There have been many articles about the heroes of the convincing victory of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the party’s Presidential Primary.
Much has been said and written about the game-changing role of the party’s Northern States’ Governors who insisted on return of power to the South, many articles have been written about the heroic lobbying of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Osun State counterpart, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola; as well as round the clock move of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
Not much has been written about the unsung heroes who worked behind the scene and ensured that victory was achieved.
Thegazellenews.com’s MUSBAU RASAK, in this news features writes on some of the unsung heroes who contributed in no small measure to the landslide victory of Tinubu at the APC Presidential Primary.
JAMES ABIODUN FALEKE: arguably the most unsung hero of all. Right from the word go, Faleke has keyed into the Tinubu Presidential Project even when the former Lagos State Governor has not made up his mind.
Faleke, member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, which incidentally is Tinubu’s Constituency, with friends of likeminds formed the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), the first support group for Tinubu. They did not only formed this but also opened a secretariat to coordinate the activities of supporters of the APC National Leader.
Since then the Maitama headquarters of TSG became the rallying point for all Tinubu lovers and support groups which sprang up after. The group opened registers for members and volunteers and started mobilizing members to join. TSG provided the template for incursion into grassroots structure in Northern Nigeria
Faleke, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, and his friends provided the needed financial and moral support for TSG to operate.
Not only this, eventually when Tinubu declared his aspiration, Faleke was in the forefront, following him up and down while not abandoning his coordinating role at the TSG.
In Lagos, he organized special interdenominational prayers to give the project a spiritual back up.
In the final weeks leading to the primary, Faleke dedicated himself to the task, even brought in his personal staff from Lagos to participate. He was always at the forefront of lobbying in the House of Representatives and committed his finances to the cause.
At the primary, this writer can confirmed that Faleke did not sleep for 48 hours. He was walking up and down making sure that things are in proper shape and when the sorting of votes commences Faleke, as Tinubu’s agent, sat for hours collecting ballots cast for his candidate. After that, he was on his feet while the ballots were being counted.
Faleke committed his time, resources and physical being into the project and today he ranked as arguably the greatest unsung hero of the Tinubu Presidential Primary Project.
SENATOR GANIYU OLANREWAJU SOLOMON
The former Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, was one of the most visible faces at the APC Presidential Primary at the Eagle Square.
He was a member of the Election Committee set up by the party but GOS as he is popularly called did more than that. He was up and down making sure all went well.
When the election started, GOS was in the strategic position of handing out ballot papers to the delegates.
Through his meticulous handling of the task he was given, Solomon was able to prevent any form of underhand dealings at the polling centres, making sure that only those who are qualified to vote, voted at the primary.
Prior to that, GOS has been involved in various efforts put in place to drum support for Asiwaju, he is arguably the Elder Statesman of the project. He was conspicuous in offering his material and financial support to all events aimed at mobilizing support for Tinubu.
He is always present physically at rallies, symposium and other events put in place for Asiwaju. He was at SWAGA inauguration in Lagos, was there when ABAT was launched and was also present when Musiliu Akinsanya led transporters from the southwest to organize a rally in support of Asiwaju.
To underscore his determination, Solomon relocated to Abuja four weeks before the primary and committed his time, energy and resources to the cause.
On the day of primary, GOS spending more than 36 hours at Eagle Square and was on seat throughout the night at the voting centre, not only handing ballot papers to delegates to vote but also monitoring the voting process to ensure there was no manipulation.
MUTIU AARE
Mutiu Aare is the secretary of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). He is one of those who committed whole body to the cause.
He was an ever present when Asiwaju embarked on his nationwide tour to drum support for his aspiration. He was also spending his money along the line.
He coordinated activities in Lagos and was conspicuous at all events organised to mobilize support for Asiwaju.
At the primary, Aare coordinated the delegates from Lagos, ensuring that they lack nothing. He was the main intermediary between them and the government and he played his role well.
RASAK AJALA and his Conference 57 colleagues
The Chairman of Odioolowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and General Secretary of Conference 57, umbrella organisation of council chairmen in Lagos State, Rasak Ajala, played major roles including sponsoring positive media articles to support the cause.
Ajala and his colleagues at Conference 57 led by their Chairman, Kolade Alabi committed money and time to the cause. They were always ready to support any cause to mobilize support for Asiwaju’s aspiration.
Razaq Ajala and his colleagues were there when SWAGA was launched in Lagos, they committed resources to the formation and launch of ABAT, they were there when MC Oluomo and his colleagues were doing there rally for Asiwaju.
They mobilized themselves to Abuja during the inauguration of state coordinators for TSG. They were everywhere.
At the Eagle Square, Razaq Ajala and his colleagues did not sleep. They were constantly monitoring events as they unfold and they were always ready to protest any underhand act.
None of them left the Eagle Square until the votes were counted and Tinubu declared the winner.
They are indeed unsung heroes.
CORNELLIUS OJELABI and his colleagues at the Lagos APC exco
The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornellius Ojelabi and his colleagues at the state secretariat of the party were excellent.
They ensured that they not leave any room for underhand and never gave any room for the party and Tinubu to be disturbed by any legal issue.
They are also commended for ensuring that the state delegates lacked nothing and Ojelabi deserves commendations for the way he linked up with the state Governor to address any burning issue. Ojelabi really played his coordinating roles well
