Engr. Aderemi Rauf Olaniyan, who was deputy to Governor Seyi Makinde, has urged electorates to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima, presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in next month’s election and other candidates of the party.
The Igboho-born retired permanent secretary made this known after meeting Hausa community in Oyo State.
Olaniyan, who chairs the Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council, TSGICC, in the state, said Tinubu has the capacity to consolidate on the gains of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, adding that everyone, irrespective of tribe and religion, should support the APC and all its candidates.
Expressing optimism that Tinubu would enjoy the votes more than any other candidates contesting against him, Olaniyan urged electorates to vote for the National Assembly candidates of the APC on the same day so that the administration can be a smooth one.
“I want to express our gratitude to all the groups and individuals we have met and spoken to in the last few weeks. It has been awesome. However, we must not rest on our oars. We have to continue talking to people till elections are concluded.
“I have the conviction that Tinubu will not play ethnic or religious cards. I don’t think I need to raise this but some people have the fear. We have been able to allay the fear of some people. We know Tinubu’s antecedent. His wife is a Christian and he has Christians as top aides. He has never accused of being an ethnic or religious bigot. We can all see some of those who have passed through him. He didn’t pick them because they are from his ethnic or religious line but on competence. We saw all he governed Lagos. Ibos, Hausas and others were in his government. He is a man who has friends across ethnic and religious divides.”
“I must let us know that just as it is important to vote en masse for Tinubu, it is also imperative for us to vote the three senatorial and 14 house of representatives candidates of the APC on the same. That is how to support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He needs his people to be at the National Assembly so as to fastract development. Two weeks after that, they should ensure the emergence of Sen. Teslim Folarin, the APC governorship candidates and all house of assembly candidates of the party.”
Olaniyan, it would be recalled, had been meeting support groups and individuals in the last weeks, soliciting supports for candidates of the APC.