Presidential Campaign Rally: Tinubu Seeks Kwara State’s Allegiance to APC
Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin.
The All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other APC party stalwarts have sought the allegiance of the people of Kwara state to the APC, while congratulating the state on what he described as “freedom from political servitude” to past state administrations under the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Addressing thousands of party supporters and chieftains who attended the party’s rally in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Tinubu described the party’s victory four years ago as a thunderbolt across the country.
“You deserve great congratulations!
“Kwarans have heaved a sigh of relief since shaking off the yoke of political servitude in 2019, with great improvements in delivery of basic amenities and other goodies.
“Today, we are just celebrating freedom. We are re-assessing and re-asserting our freedom in democracy.
“Yesterday, they never believed that today would happen, but it is happening in your lifetime.
“We thank you for believing in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. He knows how to behave. He is a very honest, genuine, and hardworking man,” Tinubu declared.
He urged the people of the state to vote for him as their presidential candidate on February 25 and also for all the APC National Assembly candidates. He also solicited for votes for the incumbent Governor AbdulRazaq, who is seeking a re-election as well as all the House of Assembly candidates on March 11.
The presidential rally, which was preceded by what was practically a city-wide rally as tens of thousands trooped out to catch a glimpse of the campaign train, was attended by the APC vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima; director general of the campaign, Governor Simon Lalong (Plateau state); Governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sanni Bello; the Kwara state deputy governor, Kayode Alabi; the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu; former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; several senators, including the three from Kwara state; House of Representatives members; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare; Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Salihu Danladi; House of Assembly members; cabinet members; Kwara APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi; and several other dignitaries from across the country.
The Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, accompanied by the First Lady Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, commended the people of the state for coming out in droves to welcome Tinubu and his entourage.
“The huge crowd is a testament to our standing with the people of Kwara state and also shows that they have won this election.
“Our presidential candidate has seen what we have done in this state.
“Kwara is APC. Kwara indeed is one of the strongholds of the APC. Our members are happy. The state is happy.
“They have seen what we have done. We met a failed state in several sectors, and we have been able to tackle it from education, healthcare, and other sectors. All the indices have gone up in the right sense.
“You need to continue to support this party at all levels.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has done well. We need to build on his success. No person could have done what he has done, despite the economic downturn, Covid-19 pandemic, and global economic crisis.
“We must sustain this growth consistently. That will be continued by our incoming team led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” said Governor AbdulRazaq.
The governor urged party faithfuls to support and vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the progress his administration has made in the state will be continued with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He appreciated Tinubu’s support to the state in 2019.
The governor also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, who is away in Mauritania, for his efforts and support towards the state’s progress.
“We appreciate his efforts and the support he has been giving this government for the progress of the state.
“You all know what we have been doing in this state from healthcare.
“Don’t allow the party of people of dubious characters to come back into this state.
“Don’t allow people who stole the UBEC funds to come back to this state. They could not even pay salaries. What are they coming to do?
“Just last month, we paid N3.5bn for pensions and gratuities of 2009 and 2010.
“When we came in, there was no water works working in this state. We have 90 waterworks in this state right from the time of Sir Ahmadu Bello – they crashed everything.
“In fact, they were not paying counterpart funds in the health sector. Nothing!” said the governor.
For his part, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, said Kwara has proven to be a strong APC state with the showings posted for the rally.
“Kwarans, you have really surprised me. I have seen more than what I expected, and everyone has seen what Kwara has done today. You have said it loud and clear that you are better together. We pray and hope that this is translated to real votes on the 25th of February,” he said.
The campaign train later paid a special homage to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who prayed for the success of the candidate in the coming polls.
The Emir acknowledged the sterling qualities of Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq, whom he described as great and humble achievers.
The rally was attended by many dignitaries such as APC candidates and chieftains including Senators Lola Ashiru and Sadiq Umar; House of Representatives members Tunji Raheem Olawuyi (Ajuloopin) and Mohammed Omar Bio; the APC senatorial candidate for Kwara Central, Turaki Saliu Mustapha; Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN; Mallam Isa Lanre Onilu; Hajia Faridah Dankaka; Yahya Seriki; and Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
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