By Chima Okafor
They have been rendered breathless, still reeling in shock and surprise over the mammoth crowd that received the APC Presidential Candidate, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, in Enugu, the political headquarters of the old Eastern region on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Observers say this huge rally means a major incursion into the South-east, which some politicians think is their strongholds.
And hit by such tumultuous reception accorded Asíwájú, political opponents are now looking for how to discredit the success of the rally and de-market the APC candidate. Asiwaju’s message to the Igbo is clear and unambiguous. A major highlight is his promise to turn the coal city of Enugu into the industrial hub of the country. He promised many more.
And seeking their support, he urged the people to do more than they are doing at present. He particularly singled out his friend the Deputy National Chairman, South, Barrister Emma Enekwu, who represented the party’s National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu at the rally.
This is how the presidential frontrunner put it: “My dear friend Barrister Emmanuel Enekwu, the deputy national chairman for the south.
Well, you have represented the chairman of our party, the national chairman, well.
But nobody will give you any credit. You are working hard, you are sweating at present.
We want you to sweat well for this party until you deliver victory, until Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will give you only a slight clap or a soaked slice of bread.”
Now, tell me, where did Asíwájú disparage or demean the Ndigbo whose votes he is seeking? This does not add up. Besides, the APC candidate is not one disparage any race or any group of people. He believes in Nigeria’s diversity and deploying such for national growth and development.
He demonstrated this when as Lagos governor, he ran an all-inclusive government. He brought in technocrats from across the length and breadth of the country. What he achieved with that excellent cabinet is there for everyone to see in Lagos. So political opponents out to knock Asíwájú’s head against those of Ndigbo should look for something else to do.