26th November, 2022
Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria is set to host Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC for a rally that some chieftains of the party has described as mother of all rallies this Saturday.
The rally will be an homecoming for Tinubu, the first civilian governor of Lagos in the fourth republic who has been busy selling his candidacy across the country in the past few days since he kicked off the campaign in Jos, the capital of Plateau State about three weeks ago.
The APC presidential candidate was in Ebonyi where he commissioned some projects of Governor Dave Umahi after which he was hosted to a grand rally attended by thousands of excited party faithfuls early in the week.
“Eyeilaowei” of Gbaramatu Kingdom
On Friday, Tinubu visited Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government area of Delta in continuation of his campaign for 2023 election.
The former Governor of Lagos State and his entourage were hosted by the King of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro Gbaraun II (Aketekpe Agadagba) Pere of Gbaramatu.
Tinubu and some members of his entourage were conferred with chieftaincy titles by the King of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Tinubu was conferred with the title of “Eyeilaowei” of Gbaramatu Kingdom, meaning “man of high esteem” while Omo-Agege was conferred with the “Ebeikiowei” of Gbaramatu Kingdom, meaning one who remembers the kingdom.
Today’s APC rally in Lagos is preparatory to the kickoff of the presidential and governorship campaign in the state.
Preparations are in top gear for the rally as members and chieftains of APC, including Speaker of House of Representatives were busy ensuring that the Teslim Balogun venue of the event was ready late into early hours of today.
PM NEWS learnt that Gbajabiamila, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu among others inspected Teslim Balogun Stadium early Saturday morning.
On his Facebook page, Speaker Gbajabiamila also confirmed that he inspected facilities at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere ahead of the Lagos APC Presidential Campaign happening later today.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has put in place necessary arrangements for the success of the epoch making Presidential Campaign,” he said.
Homecoming For Leader And Mentor
The APC Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) in Lagos State had at a press conference last Wednesday said arrangements had been concluded for “an epoch making carnival- like” rally.
Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, the PCC Director General in Lagos state and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of APC Presidential Rally said the APC presidential rally had been scheduled to hold on Saturday from 11.00a.m. to 2.00pm, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
“The event holds a promise for mass attendance by members of our great party and the general public because of the popularity of our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Tinubu has remained the most consistent, biggest contributor and the most visible democratic icon since the advent of this dispensation in 1999.
“You may wish to recall that he excelled as a senator of the Federal Republic representing Lagos – West Senatorial District, and as the governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007.
“Therefore, the event is like a homecoming for our leader and mentor who has become a national pride.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to invite all our party leaders and members to this epoch making and carnival – like event as it gives an opportunity for our presidential candidate to address the people on his manifesto aptly tagged: ‘RENEWED HOPE’.
According to him, as a responsible political party, it is imperative to seek the cooperation of members of the general public as regards the need for temporary diversion of traffic and mass movement of supporters within the vicinity of the rally.
He urged all participants to be of good and peaceful conduct, assuring that, “the Nigerian Police Force, LASTMA and other law enforcement agencies will be fully mobilised to ensure an event devoid of the security infractions and traffic disruptions.”
On the anticipated number of supporters at the rally, Solomon said the committee was expecting a “full house” of supporters, hence the plan not to leave any stones unturned to make sure the exercise was hitch-free.
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC Chairman in Lagos state, said that a mammoth crowd of Tinubu’s supporters and party members would attend the rally without being coerced, saying residents would show their love for Tinubu.
Ojelabi said adequate arrangements had been made for a peaceful and successful rally.
The National Youth Leader of APC, Mr Dayo Israel said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), party officials, support groups and members were all excited to come to Lagos state for the rally.
“We are all turning up for Asiwaju. We can show to the whole world that Lagos is for Asiwaju. Lagos is going to set the pace for all other states to follow,” Israel said.
Traffic Diversion
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion for the rally.
Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, in a statement advised residents of the state to plan their movement around Teslim Balogun Stadium, Funsho Williams Avenue and Alhaji Masha areas in Surulere.
He said human and vehicular movement around the affected areas would be regulated as there would be series of traffic diversions for safety and security management purposes.
According to the Commissioner, traffic on Funsho Williams/Western Avenue inward Lagos Island would be diverted to the express lanes at Barracks bus stop for people going to Costain, Apapa, Ijora , Victoria Island, Lagos Island.
The Commissioner said that people going to New Lagos, Surulere would pass through Olumegbon.
He explained further that traffic on Funsho Williams/Western Avenue inward Surulere, Ojuelegba would be diverted to the express lanes, Stadium Bridge at Alaka bus stop for people going to Mushin, Palmgrove, Ikeja, Ojota, Ikorodu areas.
Oladeinde said that motorists going to Surulere , New Lagos would pass through Bode Thomas and Eric Moore at Iponri Estate.
He added that vehicular movement on Alhaji Masha road to Akerele, Shitta junction and Funsho Williams from Olumegbon junction to Alaka would be totally restricted for safety, as only human traffic would be allowed.
Oladeinde said that vehicles conveying party members and others with accredited stickers for the rally would be provided free parking with access at the National Stadium only via Alaka.
“Motorists from Ojuelegba, Mushin, Palmgrove on Funsho Williams will access the National Stadium via U turn at Alaka.
“Also those from Surulere will access the Stadium via Adeniran Ogunsanya ,Bode Thomas, Ogunlana Drive, Alaji Masha to connect Alaka inward the National Stadium.
“Directional signs, tow vehicles, barricades will be made available, the Traffic Management Personnel will be on standby to provide assistance and guide motorists/pedestrians during the rallies.
“Only accredited vehicles, security, emergency and essential services vehicles will be provided privileged access at the diversion points,” he said.
The Transport Commissioner commended Lagos residents for their patience and understanding.
He solicited for residents’ cooperation with all the law enforcement officials assigned to carry out their respective tasks.