Massive crowds welcome Lawan on campaign trail in Yobe North

By Musa Baba Adamu

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan was on Thursday received by massive crowds while on his campaign trail in Yobe North.

Lawan, who is the All Progressives Congress(APC) Senatorial candidate for Yobe North, witnessed similar reception on Wednesday while in Machina, Nguru and Karasuwa Local Government Areas of Yobe State.

On Thursday, Lawan’s first stop was at Yusufari in Yusufari Local Government where he was celebrated by party supporters and also their monarch, HRH Alhaji Mohammad Ibn Zannah Zakaria, who honoured him with the title of Walin Yusufari.

The Senate President urged the people to show their political strength in Yobe State by voting en masse for APC and particularly its Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Yobe State Governor who is going for his second term, Hon Mai Mala Buni and other candidates of the party.

From Yusufari, the campaign trail moved to Jakusko where party supporters also trooped out in their numbers and even danced along with the Senate President to a special campaign music in his honour.

Addressing the rally, the Senate President thanked the people of Jakusko for voting for him in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

The Senate President urged them this time around again to vote for APC from top down to bottom - Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima and all APC candidates.

He reminded them of the projects that he facilitated in the area like the Gasanu-Armshi- Gogaram road, solarpowered lights and boreholes, and youth employment opportunities.

Lawan assured them that the student scholarship scheme which he instituted will continue and also promised them a entrenched zero sum political culture in our Nation; in which the winner takes it all. Distinguished leaders and elders, this can explain the tension and inflamed passion witnessed between candidates and their supporters ahead of this all important election”, Mgbudem said.

While pointing out that the essence of signing of the Peace Accord signifies collective resolve and commitment to ensure that the 2023 general election is bloodless, Mgbudem enjoined them to abide by the letters of the Oath they took.

To this end, the IPAC leader cautioned political gladiators and their army of supporters that no inflamed passion over high political stakes is worth setting the country on fire, adding that any consideration capable of causing wanton destruction of lives and properties should best be avoided.

According to him, “This is a moment to stop and reflect on what becomes of the nation, her citizens and our democracy, if unquestionable fire erupts out of the electoral process when we instigate our followers to violence through our actions and inactions.

“It is therefore, on this premise that IPAC calls on politicians to play by the rules, de-escalate tension and embrace one another in peace, so as to instill the understanding that election is not a do or die affair among their supporters.”

He said the Peace Accord should not be seen as a mere ceremonial exercise of putting pen to the letters of oath, rather, it is an endorsement of a united and peaceful Nigeria, to which maximum commitment is required through peaceful conduct and utterances both during and after the elections.

At this juncture, Mgbudem, who is also the National Legal Adviser of Accord Party, commended the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, for the role the role of plays to ensure that politicians campaigned based on issues and citizens are also allowed to vote for candidates of their choice peacefully.

“As IPAC appreciates your efforts and genuine commitment in our democratic journey, we wish to assure you that posterity will judge you kindly, especially given the role you have played over the years to encourage peace in our elections”, according to him.

In addition, IPAC called on INEC to ensure that a level playing field is provided to all political parties, adding “grievances and genuine concerns raised by any party or candidate must be addressed on time and no political party should be treated as more sacred than others, for this is a prelude to electoral violence.

“This election should not only be seen to have been conducted free and fair, but must be seen and judged as transparent and credible by every political party and their candidates, so as to inspire their acceptance and confidence.”

LR: Deputy D.G, APC PCC, Hadiza Bala Usman, FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, Deputy National Chairman (North) Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Ona of Abaji HRH Adamu Baba Yunusa and other FCT traditional rulers during the visit of Sen. Shettima to the FCT Council of Chiefs, yesterday in Abuja.