Tinubu: We’ve done our homework well, vote and leave the rest

 

   .Insists Buhari is a man of his word on hand over date

 

IBRAHIM QUADRI

 

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday said president Muhammadu Buhari has kept his word in his readiness to handover power come May 29.

 

Tinubu also urged Nigerians to come out en masse and vote for him, saying by doing their part, the rest should be left for him in his emergence as the next president.

 

Tinubu gave the remarks during Yoruba South West Leaders of Thought Summit at Eko Hotel, Lagos, where royal fathers, political leaders and many others waited for hours to receive him.

 

Thousands had waited endlessly for his arrival. He eventually arrived from Abuja and also hinted he would be going back and also came back for Tuesday’s finale rally at Teslim Balogun, Surulere.

 

Tinubu said, “My lateness is not to disregard you. I thank you all for your patience. Nigeria shall progress and we shall not suffer.

 

“It is time for you to vote, keep your PVC and take it along with you on Saturday and vote whether there is heat or rain, adding I am highly impressed, there is no State in Yoruba land that I have not seen here today. All I have to say is to thank God, I say ‘Aliahmudulillah.’

 

“The only day you have your constitutional role to play with your card is on election day, it will be a curse not to use it that day. So use it so that you don’t complain later. You have been given the opportunity, don’t misuse it. Go out with all your household to vote.

 

“We thank God Buhari has not changed, he has kept his word. He promised he will handover. He is not like those who completed their tenure but still want to add more. We thank God that he promised to handover.”

 

He added, “We have done our homework. Be rest assured we shall be victorious. We have covered all the 36 states to seek for votes. However, today is exceptional. So when you vote, leave the rest.”

 

Meanwhile, the Yoruba nation has endorsed the Asiwaju Tinubu as the candidate for the Saturday presidential election.

 

Also over 1,000 Muslim leaders in Lagos State also endorsed Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria.

 

Speaking on their behalf, President of Muslim Community in the State, Prof T.G.O. Gbadamosi said, “We want you to to be a transformational leader as you did in Lagos. Come and translate what you have done in Lagis in Nigeria as a whole.”

 

The motion by the South West leaders was moved by the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and seconded by a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Samson Olatokunbo which was received by a thunderous aye by all attendees.

 

In his opening remarks, the Chief host, Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said, “We feel humble that you have come here in large number for the endorsement of our leader, man that is completely detribalized and a nationalist that demonstrates what Yoruba called, ‘omoluabi pataki.’

 

“All of us in this room have had interaction with him. We believe the conversation in this country transcends religion or tribe. It is about charting a new course in this difficult time we found ourselves.

 

“Many of us have been under his tutelage, so that we have to use our influence and tell our children and siblings that this is a man that can turn around the fortunes of this country.

 

“Go out from here to sell his candidacy. It is just by coincidence that he is a Yoruba man. He is a man we all need to rallying round,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

 

In his comments, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi explained that Nigerian democracy requires bringing together every ethnic and religious nationalities, saying “these are sensitive issues that must not be toyed with.

 

“All the Yoruba Obas have spoken with one voice that Tinubu will be the next President of Nigeria. Afenifere cannot speak for Yorubas. All members of Afenifere are under the Obas. Whoever in Afenifere that supports our stand, we accept him, whoever that opposes our resolve, he is not bigger than the Obas- he/she is under our control.”

 

Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba disclosed that, “The journey started in 2007 at the Golden Gate, Chinese restaurant that was after the terms of Asiwaju as the governor of Lagos. Everybody that spoke agreed that Asiwaju should move up to the national level. This was 16 years ago.

 

“Now we have chosen him and send him message and he has been strategizing and he has been doing well. So, it is time we all come together and support him.”

 

He noted, “We have always been grateful to Lagos. Lagos has been making people progress; Lagos is liberal to us that come from different parts of the country. I can say it boldly that whoever that makes it in the country would have a recourse to Lagos. So it’s pay back time.”

 

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu said, “There seems to be four stages leading to this assemblage- preparation, consultation, declaration, endorsement and election.

 

“This is a historic and called for reflection for us to act well because we have excellent product to sell. Yoruba should not be afraid.”