The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and wives of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, on Thursday stormed Ilorin, Kwara State capital, to begin their mobilisation for the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

At the Ilorin rally, where the APC Women Leader, Dr. Binta Edu, said women will give 40 million votes to Tinubu and Shettima, Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq described the candidate as the best for Nigeria.

Also at the flag-off were Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs. Nana Shettima, Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Senator Sadiq Umar (North), House of Representatives member Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin, Kwara Central APC Senatorial candidate Turaki Salihu Mustapha, House of Assembly Speaker Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, and other lawmakers.

AbdulRazaq said the choice of Kwara for the flag-off was unique, owing to its position on gender parity and women empowerment.

Explaining why the state is supporting Tinubu, he said: “Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our support for Asiwaju Tinubu is not because he is perfect. Our support for Asiwaju is because of his provable excellent track record as a people person, who can consolidate on the gains of the present, drive inclusive growth, and lead our country to become more prosperous.

“Asiwaju has the experience. He has the temperament. And he has the right network to make our country more united and stronger. By their antecedents, it is clear that the Asiwaju Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket is the most experienced and the most progressive combination available on the ballot in 2023.

“As advocates of gender parity, we will work with Asiwaju to ensure that the rights and privileges of Nigerian women are fully protected.

“As the frontline state for gender inclusion and empowerment in Nigeria, I assure you of our commitment to making sure that women always get enough seats at the table where issues of public importance are decided.

“On this note, I call on the Nigerian people, especially our women, to support the APC in the coming elections for sustainable development and steady victory against all forces of evil.”

The First Lady said the campaign messaging of APC will be devoid of hate or anything that may affect the unity of Nigeria.

She added: “The women and youth presidential campaign committee has become a movement and proven to be the game changer leading to door-to-door and victory for the APC in 2015. In 2019, the same feat was repeated.

“We are here en masse, women and youths, ready to come up to seek your votes from men to men, women to women, house to house, door to door.

“In 2019, the feat was achieved because women used their numbers to prove their strengths, commitment and choice of the APC. The same feat will be recorded in 2023 by the Grace of God.

“APC is making progress in the field of women empowerment, and under APC, the future of women is assured. As women, we will vote for our party because the party has achieved a lot in the areas of health, education empowerment and road construction such as the second Niger Bridge.

“The APC is built on trust, values and understanding, respect and accommodation. Our campaign is devoid of hate speech, unlike those hatemongers who do not wish Nigeria well.

“Our campaign is full of soft speeches; no hate speeches, no character assassination, except commitment, mobilising and solidifying our unity.

“As a woman, mother, and grandmother, I advise Nigerian APC women to carry on the campaign with a sense of responsibility and commitment and unity for the victory of the party.”

Senator Oluremi Tinubu said: “Coming to Kwara State gives me the assurance of a nation that is more unified, productive and peaceful all across our borders during the Tinubu/Shettima administration.

“We, as the wives, are assuring you of continuous support. We will stand by our husbands to bring succour to the less privileged and the unemployed youths by encouraging entrepreneurial skills and do all within our power to ensure that we all live in harmony despite our ethnic and religious diversities.”

Kwara State Governor’s wife Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq pledged her total commitment to lead the women’s campaign across the state to mobilize votes.