President Muhamadu Buhari on Saturday described the huge crowd at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rallies as willing supporters who are “not bought.”
He said: “Nobody can buy the crowd we have seen turning out at our rallies, they have been turning out willingly to show support.”
President Buhari said this during an interactive session with Osun State traditional rulers in Osogbo.
The meeting was held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House as a prelude to the presidential campaign rally that followed at the Osogbo city Stadium.
President Buhari was tacitly responding to the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the huge crowd at APC rallies across country were bought.
Addressing the traditional rulers, President urged them to assist the government in the area of security by working with the police, because they are closer to the people.
He said, “I am meeting you because you are nearer to to the people and if you work hand-in-hand with the security agencies, then our nation will be free from all forms of insecurity and secured.
“We understand the fact that issue of security is beyond a far distance approach, hence the need to incorporate the traditional rulers to ensure safety, peaceful coexistence and stability across the country.
“On our part, we will not deviate from the fundamental objectives to which the pillar of our government rest by ensuring that our nation is free from corruption, insurgency among others.”
President Buhari also used the venue to praise the performance of the APC governments in Osun State since the emergence of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.
Host Governor, Gboyega Oyetola promised to deliver the larger chunk of Osun State votes to Buhari and the APC “because of what the state has benefitted from the federal government in the provision of infrastructure, building of schools, healthcare and social investments.”
In attendance at the meeting with traditional rulers were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande , Campaign Council co-Chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, former Governors Bisi Akande and Rauf Aregbesola, former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore, Ministers Isaac Adewole, Rotimi Amaechi and Dambazzau , Senators Olusola Adeyeye and Babafemi Ojudu, State party chairman Gboyega Famodun, as well as Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina, who is an indigene of the state.
About 90 traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi attended the interactive session with the President.
The Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode, who spoke for, the royal fathers expressed confidence in the ability of the President to lift Nigeria above its present level
In his address, Former Lagos State Governor and APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Hammed Tinubu recalled that the PDP governments failed to recognize the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, who was denied the fruit of his victory in addition to being incarnated in prison where he died in controversial circumstances.
He said President Buhari did not only recognize Abiola posthumously, he declared June 12, the date of the election, as Democracy Day.
APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole said with the crowd he saw in Ibadan and Osogbo today, he is convinced that Buhari would win.
Senatorial candidates Bashiru Ajibola (Central), Ajibola Famurewa (East) and Adelere Oriolowo (West) and House of Representatives candidates were given party flags.
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