He began his speech by making a reference to dagunro leaf, which his Yoruba people always avoid because it is poisonous. He said it is a wide departure from tete, lovely vegetables and house wives’ delight.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s mouth was ajar as he remembered the favourite song of his illustrious mother, the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the rendition that was echoed by the fuji musician, Chief Ayinde Wasiu: daguro o see je, dagunro o see je. Ije ti e je tete, e ma je dagunro, dagunro o see je ( Don’t eat daguro. Dont eat dagunro. The way you eat tete, you can’t eat dagunro. Don’t eat dagunro).

Why Tinubu spoke in proverb was not clear. But, discerning crowd nodded affirmatively at the warning and admonition to potential evil doers.

But, that was not the highpoint of the rally organised by Lagos State Governor Babaijde Sanwo-Olu and Lagos chapter of the party.

It was a “campaign of inclusion for inclusion.” Tinubu emphasised that he will set up a government of inclusion, if elected. This is necessary in a party that is currently divided.

The baseline is forging unity in the party, which President Muhammadu Buhari and the candidate have done, thereby eliciting the trust of Nigerians that oneness is possible.

Many APC members believe the candidate of the main opposition party cannot make the promise, having failed to first of all unite his party.

The unity in APC is underscored by the confidence exuded by Tinubu, who said none of the 23 APC governors will desert him. He said they are partners in the proposed government of inclusion.

The eminent politician also said he and the ruling party will continue to promise a progressive government  where Nigerians will savour the benefits of education, health, social welfare and employment opportunities. “Nobody will be forgotten,” he assured.

What Tinubu has envisaged was total victory. Excited at the formidable structures backing his bid, he added: “We will not lose any of the 22 states. We will run the government together.”

Evidently, the governors are working assiduously to win their states for the ruling party. They are also spearheading reconciliation to resolve outstanding local issues triggered by the primaries.

Northern APC Governors are not relenting. Having supported the move for power shift, they have contributed to the push for equity, fairness and justice in the party.

Tinubu urged the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Cards,(PVCs) to retire his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from politics next year.

Indeed, many believe that Atiku should not have contested, knowing that President Buhari, a Northerner is completing his two terms of eight years in 2023.

Accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Campaign Director-General Simon Lalong, other members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and party leaders, the APC candidate said the former vice president cannot be trusted.

At the rally held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who said the rally was organised to energise Tinubu’s base, enjoined party members to convince more undecided voters to endorse Tinubu at the poll.

The Speaker understood that many are seized by voting fatigue. Others need enlightenment about the capacity of the candidates. Many more need to move from aloofness to participation by voting.

The chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said there is no ticket that can match the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, adding that Tinubu will reenact his Lagos feats, if elected as president. He said the wisdom that permitted Tinubu to resolve insecurity in Lagos has not deserted him. If he becomes president, Bagudu, fondly called “The only Atiku that can be trusted,” said Tinubu will tavkld banditry and insurgency.

Adamu stood bdhing the standard bearer like the wall of Gilberata. Presentingthe party flag him, he urged members of the party and other supporters to stand firm to the end. The chairman peeped at 2023 with optimism.

He said: “It is not over until it is over. It is not done until it is done. Nigerians have spoken and they are speaking. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the president-in-waiting. He is the president of Nigeria.”

The host governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who welcomed the party leaders to the Centre of Excellence, described Tinubu as the best man for the job. He expressed delight at the attendance as he took a bloc roll call, mentioning all local governments and party faithful from those councils chorusing: “We are here.”

As from sunrise, the stadium was filled to the brim by party faithful and supporters, who were singing and dancing.

An electoral economy was generated around the stadium. It became a temporary market where people sold soverniers, foods and water.

It was a successful rally. Party members and supporters were orderly. There was no case of unruly behaviour. Security agents had little to do. But, traffic officers were busy.

Party members, who came from the pre-existing 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas, were joined by various women and youth groups, religious leaders, artisans and peasants, artists, representatives of people with disabilities. The supporters outside were more than those in the main bowl of the stadium.

Also, supporters of the three senatorial candidates-Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos) Wasiu Eshinlokun Sannni (Central) and Dr. Oluranti Adebule- and followers of other parliamentary flagbeaers, decked in t-shirts of various colours swarmed the venue.

The scene became more electrifying, following the arrival of Tinubu around 12.50pm, who rode in with Speaker Gbajabiamila and Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola.

