Campaign Concert: Banky W, Weird MC Storm Alausa

Top Nigerian musicians including Banky W, Weird MC, Sound Sultan and Mo’Cheddar, among others, yesterday stormed the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria, in preparation for a concert in support of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s re-election bid.

Speaking on behalf of the artistes, Banky W said the concert, tagged My City Rocks, scheduled for Saturday, 12, March, 2011 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, is aimed at drumming support for Fashola, having flagged off campaign for his for re-election in April.

He praised the governor for the good work he is doing in Lagos, while restating that his colleagues are putting up the non fee paying show to support the Fashola’s  aspiration.

He also said that all the artistes on the bill including 2face Idibia, P-Square, 9ice, Whiz Kid, Sound Sultan, DJ Zeez, Saheed Osupa and others are performing for free.

He, however, drew the attention of the governor to an attempt by the Federal Government to stop them from using the venue, saying that it will not stop them from supporting the governor.

“This is our state, we will do everything possible to support him,” he declared.

Receiving the musicians, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola thanked them for their support, assuring them that no one will stand in their way as young people to express themselves.

“As a government, we respect the rights of the citizens to associate and to express their will freely because they are guaranteed and protected in our constitution.

“Each time the rights of citizens are threatened or violated, our government has always demonstrated the capacity to lead from the front to protect the citizens especially the young.

“That is why we have an institution like the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) which has been taking up cases of people who have their rights trampled upon, just like that of Miss Okeke, who was brutalised by some men in uniform. The case was taken up for her by OPD,” explained the governor, who promised to support the entertainment industry by assisting in reducing piracy to the barest minimum as well as establish a microfinance institution that will grant soft loans to up coming musicians.

According to Fashola, this democracy is not about he as a person but about generation of younger people coming after him because in some distant locations, people who are younger than him are already leading nations.

“This represents a torch passing moment. This is a time we want to get involved, take responsibility for our future and those of us who are older than you to provide inspiration to let you do what is rights and proper,” he added.

Other artistes that visited the governor were comedians Tea and Seyi Law, Sahhed Osupa, Funke Anikulapo-Kuti and others.

—Ayodele Lawal