for him, telling him “you know better, you are very experienced and you know the kind of person who will assist you to run the country, so pick that person”.

He said President Buhari gave him the courage, the confidence and the will to pick the right running mate.

The APC candidate said he chose Shettima as his running mate because he is a knowledgeable and independent-minded person.

Tinubu said Shettima had shown determination and grit to perform and be different, describing him as a dependable, reliable and courageous man.

He said while combating insurgency in his native Borno State, Shettima did not faint or blink.

He promised to do all in his power to continue where Buhari would stop, and consolidate his achievements.

Sanwo-Olu thanked party faithful and supporters for believing in the progressive cause, assuring that Lagos will remain a centre of excellence and a rallying point for Nigeria.

The governor urged the people to show their maximum love for Tinubu by voting for him on Saturday.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We thank everyone for coming out for Asiwaju Tinubu; we thank everyone for believing in the progressives.

“Your large turnout has shown that Lagos will continue to be the centre of excellence and the rallying point of our country.

“You have never disappointed us. On Saturday, we shall vote, count and be declared the winner.”

The governor thanked President Buhari for his fatherly role.

Lalong, who described Tinubu as the incoming president, said the party was already celebrating victory.

He stressed: “It is like we are already celebrating the victory of our party. Our incoming President, you won’t be a City Boy again, you would go back to Abuja to be Garki Boy. Before the election, a new president is already seen. I thank members of the campaign council.”

Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said her husband could be counted upon to deliver.

She said Tinubu will serve the country, urging Nigerians to vote for him and other APC candidates.

Mrs. Tinubu added: “We are at a crucial stage after a tough and hard campaign. God has been faithful. We thank you all. You can always count on us. We have been consistent for over 23 years. Asiwaju sees a need for the coming generation. We want to make Nigeria comfortable for you.

“You can count on my husband. He won’t disappoint. I will also not allow him to derail from the path of progress.

“By the grace of God, we will not disappoint you. We will not take your support for granted. Vote for all APC candidates in Nigeria. God bless you.”