Other governors at the rally included Nosiru El(Kaduna), Bello Masari (Katsina), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), AbdulRaham AbdulRasaq (Kwara), and  Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).

Also at the rally were Aremo Olusegun Osoba, APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore, Shettima’s wife, Nana Fatimah, National Vice Chairman (West) Isaacs Kekemeke,  Generals Buratai and Olonisakin, former Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Minister of Science and Technology Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora,  Mr. Jack Rich, Paul Obayagbon, wife of Lagos State Governor Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu,  Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, his wife, Oluremi, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius, National Campaign Secretary James Faleke,  Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Lagos APC Campaign Director Senator Ganiyu Solomon, and Chairperson of Nigerian Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was master of ceremony.

Tinubu, who spoke in English and Yoruba, amid several interference by the fuji musician, Chief Wasiu Ayinde, spoke on the ambition of his major challenger, Atiku. It was the first time he will really  comment on the Waziri Adamawa, who he had campaigned for in 2007.

He said: “I know one man, one selfish man. He has been running since 1999. He ran in PDP. He ran in ACN. He ran in APC; an ingrate. He said he is articulated. There are many articulated vehicles in Apapa.

“Use your votes to retire him. Use your PVCs to retire him this time around. Don’t listen to him. I saw his pamphlet this morning. He said he wanted to end poverty in Nigeria. They were there in 16 years. They didn’t remember Lagos/Badagry Road, East/West Road, Kaduna/Kafancha Road.”

Raising Sanwo-Olu’s hand, Tinubu urged Lagosto vote for him and his deputy, Hamzat, for the progress and stability of Lagos.

Gbajabiamila, who is seeking re-election in Surulere Constituency, said although those at the rally were already “Batified,” they should target in their mobilisation for votes the “undecided voters or swing voters.”

He also took upon himself to answer what he described as “frequently asked questions about Asiwaju.”

The Speaker said:”If they ask: who is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu? Tell them that Tinuis the greatest politician in modern day Nigeria.

“If they asked: how old is he? Tell them, he is the age his mother says he is. If they doubt it, they should go and meet his mother for reconfirmation.

“If they ask about his education, tell them he is more educated than all the candidates put together.

“If they say he is wanted in America, tell them that America has said they don’t know what they are talking about.

“If they say is is corrupt, tell them hd is the most investigated person and nothing has been been found against him.”

Lauding Tinubu’s penchant for talent hunt, Gbajabiamila said: “Tinubu has helped men and women, who in turn, have developed Nigeria.

To the people of Southeast and Southsouth in Lagos, he saud: “Tinubu has invested in the Southeast and Southsouth. It is your turn to invest in him.”

Bagudu urged Nigerians to vote for Tinubu for the right reasons, assuring that he will tackle national challenges the same way he started the repositioning  of Lagos when he served as governor.

He also said the candidate will foster inclusion at the national level as he did when he was governor of Lagos, a state that has Representatives from a over Nigeria.

Lalong said it is not only human beings that were enthusiastic about Tinubu, even the fish in Lagos ocean were jumping in his celebration.

Peeping into next year, the Plateau governor said:”The election is as good as won. We are working towards February 28.”

To Lalong, Tinubu is the best and most suitable  candidate that will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that, among others, he stands tall.

He said: “He stands tall as a manager of men and resources, who can bring out something from nothing. Lagos has not been the same since he became governor. He brought worthy successsors.  He is a bridge builder and he has network accross the country.

“The experience at the rallies have shown that Nigeria wants Tinubu as President.

“Charity begins at home. I urge the smart people of Lagos to support their own, who has ability, capability to serve, because he has the competence and charisma.”

Lalong added:”Don’t be deceived by candidates who will give you false statistics and fake promises. Don’t buy their lies. President Buhari has asked me to tell you to remain focused and vote for Tinubu/Shettima more than you did for him in 2015 and 2019.”

Sanwo-Olu, who praised Chairman Adamu for his fatherly role during the campaigns, thanked other party leaders for storming Lagos to support Tinubu.

He described the former governor the architect and builder of modern Lagos; a tenacious advocate and champion of unity and cohesion in the country.

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu’s feats are visible in his his professional calling and politics, stressing that many have been privileged to enjoy the benefits of his knowlege and leadership.

He said:”We are here in the spirit of resilience of Lagos, which Asiwaju wants to translate as president of Nigeria.”

The article by EMMANUEL OLADESU was first published in The Nation newspaper on the November 29, 2022