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Thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) members and residents of the three local government areas in Ile Ife, on Tuesday tropped out to welcome the Buhari Leekansi campaign team, expressng strong support for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari Leekansi Initiative is a strategic concept of the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, designed towards propagating the achievements of Buhari and Osinbajo administration since 2015, and seeking support for reelection at the February 16 presidential election. It also complements the APC campaign structure in four states – Osun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti – in the Southwest.
The team which visited Iwo and Osogbo Local Government Areas returned to Ile-Ife, on Tuesday to a tulmutous crowd of party supporters and well wishers in solidarity and to endorse Buhari for second term. They transvered Ife East, Central and South LGAs.
The popular Lagere road and major roads in the ancient town of Ife were practically on standstill for several hours as vehicular movement was grounded to a halt. At the Sabo-Oja tuntun area of Ile-Ife, various groups, associations, market men and women as well as the commercial motorcycle operators, residents and supporters took over the ever busy road to lead the campaign team to Enuwa, Oonirisa palace.
At Gbodo-Arubidi and Iloro markets in Ife Central local government area, the team acknowledged cheers and open support for Buhari/Osinbajo second term bid and the bid for all APC candidates. Flags and fliers carried by supporters from Ife East and Central local government areas also lined the major road at various points.
The initiative’s Public Secretary, Owoyokun Samson, who stood in for the initiator of the programme, Prof. Adewole expressed joy in the way the people came out to show support. He however urged the people to translate the support to votes for APC on February 16.
His words: “We are here to tell the people of Ife to vote for APC across board because since APC assumed office three-and-a-half years ago and promised them the dividends of democracy, the party has not failed in its duties. Therefore, we are appealing to our people to vote for APC across all levels for continuity of good governance and developmental programmes.”
Also speaking, the APC candidate for Ife Central for the State House of Assembly, Adebusola Taiwo, expressed optimism that APC would emerge victorious in the coming elections.
Taiwo who appreciated Health Minister for coming up with the campaign initiative said he was happy to see that majority of the canvassers are youths who appreciate the good governance of APC.
Mrs Babalola Oluwakemi and Mrs Afolabi Fatia, residents of Ife applauded Buhari adminiatration and expressed confidence that women will vote for. Buhari resolved to ensure reelection of president Buhari.
Another resident, Mr Elutide Kehinde, a businessman, said the Senator Iyiola Omisore-led SDP coalition with APC in Ile-Ife means victory for APC at the polls in Febraury and March.