Tinubu, who addressed a urge crowd of party members and supporters at the flag off of the APC governorship campaigns in Lagos, described the PDP an an Ebola-infested party, urging the people to flee from its candidates at the elections. He said Agbaje’s decision to contest on the platform of the PDP is worrisome and embarrassing, adding that he took the wrong decision at a time Nigerians were fed up with the ruling party at the centre.
At the carnival-like campaign held at the Skypower Ground, Government Reservation Area, Ikeja, party flags were presented to the governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, the Lagos West senatorial candidate, Yayi Adeola Olamilekan, the House of Representatives candidate for Ikeja District, Hon. James Faleke, and the House of Assembly candidates for Ikeja Constituency I and 11, Gbolahan Lai-Mohammed and Damola Kasumu, by the party chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale.
Ambode, who was described as the choice of the youths, promised to run an accountable government, if elected at the February 28 poll. Exuding confidence, the flag bearer, who was accompanied by his wife, Bola, said: “I have been an accountant all my life. I will be accountable to you. We will make life more economically viable. We will make Lagos safer. We will set up an Employment Trust fund that will make youths have access to finance for entrepreneurship.
“I will be like BRF. I will be like Asiwaju. I have learned under them. They will pray for me. I will perform better than them. I will not disappoint Lagosians.”
The flag bearer added: “The moment of history has come. We are excited. We are grateful to God for this day. Our party exists in all local governments and nooks and crannies. We stand for the protection of lives and property. We will carry all the people along, irrespective of their tribes.
“At the centre, we need change. The economy may collapse, if it is left in the hands of the PDP. Some parts of the North has been taken over by the Boko Haram. Enough of suffering under the PDP. We should vote for Buhari and Osinbajo on February 14 and 28.”
Noting that the job of the governor is tedious, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) urged Lagosians to endorse the youthful governorship candidate, saying that he is full of vigour, zest and energy.
He stressed: “It is a tough job. I took the job at the age of 44. Now, I am 52. When I took the job, I could count the number of grey hairs I had. Now, I can’t count them again. I thank Lagosians for giving me the job. I thank Lagosians for also taking care of me. Akinwumi Ambode is younger than me. You need youthfulness to do this job. That man (the PDP candidate) is already 60. An old man cannot do the job. If you call him at midnight, he will not pick your call.”
Many stakeholders, interest groups, women and youth organisations from 57 local councils joined party faithful for the campaign, which lasted for almost eight hours. Thrilling the crowd were the ace fuji musician, Alhaji Ayinde Wasiu, Buga, and other artisists-Kunle Afuad, Iyabo Oke, Mrs. Surutu, Doris Simon, Segun Ogungbe, Sikiratu Sindodo, Ojo arowosoge ((adeyi Oloro).
At the campaign presided over by Ajomale were the deputy governor, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, her predecessors, Princess Sarah Sosan and Otunba Olufemi Pedro, the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) and Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Chief Pius Akinyelure, Prince Oluyole Olusi, Chief Kayode Olowu, Second Republic Deputy Governor Rafiu Jafojo, Col. Adedeji Ajala (rtd), Dr. Abayomi Finnih, Hon. Olawale Oshun, Chief Lanre Rasak, APC National Publicity Alhaji lai Mohammed, House of Representatives Minority Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Women Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Folake Shokunbi, former Heads of Service Hon. Yakubu Balogun and Adesegun Ogunlewe, former party secretary Primate Charles Odugbesi, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Mrs. Sola Oworu, Chief Wale Mogaji, Cpmrade Ayodele Adewale, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Hon. Lateef Raji, Mr. Tunde Temionu, and Mrs. Jumoke Okoye-Thomas.
Other chieftains are the ceremony were House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, his predecessor, Joko Pelumi, Hon. Bola Olujobi Badmus, Chief Demola Seriki, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Mrs. Toke Benson, Hon. Hakeem Gbamgbola, Ademorin Kuye, Abdullahi Enilolobo, Fuad Oki, Kola Pregrillo, Chief Raheem Daramola, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Ademola Sodiq, and Hon. Kolawole taiwo, Gbolahan Yishau, Alhaji ganiyu Badmus, Hon. Olamide Kasali, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, and Hon. Wale Ahmed, Hon. Paul Kalejaye, who was the master of ceremony.
Excited at the urge crowd, Tinubu, who thanked them and other party chieftains, said it was an evidence that the APC will win the general elections. The former governor told them that Ambode is better than Agbaje, who he said lacked experience about governance.
Tinubu said: “There is no way for the Poverty Development Party, the Peoples Deception Party in Lagos. Lagos is not for experimentation. He (Agbaje) was with us in the AD. He failed. He said hewas going to Afenifere. He was in the ACN. He contested against Fashola. He failed. We said Fashola is more knowledgable; he is a man who listens to instructions. We asked him to be his deputy and learn so that he can be a good governor later; that he should go through aprehenticeship. He rejected the offer of a deputy governor. He went to the DPA. he became their leader. In DPA, he contested against Fashola.
“Lagos has faith in a better and rewarding future. We said Lagos will not spoil (Eko o ni baje). He was defeated; he came back and we said he should go to the cabinet; he said no; well, we have many people to do the job in our party; In a twinkle of an eye, Jk went to the PDP; PDP is Ebola. But, we say Lagos is not for experiment. We know where we are coming from. We know where we are going. How many drugs does he have in his pharmacy to cure Lagos. We don’t need experiment in Lagos.”
