Live Updates: I Will Work Hard for Nigeria as Buhari Did For Me, Tinubu Declares at Grand Finale Lagos Rally
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), held its last campaign rally at Teslim Balogun Stadium (TBS) in Lagos state on Tuesday, February 21, for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Since he won the APC's presidential ticket in 2022, this was the second time Tinubu staged a rally in the state where he served as a governor for two terms.
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President Muhammadu Buhari also led all governors of the ruling party and its dignitaries to TBS ahead of the Saturday, February 25, all-important presidential election.
Some political observers feel that this rally is important to Tinubu because he has to outdo his biggest rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi, the Labour Party's standard bearer, both of who have carried out their rallies in Tinubu's Lagos.
I will work hard for Nigeria as Buhari did for me, Tinubu declares at grand finale Lagos rally
It was a homecoming of sorts for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday at the party's campaign grand finale rally in Lagos.
President Muhammadu Buhari who was physically present at the rally lifted up Asíwájú Tinubu's hand, again proclaiming him the next president of the country God willing.
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The rally was attended by an unprecedented crowd who had besieged the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere venue of the rally from as early as 8 am, while another large number lined the streets from the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja where President Buhari's and Asíwájú's planes landed till they arrived in Surulere in a long convoy of vehicles.
Addressing the rally, Asíwájú facing the president said: "As you worked hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria. All the plans set out in our Action Plan for Renewed Hope for Nigerians will be pursued rigorously."
At every turn, he thanked President Buhari for standing firm for democracy, accountability, transparency and fairness.
He said:
"The president asked all of us interested to go and contest the primaries of our party. After I was picked overwhelmingly by the delegates, he didn't ask them to change the results because of my tribe or religion or because I'm not from Daura like him, he accepted me and celebrated with me, telling me 'you are almost there now'."
Asíwájú also said when it was time for the choice of a running mate, the president turned down his offer to choose for him, telling him "you know better, you are very experienced and you know the kind of person who will assist you to run the country, so pick that person'.
Tinubu added:
"Thank you Mr. President, you gave me the courage, the confidence and the will to pick right. The APC candidate said he chose as his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima who he described as a most knowledgeable and independent-minded person.
He said Shettima had shown determination and grit to perform and be different, describing him as a dependable, reliable and courageous man.
Asíwájú Tinubu promised to do all in his power to continue where Buhari would stop, and consolidate his achievements.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanked the people of the state for turning out in large numbers to receive President Buhari and Asíwájú Tinubu and to also attend the rally.
He said with the massive turnout, they had shown their love for the 'City Boy,' asking them to go further on Saturday, February 25, 2023, to vote Asíwájú for president.
Those who addressed the rally also included APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Director-General of the Tinubu-Shettima Campaign and Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong and the wife of the APC candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Also present at the rally were Senate President Ahmed Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Inuwa (Gombe), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Others included former governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) as well as former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, National Woman Leader, Beta Edu, Youth and Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare and Adamawa APC Governorship Candidate, Hajiya Binani.
Tinubu's wife, Oluremi, campaigns for husband
The wife of Tinubu, Senator Oluremi, has stated that her husband is running for the presidency because he sees a bright future for Nigeria.
She said:
"We are at a very crucial stage after rigorous campaigns. This is the grand finale of the rally. Asiwaju is running because he sees a better Nigeria for the generation yet unborn."
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Tinubu's Lagos rally: Sanwo-Olu thanks Buhari for his attendance
Governor Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday commended Buhari for attending the grand finale of the APC rally in Lagos.
The Lagos governor said:
"I want to appreciate him for giving us Tinubu/Shetrima.
"We want to reiterate that Tinubu is a lover of Lagos and Nigeria.
"Asiwaju, you can see that Lagos is ready for you. We will vote and we will win on Saturday."
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I want to appreciate him for giving us Tinubu/Shetrima
APC govs, NWC, senators arrive TBS for Tinubu's rally
All the APC governors, APC NWC, Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Reps, members of the National Assembly, and former governors are among the dignitaries that grace the event.
Tinubu's Lagos rally: President Bihari arrives TBS
To demonstrate his full support for the presidential ambition of Tinubu, President Buhari has arrived at TBS as a show of solidarity with his political ally.
The chorus of "Jagaban" rented the air as Tinubu and Bihari with other party dignitaries arrived at the venue.
Tinubu arrives TBS with APC governors
Tinubu has arrived at the venue of his campaign rally in the company of APC governors.
Jubilation over Tinubu’s motorcade in Lagos
There was jubilation on Tuesday among Lagosians and APC supporters in the state who followed Tinubu's convoy around TBS and chanted his praise.
See a clip video of supporters jubilating on seeing Tinubu's motorcade:
Tinubu finally arrives TBS for his presuidential campaign rally
After a long wait, the Jagaban himself arrived TBS for the campaign rally.
The former Lagos governor was said to have stormed the venue for the grand event with triumphant processing characterised by his dancing to Yoruba music and instrument players
Tinubu's rally: Zack Orji campaigns for APC's presidential candidate
A popular Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, urges Nigerians to vote for Tinubu on Saturday. He said Tinubu remains the candidate to beat.
He also asked them to vote for the re-election of Babajide Sanwoolu as governor of Lagos state.
Tinubu rally: Drama as Oluremi thrills audience with interesting dance steps at TBS
Tinubu's wife, Oluyemi thrills the audience as she danced to music from popular Fuji musician, Adekunle Alao, aka Malaika.
Tinubu's rally: Lagos APC boss, GAC leader arrive TBS
The chairman of the APC in Lagos, Cornelius Ojelabi, the leader of the Governor Advisory Council (GAC), Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, and other stalwarts of the party have arrived at the venue for Tinubu's campaign rally.
Tinubu's Lagos rally: Buhari's minister arrives TBS
The minister of science and technology, Olorunnimbe Mamora, has arrived at the venue for Tinubu's presidential rally.
Tinubu's wife storms TBS for grand finale rally
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of Tinubu, is said to have arrived at the venue for the campaign rally of her husband.
Oluremi came to TBS alongside the wife of the speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiala.
Tinubu's Lagos rally: Anticipation, anxiety, suspense soar as party members await Buhari's arrival at TBS
Party members and supporters throng the main bowl of the stadium in anticipation of the arrival of President Buhari.
Meanwhile, Nollywood celebrities entertaining APC members and supporters as they patiently await his arrival.
Wale Akinola Wale Akinola is a passionate journalist and researcher. He is the Head of Desk, Politics and Current Arts, Legit.ng. He holds both B. A and Master’s degree in Communications and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. He also holds a Diploma Certificate in Peace Journalism. He has over 15 years of work experience in both print and online media. You can reach him via +2348054137974 or wale.akinola@corp.legit.ng.
Onyirioha Nnamdi Onyirioha Nnamdi is a graduate of Literature and English Language at the University of Lagos. He is a Politics/Current Affairs Editor who writes on news and political topics for Legit.ng. He brings into his reporting a wealth of experience in creative and analytical writing. Nnamdi has a major interest in local and global politics. He has a professional certificate from Reuters and was awarded the editor with the best listicle for 2021. Contact: 08062988054, o.nnamdi@corp.legit.ng
