2023: Ndigbo in Lagos APC endorse Tinubu , Sanwo-Olu in Ikeja carnival-like rally

Ahead of February 25 and March 11 elections in the country, Ndigbo in Lagos State All Progressives Congress (Ndigbo in APC)  have formerly  endorse the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as well as other APC candidates for  forthcoming polls in the state.

They  stormed Ikeja, in their large numbers , on Saturday  to  pledge their unflinching  solidarity and supports  for Tinubu  and Sanwo-Olu political projects , urging members of the party and  all Ndigbo  in Lagos and other parts of the country to join hands to  ensure that  the former Lagos State Governor emerges victorious  in  the coming Saturday’s election.

The crowd, comprising APC members of Igbo extraction , converged on the party’s campaign office on Oduduwa  Crescent , Ikeja, Lagos,  chanting solidarity songs and praises for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu in a carnival like event. The group is made up of Ndigbo from the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.

During the meeting which turned Oduduwa Crescent into a beehive of activities , speaker after speakers poured encomium on Tinubu , describing him as the man God has positioned to return Nigeria to the part of economic stability and sustainable growth as well as peace, aside from the fact that he is detribalised leader.

They said their reason for endorsing Tinubu stem from his tenacity and knack  for addressing challenges  pertaining governance as was exemplified during his eight years as Governor of Lagos  State stands him out , adding that this he will re-enact if he is given the mandate to rule Nigeria as president.

 Lagos State was in shamble before  but all that changed for the better as soon as Tinubu became governor. He revamped the dying special security unit, empowered the unit with all they needed adequately  and in no time, night life was back in Lagos and businesses started thriving even more.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to Lagos State governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe,who is the leader of Ndigbo in APC said “APC is  our  party and  our  loyalty and commitment are to the party.”

 “APC is our party. We have taken the decision that APC is our party. I will remain in the party, adding that  “Tinubu is the best man to rule Nigerian come 2023.”

Igbokwe said that anyone who had governed Lagos state would effortlessly govern Nigeria.

“Lagos is a 24 hour state and so anybody who has been governor in the state will not find it difficult to rule Nigeria.”

He challenged other Presidential candidates to show their achievements to Nigerians if truly they deserve to be president of Nigeria.

Igbokwe also said that Ndigbo in Lagos state needed to protect their massive investments in the state as they have so much to gain by supporting Tinubu.

He  lauded Tinubu for the support he had given to Ndigbo in Lagos State and urged Igbos in the state to not only support Tinubu but to support all APC candidates in the state, including the governor, Sanwo-Olu. Igbokwe, pledged that the APC would not fail the  Igbos.

Other who spoke at the event  said that Tinubu remained  the most experienced of the presidential candidates, adding  that Igbos in Lagos State remained part of the party in leadership because they earned  their living in the state and as such, must protect it.

Tinubu’s foray into  politics  dates  back to the days of M.K.O Abiola and he played a principal role in the campaign team of the business tycoon.

 It is logged in history, how Tinubu was so invested in the M.K.O Abiola’s dream to become the country’s first democratic president, and consequently, have democracy returned to the land.

In executing this, he was unstinting in unleashing mental and financial resources into the movement. And not only was he seen in the prior election days, pushing for the emergence of M.K.O, when the election was annulled by General Ibrahim Babaginda, he was among the very few who spurred the course to see to it that mandate be returned to Abiola, dauntless to get crossed with the military government to ensure that Nigerians get whom they chose at the polls.

He was one of the founding members of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition that mobilized support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of M.K.O as the winner of the June 12 election.

However, June 12 struggles forced him into exile in 1994, when General Sanni Abacha took over power as the military head of state. He, however, returned to the country in 1998 after the death of Abacha.

And as characteristic of him, and his propensity for public service, he contested for the 1999 gubernatorial election in Lagos state and won. He served as governor for two terms and was responsible for a number of projects that transformed and systematised Lagos State for a sustainable growth pattern.