Tinubu said the APC government has lived up to expectation in the last eight years under Fashola, adding that continuity is desirable. Tinubu described himself as an expert in talent hunt, adding that the choice of Fashola as the 2007 flag bearer has produced fruits of development, progress and prosperity for Lagosians.
He added: “Today is a great day. I am a proud man. I am happy. I thank the Almighty God. This crowd makes me to be proud of Lagosians. In 2007, I handed over to one young man. I brought him before you. I told you he will perform better; that he is a SAN with a sound mind. That man is Babatunde Raji Fashola.
“It has been eight years of performance, unequalled performance, unbroken promises, sound experience, construction of good schools and roads, employment for younger people, youth skill development. Mother and Child hospitals are getting better. The state has made progress under rhe leadership of Fashola.
“I am a proud leader and father. Whatever they may say, who is the father of this talent? I am the one. Our prayer is that our children will live and perform better than us. May your children live and perform better than you.”
Tinubu reflected on how Ambode became the candidate, recalling that the youths of Lagos rooted for him. He said: “Many leaders, women and youths came to me. You said you wanted a talented, experienced youth to continue where Fashola would stop. We cannot experiment in Lagos. I said, wait. Don’t be in a hurry. Help is on the way. Voluntarily, you identofied that help. It is my joy to present Akinwumi Ambode to you.”
The former governor thanked the governorship aspirants who participated at the primaries for their dedication, loyalty and understanding, adding that their conduct has portrayed the APC as a great family. Tinubu thanked Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for their spirit of sportsmanship and Dr. Leke Pitan, Dr. Tola Kasali, Tayo Ayinde, Yemi Ikuforiji, Adekunle Disu and mrs. Agbesanwa for their commitment to the party.
Noting that Lagos State also produced Prof. Yemi Oshinbajo (SAN) as the APC vice presidential candidate, he said the legal scholar will team up with General Muhammadu Buhari in the implementation of the commonsense revolution. He said, since Nigeria is facing grace challenges, it needs special leaders at the state and federal levels to navigate the ship of the state.
Tinubue stressed: “I am happy that Osinbajo, a former member of Lagos State cabinet, is the running mate to Buhari, who is a straightforward, bold, honest Nigerian. A nation needs a special leader in its time of trial. Nigeria made a mistake in electing Jonathan in 2011. Jonathan is a man who gives excuses. He has admitted that he has failed. No more repeat. We want Buhari. Jonathan must go.
“Jonathan has spent all the money. He is spendthrift. Now, revenue is dropping. We need a man of intellect and an expert in financial engineering. When the Lagos money was seized, Ambode found solution to the problem. He has done good to Lagos. He must reap goodness.”
Fashola, who urged Lagosians to reject the PDP at the polls, said that PDP leaders are fond of peddling falsehood. Noting that Tinubu has described the party as Ebola, the governor said: ‘PDP is more terrible than Ebola.”
Fashola advised Lagosians of 18 years and above to vote wisely, adding that they cannot be disqualified when they are armed with their permanent or temporary voter’s cards. The governor, who berated the President for failing to fight the infrastructure battle, said that he does not deserve re-election.
He added: “Jonathan is complaining that Buhari who was in power in 1985 did not buy guns for the military. But, Nigerians solders have been part of the ECOMOG in their peace-keeping mission in West Africa. Does Jonathan wants to fight insecurity with 1985 guns?”
Noting that the next administration will face some challenges, Fashola said, since the next challenge is financial management, Ambode is fit for the job.
Second Republic House of Representatives member Olusi, who said he was overwhelmed by the crowd of supporters, added that it has strengthened his belief that victory is at hand.
Urging Lagosians to embrace the elections as a contribution to the cause of popular rule, he said: “Be prepared. Get ready. get your voter’s cards ready. Patience and endurance are required to collect the cards. Our country in mess. You know the position f the economy, transportation and electricity. We need to reduce to the barest minimum corruption. Obasanjo, who has been with them, said that the economy has been mismanaged. Since change is desirable, vote for the APC.
Reflecting of the succession struggle in the state, he said: “Tinubu ruled for eight years. God used him to chose Raji Fashola as the governor. He ruled well. APC governors are doing well. That is why APC is fit to rule the state and the country.”
Former Commissioner Nelson, who doubles as the Southwest Women Leader, advised Lagosians to vote for continuity in their own interest. She described Ambode as a better candidate, assuring that he will nt disappoint the people.
She added: “You should go and collect your PVCs. They cannot rig it. We have brought out a good candidate. Ambode will perform better than Fashola. There will be more development. Nigerians should not vote for those who cannot liberate the Chibok girls. Women in Lagos should vote for the APC becaise the APC has always defended the interest of women.”
Former APC Youth Leader Enilolobo said: “PDP has wrecked havoc on democracy. Under the miliary rule, we paid N60 per litre for petrol. It is now N96. Cement was N80. It is now N2,000. There is no electricity. PDP has brought misery.”
Ajomale said: “By the grace of God, we are going to win. Somebody who has destroyed the economy of the country does not deserve re-election. When America had problem, they changed their government. We are having problems now.”
