In Defence of Asiwaju’s Mandate and James Faleke’s Post-election Intervention Initiative

Seyi Babaeko

It was Martin Luther King Jr. who famously and succinctly declared that “we must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
It is therefore in tandem with the above declaration of Dr. King that I want to most sincerely commend the dogged and laudable intervention of Hon. James Faleke, the outstanding lawmaker representing the good people of Ikeja federal constituency of Lagos state and the Secretary of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Council, for his firm, unwavering support and his initiative to mobilize Nigerians and lovers of democracy to defend the popular mandate given to the His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, President-Elect and His Vice respectively.

Clearly, there are attempts by those who lost the election and their retinue of haters of Nigeria to derail our democracy and truncate the transition process. However, the prompt initiative and strategic mobilization of Nigerians to defend the Jagaban mandate thwarted the satanic plans of truncating the transition process which will usher in a Better Nigeria on May 29th, 2023.

The daily sit-out at the Unity Fountain since 34 days ago, and the total takeover of the Unity Fountain from those hell-bent to destabilize the peace and progress of our dear nation by The Tinubu Support Groups led by the visionary and ebullient Secretary of the Directorate of Support Groups Coordination of the Presidential Campaign Council Tosin Adeyanju and A. A Maigogo Director Community Support Directorate of the dissolved PCC is laudable and highly commendable.

No doubt, it is not a crime to protest when the need arises but the fact that all aggrieved political parties have approached the court for redress of the matter to protest and calling for the military takeover and interim government is hypocrisy of the highest order. There is no alternative to democracy and ours has come to stay. It is on this basis that I salute the courage and the intervention of the “Best Executive Governor” Kogi State is yet to have, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, for his intervention in ensuring that the Asiwaju and Shettima Mandate is defended and protected.

I do not doubt that history will be kind to Hon. Faleke, the Tinubu Support Groups, the security agencies and Nigerians at large for their daily resolution in sitting out from morning till night to protect and defend the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima mandate till inauguration on May 29th.
The initiative started 34 days ago and features a dancing competition, musical display, and quiz competition on the personality of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Other side attractions include drama, and cultural dancers representing about 10 different languages such as Kanuri, Tiv, Sua, Igbo, Yoruba, Nupe, Hausa, etc. as well as medical outreach for everyone at the Unity Fountain.

More importantly, there is an ongoing plan to commence an open discussion from the 1st of May, 2023 with the topic: “Actualization and Sustainability of the Renewed Hope: Expectations and Desirability” with different participants expected to be assessed by panellists. In addition, a skill acquisition and empowerment program has been lined up from the 5th of May to the 28th of May through the Pre-Presidential Inauguration Hangout training and empowerment programs such as Baking & Catering, Videography, Basic Vehicle Diagnosis/ Sewing and Phone Repairing. Other Skills Include Hair Styling, Barbing, Nail Fixing and Polishing, General Makeup and Body Therapy, Throw Pillows and General Inter Decoration, Shoe Making/Repairing, Vulcanizing, Tying And Dying, and Corporate Humidity/Multi Print.

The registration fee for the above-mentioned skills is free and open to anyone willing to learn any of the skills. No wonder, the president-elect has referred to Hon. James Faleke as “Omo dada”, meaning “good child”.
The people’s total commitment is a pointer that we cannot afford to lose at this ample opportunity of infinite hope, especially in this era of renewed hope for a better Nigeria that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents.

It is noteworthy to commend the solidarity and show of love of some dignitaries and notable Nigerians, captains of Industry and Political leaders like Hon Kuye, Hon Kolade Alabi, Alhaji Abdulfatah A. Murkta, Chairman IPMAN, Mohammed Mubarak, Sen. Timothy Adudu, Dr. Hawal Hayatu DH NAMMBO and Chief Felix Idiga National Chair GOGAN, Mrs Ajayi Temitope (Mama Diaspora), Hon. Mary Ikoku, Chief Ayiri Emami, Sen. Diket Plang, Hon. Amobi Akintola, Members of House of Representatives, and Mr. Adamu Garba (former presidential candidate). Others are Alhaji Dokubo Asari, Hajia Bago, Ahmad Garba, Dr. Charles Silvester, Dr Nasiru Argungu, Saheed Balogun, Zack Orji, Benedict Johnson, Sheyi Tinubu, Dayo Israel, Sen. Asuquo Epkeyong (Cross River Central), Hajia Hadiza Mamman-Vasa and a host of others who visited the Fountain to show their solidarity with the noble cause.
Long Live The Tinubu/Shettima Mandate!
Long Live The APC & Tinubu Support Groups!!
Long Live The Federal Republic Of Nigeria!!!

•Seyi Babaeko was a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Kogi West Coordinator of Asiwaju’s Farmers Forum. He writes from FCT Abuja.