Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday trooped out in their numbers at Osogbo, Osun State capital for a road walk to canvas for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha.
The road walk led by the state executive committee of the party and chieftains of the party including the governorship candidate of the party at the last governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Hon. Olalekan Badmus, Engr. Remi Omowaye, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji among numerous others kicked off at Ayetoro junction to Old garage and terminated at the party secretariat in Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo.
Speaking at the party secretariat, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) said, the essence of the road walk was to sensitise the people of Osun and prepare them to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the coming election.
“You can see the crowd. This is a show of strength. It is fantastic and massive. This is to tell the whole of Nigeria that Osun is ready, and re-electing our President is non-negotiable.
“We are actually targeting 2 million votes, and I can tell you that it is achievable. Can’t you see the crowd? This is organic. This is not an imported crowd.
“Yes, this is just an APC organisation. We have a good relationship with the Accord. Of course, they are welcome anytime, any day. They are welcome, and we are going to work together”.
Also speaking, the Osun East Senatorial candidate of the party Senator Francis Fadahunsi said: “You know APC does not rent crowds or import people. Whatever you see here is organic. This organic support can translate into more than two million votes. We have 2.3 million votes. What are we doing with them?
“We will use them to vote for our own. This place will produce more than you expect. By the grace of God, do not be afraid. We will produce the President, and what we expect here is more than you are anticipating.
“Everybody will vote for our own Tinubu. I have never seen a Yoruba man or woman who would not vote for their own. This is our opportunity, and we must grab it. We must seize it and make use of it. By the time we hear about the presidency again, it may take another 10 to 15 years. This is an opportunity, an open window for all of us, the Yoruba people, to think twice and vote for our own son.
“If you do not blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you. We do not even need to canvass votes here. Any party that wants to enjoy good luck and attract support in this region must vote for Tinubu and all APC candidates”. Fadahunsi posited.
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They noted that the massive turnout of people for the exercise is an indication that the people of Osun State are solidly behind the re-election of President Bola Tinubu who they know to be their own.
“In fact, I was surprised when I read that he was 85 years old because you would not know he was up to that age. He was very humble and easy-going,” Wike said.
He recalled his longstanding relationship with the late monarch, including their political association during his bid for the chairmanship of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Wike also disclosed that he had spoken with Chinda while he was ill and had remained hopeful of his recovery until he received news of his death.
Explaining the reason for the N100 million donation, the minister said it was partly to fulfil the late monarch’s wish to participate in the church’s annual harvest thanksgiving and ensure that his group emerged first.
“On behalf of all of us, our friends, and associates who came here today, and in fulfilment of the harvest the traditional ruler could not participate in so that his group would take first and make him happy, we will support the church with N100 million,” he announced.
Wike also expressed satisfaction with the growth of the parish, observing that the church had expanded to more than 20 times the capacity he remembered during his last visit over two decades ago.
Earlier in his sermon, titled “Life is Short Compared to Eternity”, the Supervisor and Vicar of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Rev. Canon Gideon Genka, urged Christians to live with eternity in view, reminding the congregation that earthly life was temporary, regardless of how long an individual lived.
Genka commended Wike for his peace-building efforts in Rivers State and his concern for people working with him, describing the minister as a good leader who looked out for his followers.
He described the late Chinda as a distinguished traditional ruler, committed servant of God and advocate of peace, whose humility, wisdom and dedication to the development of Rumuokwuta and humanity would remain part of his enduring legacy.
The funeral service attracted family members, traditional rulers, clergy, political associates and other dignitaries, who gathered at the parish to pay their last respects to the late monarch.
