2023: No party can beat APC in Lagos, says Tinubu

He urged party faithful and Lagosians to sustain the tempo of mobilization for next year’s poll and the reputation of the state as a progressive hub.

Tinubu, who stormed the Lagos State APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, expressed delight that he met the political family stronger than he left it.

He passed a vote of confidence in Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu and party officials who had held forte at home, particularly during the historic presidential primary.

Thanking them for not betraying the confidence reposed in them, he said their efforts have made the party to remain unbeatable in the state.

Also in Lagos yesterday, Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje stormed the Alaba Rago, Iba market to mobilise Arewa members for elections.

Tinubu, who held a meeting with Lagos APC officials, said he was proud of the chapter.

He said: “I left Lagos for Abuja, leaving the party members with Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, leaders of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and other party leaders. They are the ones who released me to go to Abuja to contest. I left with many doubts, and I was uncertain about what would be the fate of the party, though I was constantly in touch with the governor and his deputy.

“Sometimes, I would call the party chairman and ask if we were doing the right thing in Lagos. Their reports always gave me more courage and confidence to move on with my engagement in Abuja. I thank all of our leaders for keeping the party stronger. I handed over to you an undefeated platform in Lagos. The manner with which the party affairs have been conducted showed these people have fairly managed the home base.”

Tinubu recalled that his journey to secure the presidential nomination in Abuja was littered with uncertainties.

He said: “The support raised from Lagos APC leadership boosted my confidence to move on and win the primaries’.

Tinubu, who maintained he was in the presidential race to win, however, said his fate was in the hands of the party members ‘who must work hard to get votes for the party’.

He therefore, urged party supporters to move out to the communities and canvass voters.

The work, he said, must start with the 57 local council chairmen, who he urged to reach out to aggrieved party members at the grassroots to deliver more votes for APC at the general election.