Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala yesterday made good his promise to prevent Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari from using Mapo Hall for his campaign rally in Ibadan.
He locked Buhari and his supporters out of the venue, but the defiant CPC went ahead with the rally within the precincts of the historic hall.
The Alao-Akala administration cited security reasons for barring Buhari from the venue. The government said First Lady Patience Jonathan would address a women rally at the venue today. It also said the CPC team hired the hall for use last Friday only to change the date to yesterday. But CPC spokesman Yinka Odumakin debunked the claim, saying the party booked for Monday and paid the fee, which the mangers of the hall acknowledged.
All the gates leading to the ancient hall were locked and guarded by security men, who turned people back.
The podium built by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in front of the imposing edifice for its political rally was also kept under watch to prevent anyone from using it.
But, the CPC rally went on, attended by a sea of supporters who waited for over five hours for Buhari.
Buhari arrived at the venue at about 5.30pm. He promised the provision of infrastructure, such as good roads, water, railways and other social amenities. He declred the PDP a failure.
Buhari said the CPC had come to effect the needed change across the country and to end the suffering of the masses.
He promised life more abundant, jobs and free education. He urged Nigerians to organise themselves well and ensure that their votes count.
Said Buhari: “Nigerians, we all know what our main problems are now. We are going to renew the state of infrastructure and ensure we have good roads, railways, water and make provision of all necessities of life to make our lives easier. That is why I’m saying that you need to vote for CPC the party that will make all these provisions available for this nation.”
His running-mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who spoke in Yoruba, said Nigerians’ problems were compounded by the PDP, “the party that has brought untold hardship on the people of Nigeria”.
According to him, there is wide-scale corruption, embezzlement, fraud and poor governance by the ruling party.
He urged the crowd to send the ruling party packing with their votes, saying the CPC will ensure free and qualitative education, wealth creation and better life for the people. Juju musician Shina Peters entertained the crowd.
His words “We have visited the Alake (of Egbaland), the Osile (of Oke Ona), and the Olubadan and they assured us that the CPC would make it. That this election is a possibility for the CPC. Pastor Enoch Adeboye has prayed for us and we are assured of victory,” he said.
Buhari presented the party’s flag to the governorship candidates in Oyo and Lagos states, Mr. Bayo Shittu and Mr. Abayomi Mumuni.
Apart from visiting the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, the presidential campaign team was in Abeokuta where it visited two traditional rulers and Governor Gbenga Daniel.
“The 2011 contest is not between the CPC and the PDP; it is between the honest and the dishonest men, experienced people and those who are lucky.
“It is a contest between the incorruptible and the corruptible, a contest between the promise makers and the promise breakers and, by the grace of God, by the support of the Kabiyesi and the people, we will conquer,” Bakare said.
He spoke at the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo.
Bakare said the campaign team’s brief visit to Ogun state was part of the activities for their campaign rally in the Southwest and deemed it worthy to visit the monarch.
He described Buhari as a transparent and honest man, who Nigeria needs now.
Said Bakare: “I have no doubt in my mind that working with Buhari will bring the desired change that the nation is yearning for.”
At the governor’s office, Daniel described the Buhari/Bakare ticket as “depicting a combination of talents and a formidable team”.
Buhari, in a brief address identified security, unemployment and corruption as some of Nigeria’s major problems. He promised to tackle them headlong, if elected into office.
Buhari also promised that CPC administration, if voted into power, would ensure accountability and transparency at all levels of government.
