… canvasses votes for Tinubu, all APC candidates
A support group, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Admirers’ Movement (BATAM) Worldwide, on Saturday, appealed to Nigerian youths to shun violence and other forms of vices as the February general elections approach, saying that the frequent occurrence of violence threatens the country’s existence.
BATAM, which is support group for the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, advised the youths not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs by anyone before, during and after the elections.
President of BATAM, Evangelist (Dr) Ibikunle Solana, gave this advice in his speech at the group’s Press Conference/Stakeholders Meeting held at Estanza Royal Hotel, Ajuwon-Akute, Ogun State.
Solana said politics and elections should not be misconstrued by anyone as a do-or-die affair, adding that life would continue even after the elections.
According to him, “BATAM passionately appeal to Nigerians, particularly the youths to shun violence and all forms of vices before, during and after the elections. They should not allow themselves to be used as political thugs for whatever reason.
“Politics and elections should not be seen as do-or-die affairs. The various violent attacks across the country are scary, vicious and condemnable. They portend great dangers to achieving credible, peaceful and acceptable elections. They also threaten the existence of Nigeria.
The BATAM president, who was also flanked by other officials at the press conference attended by other members of the group, called on the security agencies to take urgent steps to stop the violence and associated destruction of human lives by the enemies of the country.
He charged them to ensure a secure environment for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
“We call on the various security agencies in the country to urgently halt these senseless killings by these enemies of Nigeria and mankind. They should provide adequate and secure environment for elections to hold and peace to reign in Nigeria thereafter,” he said.
Solana therefore appealed to “all Nigerians to support Asiwaju and Shettima by massively voting for all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections because they have been tried, tested and could be trusted. We are convinced that they will not disappoint Nigerians.”
He said Nigerians should bother themselves more about the capacities and capabilities of the candidates to perform rather than the issue of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, which he described as a “winning formulae, model and strategy on the part of Tinubu and APC.”
He added, “The Tinubu that we know his antecedents, from marrying a Christian woman, who is now a pastor and they live together, peacefully, harmoniously and happily; a man whose children are Christians and he willingly donates generously to Christendom, such a man cannot Islamise Nigeria or favour Muslims more than Christians.
“Moreover, poverty and hunger do not discriminate between Christians, Muslims or Atheists. Inflation does not care whether you are a Christian or Muslim. What Nigerians should bother about are the capacities and capabilities of the candidates to perform.”
The BATAM president also argued that Tinubu is not too old to be Nigeria’s next president.
He noted that visionary leadership and good governance may not be functions of age, adding that even healthy men and women sometimes slump and die.
Solana said, “From my political horoscope, I can see that Nigeria’s next president will not be younger than 70 years. The next administration shall also be a perfect blend of relatively old and young people, but very active and progressive minded. Their combination and performance will be quite impressive.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fits perfectly into this vision and description. The perfect duo of Tinubu and Shettima will breath life into and revive whatever good thing that is dead about Nigeria.”