Shekarau To Lead Rally On Violence-Free Elections In Lagos

ANPP presidential candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, is holding a rally on Violence-Free Elections  in Lagos State today.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally organised by the Congress of Political Leaders (CPL) would be attended by leaders of political parties, civil society groups, private sector participants, students and journalists.

Addressing a pre-rally press conference, Mr Austin Nnorom, the spokesman for CPL, said that the rally was organised to ensure that subsequent elections in the country were violence-free.

“We call on all well meaning Nigerians to come out and be part of this great rally aimed at ensuring that violence do not mar the nation’s democracy” Nnorom said.

He said personalities like Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr Femi Falana and Dr Federick Fasheun were expected at the rally billed to kick off with a walk from the national stadium to Yaba, Lagos State.

Also, the National General Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Mr Lanre Adesope, said that there was need for every Nigerian to ensure that subsequent elections were violence-free.

Adesope advised Nigerians, especially the youth, not to allow themselves to be used by unscrupulous politicians.

“If we allow the spate of violence nationwide to go unchecked, it would get to a point where Nigeria will become like other countries associated with bombings and reckless taking of human lives” he said.

The OPC scribe said that his group would do everything possible within its powers to ensure that subsequent elections were peaceful.

In his remarks, the South West Coordinator of the Ibrahim Skekarau Campaign Organisation, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, decried the political killings that heralded the general elections nationwide.

Ekungba said “the bomb blasts on the eve of the National Assembly elections were one too many.”

He said that the rally was very unique in its entirety as it was aimed at mass change and peaceful elections.

“The ANPP presidential candidate has confirmed that he would be there and I urge all Nigerians to be part of this rejection of acts capable of undermining our unity as a nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, about 100,000 people are expected to join leaders of a new political action committee, Nigerians4Change, Ndi Igbo Lagos, Aka Ikenga and other socio-cultural and political organisations in Nigeria to mobilize millions of Nigerians to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the16 April presidential election.

Convener of Nigerians4 Change, Prince Emeka Obasi, in a press statement issued in Lagos today, said thousands of Nigerians will be at the rally in Lagos.

The groups , according to Prince Obasi, will use the rally to urge Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the situation of things in the country and who want the country to change, to stand up and give Jonathan/ Sambo the authority to change Nigeria by voting for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the Saturday’s presidential election.

“Across Nigeria, there is a loud clamour for change. Many Nigerians are tired of incompetent and inept leaders, who are unable to dream great dreams for Nigeria. They are tired of mediocrity, selfishness and corruption. They want a leader who can draw up a new road map for Nigeria’s renewed march to greatness. They need a leader who can launch a renaissance and lead Nigeria away from backwardness to true greatness. Jonathan’s passion, energy and effective leadership make him the right person to keep the job going. He is a candidate for change. He is set to change the order of business in Nigeria and usher in a new era, ” Obasi said.

A large array of local and national leaders, the statement added, would be present at the rally expected to kick off from Abayomi Owodiora Hall, 36 Cardoso Street, Off Apapa Oshodi Expressway, Ajegunle from 10:00am tomorrow.

“The rally will also feature singing from prominent musicians in Nigeria as well as performances by traditional groups,” Obasi said.