BAYO AGBOOLA, from Ibadan reports that at last, the rescheduled presidential campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu held on Thursday, February 16 in Ibadan the Oyo state capital
The triumphant entry
The entire city stood still for hours as soon as Tinubu’s aircraft touched down at Ibadan Airport, Alakia around 2:30 pm.
Despite the harsh weather, thousands of the party faithful that stormed Mapo area of Ibadan for the landmark rally waited till Asiwaju Tinubu arrived the venue amid loud ovation from the crowd.
The Fuji maestro King Wasiu Ayinde and his Bandster were on hand entertaining the crowd.
On arrival, Tinubu was received by the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Teslim Folarin, Oyo APC Chairman, Hon Isaac Omodewu and other party dignitaries from across Oyo state.
The APC presidential campaign at Mapo, without doubt shook the entire Ibadanland to its foundation considering the turnout of people, particularly, APC members and supporters of the presidential candidate.
From the Airport to Iwo road and other routes back to Mapo, very late in the day, when Asiwaju Tinubu finally raised the hands of the APC governorship candidate in Oyo state, Senator Teslim Folarin, the ovation from the mammoth crowd was overwhelming.
Alleged conspiracy against Ibadan rally
Few hours into the presidential rally, the Oyo APC alerted in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Wale Sadare, that it has uncovered plots under the guise of protests over naira notes and fuel scarcity to sabotage the rescheduled presidential rally.
He said, “there are indications that the renewed protest is to frustrate the party’s rescheduled presidential rally which was moved from Tuesday last week and rescheduled as it became imperative for us to act in the mood of the nation.
“There are all indications that the pockets of protest being witnessed in some major parts of Ibadan were coordinated and sponsored by the PDP government of Oyo state with a view to frustrating the presidential rally of our great party (APC) which was moved from Tuesday last week and rescheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) as it became imperative for us to act in the mood of the nation.
“Since it has been discovered that the scarcity situation were the brainchild of some anti-democratic forces, we have chosen not to play into their hands and we enjoin all well meaning citizens of the country to reject all actions capable of derailing the schedule of the general election”.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the candidate to beat for the presidential candidate and reality does not go down well with certain influential personalities who are now hellbent on instigating violence for obvious reasons.
“In the case of Oyo state, they have found a willing tool in the hands of the PDP government and his party men who started with alleged sponsoring of miscreants to vandalise campaign materials of all APC candidates, including those of Senator Bola Tinubu and Sen. Kassim Shettima.
“Just last week, they brought out some misguided youth around UI-Agbowo community to carry out needless protests and they discontinued their activities immediately we announced the postponement of the event.
“Meanwhile, we are in possession of some unimpeachable facts regarding the identities of the real sponsors and coordinators of these violent protests and they all domicile around Agodi Government House”.
Oyo APC stressed, “Today again which is the eve of the rescheduled presidential rally, we have started getting reports of coordinated protests all over the city of Ibadan. Ordinarily, we should all be involved in peaceful protests against the hardship foisted on the citizenry by the NNPCL and CBN but a critical appraisal of the development got us convinced that civil unrest should not be encouraged.”
Tinubu visits Makinde
However, contrary to the raised allegation, the APC presidential candidate arrived with his team comprising Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister for Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, former governors Gboyega Oyetola, Kayode Fayemi of Osun and Ekiti states respectively and the former national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande.
Others were the former Minister and Senator from Lagos state, Musiliu Obanikoro, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole and other top leaders of the APC on arrival in Ibadan headed for the Oyo state Government Secretariat to pay courtesy visit on Governor Seyi Makinde at his office at Agodi area of Ibadan.
Their purpose of their visit was to solicit the support of the governor, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a prominent figure in the PDP G5.
Asiwaju Tinubu minced no words in saying he is “aspiring to become the president of a united, one country, Nigeria”.
“I am aspiring to become the president of a united, one country, Nigeria, and for that sake, political divide and separation must be clearly out of our way.
“That is why the first port of call should be the Chief Executive and the Chief Security Officer of the state, constitutionally.
“So, I am here to give you insights into why we are all in Oyo state today. I really want to thank you for your good reception because it is not easy to take an opposition entourage into the canopy of your own shade, but you did.
“Equally, you have demonstrated the characteristics of a good leader, a persevering individual, hardworking regardless of our political divide, and respectful in every aspect of your behaviour.So, today, I decided to pay you that respect and thank you for the good job you are doing in Oyo state.”
Makinde’s response
Receiving Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde said the people of Oyo state would vote for equity, fairness, justice and unity of Nigeria in the presidential election and that the message of the G5 governors and integrity group is that if they have to choose between the unity of this country and political aspirations, they would choose the unity of this country.
“Let me use this opportunity to welcome you to Oyo state for your campaign. We have done everything to ensure that the exercise is peaceful and also enable you to pass your message to the people of the state. We don’t play politics with governance here. I have my brother here, the former governor of Osun state, Gboyega Oyetola.
“We worked together irrespective of the party affiliations, to solve a particular problem, which has lingered between Oyo and Osun states. It is a demonstration of putting our people first as opposed to the party affiliations.
“Like you rightly pointed out, sir, if you look at the wall (in the Executive Council Chambers), you will see from the colonial masters all the way to the immediate past Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“Here, we do have a sense of history, and some of them ruled under different political parties. So, players will come and go but our country will remain. We, the G5 and Integrity group are saying that, look, if we have to choose between the unity of this country and our political aspirations, we will choose the unity of this country.
“So, I alluded to the sacrifices made by our APC colleagues, the governors from the Northern part of this country because we also monitored your emergence, and they sacrificed certain things for the unity of this country.
“If we have to move forward as a people, we have to evolve a system such that there is inclusivity, fairness, justice and equity in how we run this country. If the country does not survive, the political parties will fade away.
“So, I will say that I wish you well. It is only few days to go, about nine days. One thing I want you to take away from this visit today is the fact that we will vote for equity, for fairness, for justice and for unity of Nigeria in this presidential election.”
Meeting with Yoruba monarchs
Moments after leaving Governor Seyi Makinde, the APC presidential candidate moved to the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, for a close door meeting with Yoruba traditional rulers from Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo,and Oyo states led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
After the meeting, a communique signed by the Director General of Conscience of Yoruba Nation, Abagun Kole Omololu was issued with the royal fathers acknowledging Asiwaju Tinubu’s solid democratic credentials and unwavering commitment to the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.
Other Obas at the meeting included the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Gbolahan Lawal; Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Oyewole; Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Micheal Adedeji; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Sotobi; Arinjale of Ise Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Ajayi; Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis; Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo among others.
The Yoruba monarchs in the communique affirmed the preeminent qualification of Asiwaju Tinubu for the highest office in Nigeria as well as affirming their faith and support for Nigeria’s unity, peace, prosperity and progress and pledged to support the democratic process based on free choices according to universal adult suffrage freely exercised by the people and equally expressed concern about the recent hardship suffered by the people due to perennial fuel scarcity and the naira redesign policy.
Emphasizing the need for “more humane handling of these challenges to free the people from high- handedness, poverty and want”, the royal fathers also pledged their support for the success of the elections and urged the people to exercise their civic duties peacefully to engender a desired change in the country.
“To this end, the traditional rulers appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies and other institutions involved in the general elections to support and uphold the right of every Nigerian to freely cast their vote without let or hindrance to guarantee the sanctity of the electoral process,”
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