Akinwunmi Ambode, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, was one of the Special Guests of Honour at the annual summit organized by the January 9 Collective (J9C) group, held today at the Muson Centre in Lagos.

The theme of discuss at the summit was, “2015 General Poll: BEYOND THE RHETORICS OF CREDIBLE ELECTIONS”, and Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was there to join the other well-meaning Nigerians, professionals, students and artisans alike, to discuss practical steps that can help in the achievement of credible polls.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ambode said that credible elections are truly achievable, and is the responsibility of all Nigerians, leadership and followership alike.
The Governorship candidate noted that conducting credible elections will only workout when the institutional framework for elections are set up “truly independently, with discipline and sanctity”.

He moved on to say the role of the Nigerian followership goes beyond being mere onlookers, and that they must believe that the concept of true change is not mere theory.
“If we love Change and believe in it, we must stand up for that Change, and make a paradigm shift from being mere talkers to becoming practical change agents. This is why someone like me is standing up for Change, and we need your practical support to make it happen”.

A professor of Political Anthropology, Professor Anthony Kila, was the keynote speaker at the summit. He was joined by many other notable dignitaries which included Chief Dele Momodu, Asiwaju Femi Somolu, Mrs. Ayo Obey, a representative of the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ken Nwosu, among others.

The J9C is a non-political group of professionals who came together as an offshoot of the 2012 “Occupy Nigeria” movement that followed the then fuel subsidy removal. Today’s summit was there 3rd in the annual series.