Political parties have put behind them the postponement of the ballot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and have started to restrategise to coast home on March 28 and April 11.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has held federal power since 1999, is not resting on its oars because it knows the opposition is formidable this time.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) held a meeting in Abuja on February 17 to take stock of how it has faired and to decide other things that need be done to win.
PDP plans more rallies
First Lady, Patience Jonathan, convened a meeting of powerful PDP women from the 36 states and Abuja, including the wives of PDP governors and female deputy governors, and implored them to do everything possible to ensure victory for President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP at all levels.
It was learnt that the PDP plans another round of rallies in at least 10 states to bolster the efforts of loyalists who are campaigning at the grassroots to shore up the chances of the party.
The Jonathan-Sambo Grassroots Ambassadors of Nigeria (JOSGAN) is on an intensive mobilisation of Ndigbo for the re-election of Jonathan.
JOSGAN Anambra State Secretary, Ebere Uzoatu, insisted in Aba that there is every reason for the Igbo man to vote for him.
“Jonathan has been trying on the federal roads in the past two to three months; SURE-P has been doing a wonderful job on our federal roads,” he said.
“The other day, I was in Enugu. They have started tarring all the roads from Umunneochi to Ubakala, Umuahia. That section of the expressway is good now.
“Jonathan means everything to the Igbo man. Apart from the above, look at insecurity which he is seriously fighting, look at the economy he is trying to rescue from final collapse.
“He needs to tidy up those things and he can only do that if he is re-elected. These should make people from this part of the country vote for Jonathan at the polls.”
APC brainstorms
APC bigwigs present at the meeting in Abuja included its presidential candidate, Muhhamadu Buhari, his running mate, Yemi Osibanjo, Bola Tinubu, Adams Oshiomnole, Kashim Shettima, Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Magatakarda Wammako, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Tonu Momoh.
They also include Ogbonnya Onu, Segun Oni, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, George Moghalu, Sam Nda-Isaiah, Abubakar Audu, Babachir Lawal, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Ibikunle Amosun, Gambo Magaji, Ramatu Ali, Nasir el-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Abiola Ajimobi, and Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Abdullahi Ganduje, Mohammad Magoro, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Aisha Alhassan, Musa Ibeto, Niger State Deputy Governor, Adamu Aliero, former House of Representatives Speaker, Patricia Ette, and APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun were also in attendance.
Buhari urged party leaders to keep their eyes on the ball and work as they have never done before.
“The days and weeks ahead will be tough,” he alerted. “Our resolve will be tested and all kinds of evil tricks will be on display. But do not despair. The goal is in sight. Change is coming. The people of Nigeria will prevail.
“God has destined Nigeria to be a great country. We shall overcome and change shall be achieved.”
He described as “worrisome” the recent allegation by Sagir Koli about how he, a serving military officer at the time, was deployed with other officers, some more senior in rank, to work with members of the PDP to rig the governorship election in Ekiti State in June 2014.
“Up till now, there has been no official denial of this most unfortunate event. It makes me wonder, in the circumstances that led to shifting of the date of the general elections, whether the security services are even now being prepared to play similar roles in the March 28 and April 11 elections,” Buhari said.
He reiterated that the security services have serious constitutional responsibilities and their importance to the wellbeing of Nigeria and Nigerians cannot be underestimated.
“It is therefore imperative that their leaders must not drag these invaluable institutions into the realm of partisan politics.”
Long way to go
Buhari commended APC members who lost in primaries but have thrown their energies and resources into the campaign, not minding their personal losses.
“There are others who have been made mind boggling offers by our opponents in a bid to break our ranks and curtail our momentum in the march to change Nigeria for good, yet you have chosen to be on the side of a cause that is just.”
Buhari urged the party faithful not to rest thinking that all is won.
“Six weeks is a long time and we do not know the plans of the other side but with our strong resolve we will prevail. Therefore, let us keep our eyes on the ball.
“We must use the next six weeks that have been imposed on us to re-charge and re-focus on our goal. We should aim to achieve a victory that will be beyond dispute and proceed to form the next government and start work on the task of rebuilding our beloved country.”
Odigie-Oyegun explained that “we decided on this unusual step so that we can kill so many birds with a single stone. We have already held the board of trustees meeting and were to proceed with the INEC and the caucus.
“But we thought that because of the nature of the campaigns that were going on, the frenzy we experienced all over the nation for change and the fact that we did not at any stop have the opportunity to wait and interact with the local party leaders.
“It was agreed that we needed a wide-range meeting of party leaders nationwide so that the party leadership and [Buhari] and [Osinbajo] will have the opportunity of interacting with the movers and shakers of this party at the grassroots level, those who make things happen.
“If possible, we will have a full day of interaction and have your views and experiences and suggestions such that when we move on from here, in the six weeks that have been forced on us, we will make good use of them.
“We will reach those parts of the voting population that we have not reached, collate ideas coming from the field so that when we leave here, we will be a refreshed army, consolidating on the successes that we have already achieved.
Maiduguri as game changer
“Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you for the support given to us in all the states that we have visited. There is only one state left and that is Yobe.
“We haven’t been there not because we did not want to go. The governor is so confident that he left it basically to our discretion that we don’t need to come to his state because he will deliver his state to the president and ensure that he is also re-elected with an overwhelming majority.
