About two weeks to the general elections, the minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday expressed confidence that the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will emerge victorious, saying the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’ s subtraction as a result of G-5 governors dissenting voice has no cure.
The G-5 governors are aggrieved members of the PDP who have been calling for the resignation of the party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu as a condition to support the candidature of its presidential flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Fashola, a former Governor of Lagos State took a swipe at the PDP and their candidates during a formal launching of ‘Eko o ni baje’ 10,000 foot soldiers for Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Also speaking at the event, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu charged the vote canvassers to take the campaign down and enlighten the electorate on the need to come out en masse to vote all APC candidates.
The Speaker, Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said the canvassers represent teachers of teachers, urging them to carry out thorough campaign in order to surpass previous results.
Some of the part leaders who present at the event are, minister of Science and Technology, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, ex-deputy Governors of Lagos State, Sarah Sosan and Adejoke Adefulire, former national legal adviser of the party, Muiz Banire, Gbenga Ashafa among others.
Addressing the audience, Fashola noted, “If they ask you the reason why you must vote APC, tell them all roads that link Lagos to the rest of the country is being done by APC, PDP didn’t do it for 16 years that they were in government.
“Asiwaju initiated the Lekki Free Trade Zone and I started it. The Lekki Port is for the benefit of the people and it has been inaugurated.”
He explained that the “PDP is dividend against itself so with a G-5 governors’ substraction, it is a subtraction that has no cure. Atiku has not only divided the party but the country.”
In a veiled reference to the Governornshp candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olajide Adediran popularity called Jandor, Fashola stated, “I know someone who thinks because he follows us as a camera man, he can become the Governor, you need experience. I did that for eight years so I know what it takes. Part of what helped me was because I was once a Chief of Staff. Come to our leadership training.”
He stressed, “I must vote for Sanwo-Olu because we have to pay him back for saving lives during covid.
“It is not about whether we will beat them but beating them convincingly. We must go out and use our strength.”
In his comments, Sanwo-Olu said, “I am here to thank you all. All of us have shown the commitment that when we work together, we can achieve a lot together.
“This 10,000 canvassers will further complement all other support groups so that five million target will be achieved. INEC has shown we have the numbers, that is what we want to show in the elections.
“At this point in time, Asiwaju is the best fit for this country. Tinubu/Shettima is a team that is unbeatable. We are talking about facts, what development trajectory that had happened. What the man has done not only in Lagos but for Nigeria. Giving his skills and capacity, Nigeria will be better for it. It is not about political patronage but this is a man we believe in,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
On his part, Obasa said, “We have to become teachers of teachers. You have to educate the agents on the election process. We are sure we are winning InshaAllah but we want something substantial as against what we had in the past.
“With what I can see here, I can see that we are battle ready. I strongly believe with our commitment, it is doable and achievable.”
Meanwhile, a Coalition of Political Parties in Lagos State numbering about 74 political parties which included the de-registered ones have endorsed presidential candidate of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu’s re-election bid.
Speaking in behalf of the group, Hon Akinola Obadia said , “The basis of our choice for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next President Federal Republic of Nigeria is not Far-fetched. Our choice is based on His track records, which is visible in the public domain for All to see.
“The Initiatives he brought into Governance in Lagos State, vis a vis to mention few of the notable achievements are LASTMA, LAWMA, L.I.R.S, WATCH, LASEPA, LAMATA, Etc. And lastly his passionate love for promotion of democracy, Good Governance and Human Capital.
“The Principled Patriotism of Asiwaju in history and His advancement of Democratic ideals right from the days of NADECO, sustaining the Principles, Politics and Legacies of Awoism as the only Surviving AD Governor in the Southwest in 2003 and his hand of fellowship with the North and Buhari in 2015 and leading the Southwest to Play National Politics FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT and his Consistent, Monumental Infrastructural Growth in Lagos State,.
“That qualify Lagos to stand on its own as a country are some of the planks to which we have based our decision to “Openly ENDORSE His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu today as the Best Man for the Job, to Govern Nigeria and take it out of the woods if he becomes the President come May 2023 Insha Allah.”
