The massive All Season Plaza in Agidingbi was packed full of members of Justice Forum, the largest single political group in Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) as they held an inter-denominational prayer session to celebrate the birthday of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The hall was packed full, yet those outside the hall were more.
It was an inter-denominational service for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigeria as a whole with prayers also held for the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the leadership of the APC not only in Lagos but also in the entire federation.
The turn out of members at the event confirmed the numerical strength of the Justice Forum group in Lagos politics.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of JF, Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi expressed delight at the turn out of members.
Delving into the history of JF, Prince Olusi said the group has always been in the forefront of progressive politics and has always advocate for people-oriented governance.
He stated that the event was organized to pray for the success of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration noting that the administration need all the support and prayers of citizens to succeed.
“We must all join hands together to ensure the success of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and one of such is what we’re doing here today,” Prince Olusi said.
Also speaking at the event, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, urged Nigerians not to relent in their support and prayers for Tinubu noting that recent events have shown that the steps taken by the Tinubu administration is yielding positive results.
“The Tinubu administration needs all our support and prayers and I want to seize this opportunity to express appreciation to our fathers, leaders and organizers of this great event. It shows that JF remains the most formidable political group in Lagos even outside the APC, there is no bigger and stronger group than JF,” she said.
Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro livened up the atmosphere with songs. He also called for continued support for Tinubu, noting that the task of building Nigeria is a collective one for the government and the people.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadir Obafemi Hamzat was full of praises for the organisers of the event noting that no government can do without the support and prayers of its people.
He acknowledged the strength in depth of JF noting that the group has always been in the forefront of struggles for the emancipation of the people. “JF is the leading political group in Lagos, the strongest and biggest, we’re always fighting for better deals for the people,” he said.
The newly appointed state Coordinator for Justice Forum and member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Honourable James Abiodun Faleke, rounding up the speeches at the event, expressed delight at joining the group.
“We’ve talked to our Creator and our coming back to JF is a divine exercise and I know we’ll succeed with this group.
“We’re going back to the grassroots, we’re going back to the source, and we’re going back to where we started the journey, no group is the source but JF, no group controls the grassroots more than JF and certainly Justice Forum is the biggest and the strongest,” he said.
Faleke also called for support for the Tinubu administration noting that the results of his reforms are beginning to manifest.
“The reforms are yielding positive results already, but we must not relent in our support and prayers for this administration.
“Asiwaju Tinubu meant well for the people of Nigeria and he has started very well, yet it was hard but we’ve started to witness the positive results of these reforms. Let’s not relent in our support for the administration and we’ll be the better for it,” Faleke, Chairman of House Committee on Finance said.
Speaking on the sidelines with reporters, the Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Honourable Rasaq Olusola Ajala said he was impressed with the turn out of members for the event.
“It’s a confirmation of the strength, support and the belief people have in Justice Forum. It’s a group that harps on justice and always in the forefront for the enthronement of rule of law. In Lagos, Justice Forum is the bastion of progressive politics,” Ajala, Secretary General of Conference 57, umbrella organization for council chairmen in Lagos, said.
The interdenominational prayers had Sheikh Abdul Hakeem Lawal leading the Islamic prayers while the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Adegbite led the Christian faithful.
Prominent leaders were present: the first Secretary to Lagos State Government, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; another former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi Susan; Otunba Busura Alebiosu; former Lagos State Chairman of APC, Chief Henry Ajomale; Baba Adinni of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi Macfoy; member of the House of Representatives for Mushin Federal Constituency I, Honourable Taofik Adeyemi Alli; Commissioner in the state Local Government Service Commission, Honourable Hakeem Adisa Bamgbala; the Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Honourable Tolani Sule Akibu; former member of Lagos State cabinet, Honourable Gboyega Salvador; and the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Olayinka among others.