“After the experience in Maiduguri, [Buhari] has changed his mind and said he will go to Damaturu even if it is to wave to the people who believe so much in him and who are investing so much in his ability to change the course of the history of our nation.
“I don’t think I need to bore you with the events of the last few days and weeks. It is very clear that through your own very hard work, your party, the APC, is coasting home to an overwhelming victory.
“Anywhere we have gone to, starting for the South East, South South, South West and the totality of the Northern states, the cry has been unanimous.
“The people have internalised the need for change and have taken possession of the need for change, and before you even open your mouth to talk to them, it appears as if they know more about change and the need for change, the necessity for change, the imperative for change, than even you that have come to them to ask for their votes. “So, we have a tremendous responsibility and that is what partly led to this get together we are having today.
“We recognise that we have such challenges and that the aspirations of the people are so high and their trust in us is so high that we must do everything from now to the elections to ensure that victory is attained. Even then, that is where the real challenge will begin.
“Of course, the very sign that we are on the right track comes from the reaction from what one will describe as the opposition in government.”
Firing up the base
Tinubu’s speech got the atmosphere charged. He began by praising Buhari for his democratic credentials which he said helped the APC and the country to avoid the trap in the postponement of the election.
“Congratulations for walking off the booby trap and congratulation to all of us because we are getting close to bringing down the Berlin Wall. We cannot celebrate yet but have to be stronger and vigilant.
“Our presidential candidate is more democratic today than ever before. The booby trap set for us in the postponement is that they expected us to react violently so that they can declare a state of emergency in the country,” Tinubu said.
“[Buhari] led us away from that part and spoke, telling Nigerians to be patient and endure the pain and expectations. A delayed joy is what we are looking at. But we can’t take things for granted.
“The PDP bought time for themselves. You can see their level of desperation in government. The PDP is a very stubborn goat. Don’t take for granted that the stubborn goat will not come back to the grain again to steal it until you slaughter it.
“What we are facing are a brand of shameless, lack of honour and a people coming together to say we are going to hold on to this power by all means. You, as leaders in the various localities, must have the courage and determination to go on.
“Do we actually have the courage to go on? Do we even believe in ourselves? Are we determined to take power?”
Tinubu congratulated and thanked Osun State “for providing that technical training that we needed. Many of your states are being trained now. Let us use this time to fasten our belt, to put ourselves on our toes, to strengthen ourselves, because no one will serve you power if you don’t take it.
“It is not like going to a Chinese restaurant and say you want noodles. The determination is yours. Now that they have not been able to achieve their aim with the booby trap they set, they have other things up their sleeves.
“Congratulation to Borno State for putting lies to their claims that elections cannot hold in that area with an incident-free campaign with a mammoth crowd. That is why we say [insecurity] is an excuse to postpone the election and they will find another excuse to postpone it again, but we are going to resist it.
“We want democracy and not a crazy government.
“Don’t assume that we are there yet. All those that are trained to defend our votes on election day should be retrained to provide that protection that we need.
“It is equally giving our leaders the warning signs that if you fail to accommodate others and you think that you have got the ticket to contest and you cannot work with others now for cohesion to achieve victory, you are still in danger.”
“You hear that they are buying cards all over the country, go back to your constituencies and your wards and tell them not to sell their cards because it is their common sense to democratic revolution. So, secure it because it is a source of employment for our children and a sound economy.
“You see the exchange rate is wiping out the businesses of our young and old traders you cannot replace items that you bought yesterday and is broken today and needs replacement.
“You cannot rely on the economy of this country any longer because they have ruined it down. Let us go and emphasise that to our people back home.
“Don’t be excited that we are winning this election and that they are going to land it in your hands and surrender. They are like sea dogs with a long neck and long clippers. They do it all over. Is it not PDP? So, prove to them that we are determined.
“They have fused religion. If they want to play religion, we want to play the economy. Our own religion is security, economy and prosperity for Nigerians.
“When we were hearing the rumour of postponement from London, everybody argued that it will not be possible.
“They were even advised by the National Council of State because the INEC said it was ready. They withdrew security from Attahiru Jega (INEC Chairman) and rendered him seriously unprotected. He had to surrender the electoral date.
“We are not going to tolerate that any more. Let it be part of the resolution we take out of here that we are not going to tolerate another postponement under any guise and don’t underestimate anybody.
“Members of the National Assembly still have a lot of assignment that they must hold dire to their heart. Patriotism is about putting the country first and not about self.”
Tinubu appealed to APC members who lost out at primaries not to feel offended, saying “if you did not become the candidate, you could become a happier person when Nigeria is flourishing in prosperity; you have a nation you can be proud of; when you have an economy that you can rely on.
“There are many business opportunities different from political opportunities, and so please bear with the party.
Importance of card reader
Tinubu stressed the importance of card readers to prevent vote rigging. “We must use the card reader. We must know who is accredited and how many number of people are voting. Don’t give us the excuse that people did not collect PVCs.”
He thanked Lagosians who have been sending him “text messages regarding the little intimidation and harassment from soldiers” and also thanked those who made the banner in front of my house that it was not Sambissa forest. It was a good thing to wake up and walk to the front of the house and find that.
“They want to scare you, but we can’t be afraid. You cannot give up this victory. Any party who believes that it can win election should have allowed the election. So, they are telling the public that they are scared.”