By Bala Ibrahim

If the personality of a politician has any bearing with public perception, then we can say the people of Lagos have openly demonstrated the appreciation of such power of perception positively, through the display of people in great numbers, to welcome Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, to Lagos 26th November, 2022. The Tinubu/Shetima presidential campaign train was in Lagos today, where, through a mega rally, Tinubu, the former Lagos State governor, was shown that indeed he is on a homecoming trip.

The city of Lagos stood still for hours, as APC supporters tested their statistical strength, through a rally at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. In something reminiscent to a carnival, the stadium came alive with a sea of people, who were dancing and singing, “Jagaban, Jagaban,” amid a water-tight security arrangement.

For Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Lagos rally is expected to be the biggest, and because it stands as a homecoming for him, having served twice as the democratically elected governor of the state, and one that had set the foundation for it’s transformation, no stone was left unturned, to ensure the success of the occasion. This is the first public reception Tinubu is receiving from Lagosians, since he emerged as the winner of the ruling party’s presidential primary election in June this year.

Earlier in the week, because of the magnitude and importance of the campaign, the APC sent a travel advisory to residents, advising motorists to avoid certain areas, including the area around Surulere, where for sure, gridlock is anticipated. And lo and behold, the happen happened, as it is expected to happen.

The rally was organized with dual ambition, that would boost the presidential campaign, and at the same time kick-start the governorship campaign in the state. Virtually all members and chieftains of the APC, including the national chairman of the party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Turakin Keffi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, virtually all the APC Governors, Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammad, former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. ibjioke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the deputy governor, Remi Hamzat, former deputy Governor, Lagos State and Lagos West Senatorial candidate, Idiat Adebule, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Eshilokun, and Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, were physically present at the stadium.

The chairman, local organizing committee of the APC Presidential campaign council, Ganiyu Solomon, had announced that the rally would be massively attended by members of APC and the general public, because of the popularity of Tinubu, saying Tinubu has remained the most consistent and biggest contributor to democracy, and a visible democratic icon since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“You may wish to recall that Asiwaju Tinubu excelled as a Senator of the Federal Republic representing Lagos West Senatorial District, and as the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. Therefore, the event is like a homecoming for our leader and mentor, who has become a national icon”-Solomon.

When called upon to introduce the presidential candidate of the party, the national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Turakin Keffi, started by testing the fluidity of his Yoruba language, thus, “Omo Eko!, Eshe gonee!, Eshe!”. After shouting the APC slogan, to the ear-splitting response of the crowd, the chairman continued, “What there is to say has been said by those who spoke before me. I respect their views and I believe you’ve heard them laud and clear. We have come today to witness this rally. You, our brothers and sisters from Lagos state have spoken. You have spoken very clearly and loudly. You have turned out in mass to welcome us, to attend this rally and to lend support to the candidate that our great party has put forward to Nigerians. I am appealing to you, that it is not over, it is not done, until it is over. We have election for Mr. President on the 23rd of February 2023. The party, APC, has chosen who the candidate should be. And as far as we are concerned, from what we have heard from Nigerians, from the rallies we have attended, Nigerians have spoken, and are still speaking. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the President in waiting. He is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”- Sen. Andullahi Adamu.

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After his introduction by the national chairman, and impressed by his supporters’ show of statistical strength, Tinubu started his speech with a song, sending a warning signal to his opponents, viz:

“I am indeed grateful to God for giving us today. This is a broom revolution. I don’t think anything is missing here today. We are going to continue progressive government in 2023. Atiku has been running since 1999 and came to Nigerians who gave him a chance in 2007. I want you to teach him a moral lesson at the poll with your votes The PDP was in government for 16 years, they gave you estimated bills, they did not remember Badadry road, East-West road among others. They are ingrates”.-Asiwaju Tinubu.

This show of statistical strength by Lagos is not surprising, because this is the first time Lagos State is presenting a presidential candidate, who over time, has become a household name, not only in Lagos State, but in the politics of Nigeria as a whole. In 1993, Chief MKO Abiola contested for the presidency under a similar arrangement of Muslim/Muslim ticket, but chief Abiola was from Ogun and not Lagos state.

Yes, the Lagos show of statistical strength for Asiwaju, couldn’t have been more strident.