In their determination to ensure a smooth transition from the outgoing administration of President Muhammadu Buhari whose two-term tenure of eight years expires on Monday, 29 May, 2023 paving the way for the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many Nigerians from all over the country have camped at the Unity Fountain, Abuja for well over a month clamoring for a smooth, uninhibited transition.
This is their own way of countering earlier calls by some opposition figures for either interim government or a military takeover because of their allegations that the presidential election was deeply flawed.
But this group of patriotic Nigerians have come out vehemently to oppose any suggestion to scuttle an orderly transition to the newly elected President which they consider “a dangerous misdirection to scuttle our entire democracy” as declared by the Convener of the Group, Tosin Adeyanju.
On day 34 of the rally, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, member of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the defunct All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC), who paid a solidarity visit to the Unity Fountain commended the resilience and dedication of the rallying groups to the cause of democracy, peace and justice in Nigeria.
In his words, “I have watched your activities for well over a month and I cannot but notice the passion and patriotic spirit that you have brought into your efforts to preserve Nigeria’s democracy and protect the mandate of Nigerians freely given to the President-elect, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential election. Your sustained daily appearances at this Unity Fountain is a testimony to your patriotic commitment to the progress and unity of Nigeria and I promise you confidently that the incoming president will not disappoint you and all Nigerians as he is well-prepared for the humongous assignments of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Renewed Hope mantra shall be fully operationalized for the benefit of all Nigerians”.
While welcoming Hon Faleke to the Unity Fountain rallies, Convener of the Group, Tosin Adeyanju, assured him that the Pre-Inauguration Hangouts will continue until after the May 29th inauguration of the incoming administration in order not to allow antidemocratic forces pollute the nation’s atmosphere with their “evil agenda”.
The popular son of the President-elect who participated actively in the electioneering processes that led to the emergence of his father as President-elect, Oluwaseyi Tinubu, also paid a solidarity visit to the Unity Fountain to join the group to rally.
He and his entourage were warmly welcomed by the huge crowds at the Unity Fountain.
In his welcome speech, Dr. A. A. Maiagogo, Co-Convener of the Group said, “We are both happy and surprised by your surprise visit to the Unity Fountain to solidarise with this group of Nigerians who have volunteered to rally against evil forces who mean no well for our country but wish to destroy the democratic gains that we have achieved since the re-inception of democracy in 1999. It is not only treasonous but unforgivably unpatriotic for any section of the opposition to be calling for military intervention or an unconstitutional takeover of government by a so-called interim national government. That is totally strange to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and we shall resist such illegality to the last man standing”.
He further declared that “We are not in a hurry to depart from this space because we cannot afford to allow unpatriotic elements and antidemocratic renegades take over this place with their preconceived evil agenda to plunge our country into intractable crisis. We remain steadfast and unshaken in our resolve to ensure that the May 29th inauguration takes place without any hiccups.”
While responding, Seyi Tinubu said he was really impressed by the array of multicultural displays from across the country he met at the Unity Fountain. He joined in the cultural dances and mingled freely with the crowds who cheered him on as he personally carried some of the cultural artifacts and danced with them.
“You are the true champions of our democracy ” he declared.
“I am so happy to meet so many Nigerians of varied cultures and languages collaborating to protect our democracy and the cause of justice. I am perfectly sure that your labor of patriotism shall not be in vain. This is Unity Fountain and we must encourage and preserve the unity of this country to which my dad is unequivocally committed. Let us always pray for this country and work hard for its success. There is nothing to benefit from fanning the embers of violence and disunity. We call on all Nigerians to join hands to work together for the socioeconomic advancement of our great nation in the spirit of sportsmanship and politics without bitterness. In this country, Nigerians across generations can find their purpose and thrive. Nigeria shall be great in our lifetime ” he concluded as the crowd cheered on.
The Conveners declared that the rally continues day and night until further notice.
