Kunle Adelabu & Kenneth Odede
The Alajede palace venue of the campaign flag – off of the Ikorodu Divisional All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday, came alive as a massive crowd stormed Ijede Local Council Development Area LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, to demonstrate their support for the party and its candidates.
The rally, which was also the official flag – off of campaign for the APC Ikorodu Constituency II Assembly candidate, Mr Aro Moshood Abiodun, had the presence of various political groups which members wore colourful t-shirts and caps.
Thousands of APC members all over the division filled up every available space at the palace and also spread to the main road which prevented free – flow of vehicular and human movement.
Traders also made brisk business with the huge crowd patronizing them for drinks, snacks and foods. So also were those selling souvenirs.
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Chairman APC Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2023 campaign, expressed his happiness at the massive crowd.
He said that the Divisional leadership of the party allowed the party leaders in Ijede to pick their choice in alignment with the rotational principles that exists in Ikorodu Constituency II.
The LOC Chairman charged AMA to brace up to the challenges ahead.
“I am happy that all of us are here to show our solidarity for the candidate of the party”, he said.
“I am sure that the people of Ijede have seen some qualities in him and that is why they chose him. It is those qualities we expect him to take to the State Assembly because he is taking over from someone who has proven himself; a chartered accountant who is today the Chairman of Public Account Committee. He hold that position today because of his qualities and qualifications and those are the shoes that AMA is going to step into.So, we expect him to go there and prove himself”, Asipa Kaoli charged.
Former Deputy Governor, Lagos State and chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, speaking at the rally, commended the LOC led by Asipa Kaoli for the massive turnout.
“When I got here and saw the crowd, I knew the job is done already”, Prince Ogunleye said.
“I am so happy today because we called you and you all came, and I also want to commend all our Council chairmen here because they have also contributed to the success of the programme”.
He charged the large crowd to vote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential candidate, Sen. Shettima Mustapha his Vice Presidential candidate, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru and Rep. Babajimi Benson for the Senate and House of Representatives in the February 25 poll.
Prince Ogunleye, in the same vein, called for support for Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat as Governor and Deputy Governorship candidates, Gbolahan Ogunleye and Aro Moshood Abiodun for Ikorodu Constituency I and II respectively in the March 11 elections.
Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District who seeking re – election, charged party members and residents of Ijede to ensure maximum voting because of the APC Presidential candidate.
“We have been winning since 1999 and we are still going to win, but we must increase our votes and the reason is because our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the ballot. We have 7 million votes in Lagos; 1.45 million in Lagos East and in 389, 000 in Ikorodu. So, we have to make sure that Asiwaju must have 300, 000 votes from Ikorodu”, he said.
“While voting, please, don’t forget me and my brother that is standing here, JB (Babajimi Benson), you will also vote for us. We will also vote for our governor and not forgetting our brothers, AMA and Gbolahan”, he pleaded.
The Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, in his own address, expressed confidence that APC will win virtually all the states of the federation for Tinubu.
“See AMA, the candidate in Ikorodu Constituency II and smile and I want you all to say that it is done already. Do you know what is done already, it is Asiwaju for President”, he said.
“Go and put your mind at rest because we are going to win. All the states; from Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Bornu, Yobe and the likes, are for Jagaban. Meanwhile, Lagos East is for Tokunbo Abiru, Ikorodu federal constituency is for me, Jimi Benson, while Constituency II is for AMA and Constituency I for Gboalahan. See AMA and smile.
“Do you know why AMA is going to perform, it’s because ijede has the biggest power plant in the country and AMA will fight for you and you will have constant light.
“When I called AMA and asked him what he want to go and do in the Assembly, he said that he wants to go there and fight for his constituency, and he will fight for you and you will all smile”, Rep. Benson.
Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), the APC Ikorodu Constituency II candidate, was full of thanks to the party leaders and members for the support and massive turnout.
He charged members and residents to go to their various wards to collect their PVCs to be able to vote Asiwaju Tinubu and other APC candidates, including himself.
At the rally were APC leaders and executives across the division and members of different caucuses and groups among which were #Doing Good team of Senator Abiru, iCare Foundation, Onward Movement, OGA Campaign group, Bibire Group, Lekan Aroyewun Project (LeAP), BOSYOPS among others.
