The enthusiasm and excitement that enveloped the Agege stadium, venue of the rally organized today by the Lagos Arewa Community in honour of All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial and Presidential candidates, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and General Muhammadu Buhari, was simply overwhelming.
Deafening chants of “NIGERIA! APC! SAI BABA! LAGOS! AMBODE!”, that was chorused by the large number of the Arewa people gathered to receive the duo and the APC entourage, showed their love and support for the candidates and further attested to their determination to vote Change at the centre and then continuity in Lagos.
In his opening address, APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu thanked the Arewa community for the amazing show of support given to the APC. With the intention to ensure that the support shown actually translates to votes, Asiwaju Tinubu moved on to describe the incoming election as a “clean-hand” election, where the eligibility of each voter boils down to the card and fingerprint verification processes.
“Clean your hands very well, and cast your vote. Don’t allow anyone to disenfranchise you because of this. Remain resolute, and I believe that the support you have shown today by this crowd will translate to votes, and we will win”, Tinubu noted.
A visibly elated Ambode urged his Arewa supporters to vote out the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the same way they together stamped out Ebola, in order to deliver the country from the plague of bad governance. In his words, “I can see that for the first time in a while, Nigerians are together resolute on one common agenda irrespective of tribe or religion, and that is, agenda “Change Jonathan”. The same way we stood against Ebola, I am sure we can defeat the PDP together. Our charge towards victory will start 9 days from now.”
“The election on March 28 and also on the 11th of April will mark points of history in our nation, and this your show of unalloyed support for Change at the centre and for continuity in our great state Lagos, gives all of us great hope”, he added.
Speaking in Hausa, General Buhari also appreciated the support given to his candidacy and also to that of Mr. Ambode. He decried how bad the nation has been run by the excuse-laden PDP government and assured that an APC government, when elected by their votes will ensure a turnaround of the nation’s fortune for the good of all.
Governor Fashola labelled the PDP as untrustworthy and unreliable, judging by the endless list of unfulfilled promises given by them, and therefore implored the Arewa faithful to remain truly resolute in the cause of making Nigeria work successfully.
“Do not be intimidated, do not be bought over, do not fear; cast and defend your votes for the APC non-violently, and I assure you that we’ll all enjoy the fruits of good and truly transformational governance”, Fashola added.
The Arewa endorsement rally adds to the growing list of support given to the APC by the resident ethnic nationalities in Lagos state, ahead of the beckoning general elections in the country.