The South-South Movement for Tinubu/Shettima, a socio-political group in the Niger Delta region, on Monday, urged Nigerians to “shun campaigns of calumny against Tinubu/Shettima” ahead of the 2023 general elections describing such as “part of the antics of desperate and drowning politicians”.
The group gave the warning in a communique issued at the end of its August executive meeting in Warri, Delta State on Monday.
The meeting was attended by senatorial coordinators and delegates from the six States in the South-South geopolitical zone comprising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo States, and anchored by the National Coordinator, Besidone Samuel Eyengho.
Other signatories to the communique included Dr. Emem Wilcox Wills (National Secretary); Chief Thank God Deizigha (National Organizing Secretary); Barr. Nwulu Charles Uche, (National Publicity Secretary); George Ogaga (State Coordinator) and Abu Momodu (Member).
While noting that “Tinubu/Shettima is the answer to Nigeria’s multi-faceted problems and the best choice for the country today”, the group reiterated that “the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hale, hearty, agile and fit to tackle the challenges and demands of a prosperous Nigeria”.
The group called on stakeholders in the geopolitical zone to “embrace the ticket to guarantee a prosperous Nigeria”.
It added that “sincere and concerted efforts should be made to return the region fully into mainstream national politics, in order to ensure meaningful and accelerated development”.
The group lamented that “the romance of the South-South with People’s Democratic Party since 1999, has failed to attract the much-needed development o the region” and assured that the Tinubu/Shettima ticket will return the country to a path of sustainable peace, socioeconomic growth, and development.
The communique recalled the Asaba Declaration of Tuesday, May 11, 2021, by 17 Governors of Southern Nigeria and submitted that “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Kashim Shettima Presidency perfectly represents the yearnings for a President of Southern Nigeria extraction, come 2023”.
The group maintained that “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has epitomized consistency and stability in terms of political philosophy” stressing that his days right from the Alliance for Democracy to the Action Congress of Nigeria and the formation of All Progressives Congress speak volumes.
“He is alien to political prostitution, associated with politicians moving from one political party to the other, just to contest for power”, the communique said.
It read further, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu designed the development blueprint for present-day Lagos State when he was governor. As Chief Executive f Lagos State, his versatility in corporate life and business, was brought to bear. This was evident in the way and manner he increased the Internally Generated Revenue of Lagos State from millions to billions on monthly basis and prioritized competence above ethnic/religious sentiments.
“Unlike his peers, BAT has an uncommon vision of identifying potential leaders and mentoring them to the peak of their professional and political careers. This has greatly helped in the transition of power in Lagos State, from me Governor to another since 1999, seamlessly keying into the development blueprint of the State His running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima has equally exhibited this rare leadership quality by producing one of the most outstanding governors’ in Nigeria today, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.
“BAT is a pan Nigerian (detribalised Nigerian). As Governor of Lagos State, he appointed people who were it from Lagos State and South West as a whole, into strategic political positions. Some of these persons grew their political and professional profiles under his leadership and are excellently serving the country in various capacities to date. Lagos is a mini-Nigeria and the pedigree of Asiwaju is what Nigeria needs at this point in time.”