Nigeria’s President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, joined other top members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Lagos on Tuesday, pleading with the residents of the state to support his government by voting for the governorship candidate of his party in the election scheduled for Saturday.
Buhari, who will become Nigeria’s President from 29th May, told the residents that Lagos is too important to be lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is also doing everything possible to take over the state having lost the presidential election.
Buhari said it was time for the state to have a feel of Federal Government presence which it had lacked over the years and therefore cannot afford to miss the opportunity.
On Buhari’s entourage were Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and Senator Chris Ngige.
Before joining the rally which held at the Coker Orile area of the state, Buhari had visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to thank him for his support through the electioneering.
Buhari asked the people of the state to ensure they vote APC.
“Lagos is doing well and we are now at the centre. I have a lot of respect for Fashola because he is hardworking and committed to the state. No doubt, Lagos is a mini-Nigeria. I want you to vote for continuity in Lagos,” he said.
“Tell your neighbours, tell everyone to bury the hatchet and vote for APC,” he stated, indirectly referring to grievance being nursed by some people following a controversial threat by Oba Akiolu of Lagos against Igbo people should they refuse to vote for Akinwunmi Ambode, his chosen candidate.
Buhari promised that his administration would refund the N51 billion that the Federal Government is owing the Lagos State government for rehabilitation of federal roads.
While addressing the crowd made of majority of Igbo people in the state, fformer Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said Oba Rilwan Akiolu spoke on his personal position as a monarch and not as a member of the APC.
He also said the Oba was not a member of the party and thus could not speak for the party.
He also reminded the Igbo people that he had been in a cordial relationship with them in the state reminding them further of being the first ever Yoruba governor to appoint an Igbo man as a commissioner and that even the government of Babatunde Fashola also has an Igbo man as commissioner.
“To you Igbos, don’t we pay your children’s school fees like others? Or is it the palace that pays for it?
“When we conducted an exam and a spelling competition, an Igbo boy, Ebuka, from Anambra, came first and he became the governor for one day.
“Those that won the competition three times in a row were Igbo. Ebuka was sent to Switzerland computer school and then Obafemi Awolowo University. “We did not say he was an Igbo boy and he would not enjoy. He became an executive in Oando and he is now in Canada.
“Another boy, Felix, won and went to Switzerland and OAU. We paid his scholarship; we did not deny him because he is Igbo,” Tinubu said.
While addressing the rally, the APC gubernatorial candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode said 28th March was historic for Lagos as it joined the train of change in Nigeria, saying the APC is expressing gratitude for their support.
Ambode said he would not discriminate against any tribe if voted into office, adding that Lagos is a cosmopolitan city that would continue to be a home to all, adding his mission is to continue the culture of prosperity which has been in place in Lagos in the last 16 years.
He said his administration would take Lagos to the next level, explaining that the people should also ponder over the possibility of what Lagos stands to gain if it is ruled by the same party as the one in the centre, saying all would be possible.
