APC Governors- Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), acknowledging cheers from market women and well wishers as they marched through major streets and markets in Maiduguri in solidarity with the people of the state shortly after their meeting in Maiduguri.
Residents of Maiduguri on Thursday trooped out en masse to cheer Governors of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who stormed major streets and markets in the ancient city, in solidarity with the host community shortly after their meeting.
Market women, students and passers by abandoned other activities to catch a glimpse and wave at the ten governors who were in Maiduguri for the third leg of the meeting on the merger plan.
The governors- Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Adams Oshiomhola (Edo), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and the host Governor, Kashim Shettima, had abandoned their vehicles and embarked on the long walk through the markets and major streets in what they termed solidarity walk with the people.
Earlier at their meeting, the governors had reiterated their irrevocable commitment to the success of the new political party- APC.
Reading the Communiqué on behalf of nine other Governors, the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregebsola said that the party shall soon embark upon a national outreach and sensitisation activities and called on all Nigerians to support the efforts to rescue the country from a visionless leadership.
The Progressive Governors also commended the Central Merger Committee of the APC on the progress so far made in the establishment of the new party , particularly the recent inauguration of three major committees on Constitution, Manifesto and Legal/INEC Compliance.
The Governors also expressed their delight at the restoration of tranquillity and considerable normalcy in Maiduguri, “Contrary to the image of rampant violence that has been painted to the whole world, we have discovered the people going about their businesses without let or hindrance. We wish to commend the efforts of our brother- Governors in the two States Borno and Yobe States and the security agencies for the restoration of peace and stability”, the Communiqué adds.
In solidarity with the Government and people of Borno and Yobe States, the Progressive Governors also resolved to sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives and properties and donated a sum of N200 Million to the two States Government for emergency relief and support.
Aregbesola said Leadership is compassion and decisiveness, reiterating that those factors formed the basis of the meeting in Borno State.
“We want to share with the people of Borno that we are Nigerians and that whatever they are going through, we are with them. What we met on ground is totally at variance with the picture that the world was faced with. It is so important for us in Nigeria to have leaders that would dare whatever is there to show the world that we are a united strong and determined people in a nation that is forging ahead. “That is what we are giving to Nigerians instead of the PDP that is in the pangs of death and doing everything to bring Nigeria down”, Ogbeni Aregbesola stated.
The Governors later accompanied the host Governor on a solidarity visit to the popular Maiduguri Monday Market, which is the biggest market in the State, where they were given a rousing welcome by the elated market men and women.
The team also visited the Government College, Maiduguri where the Governors were introduced one after the other to the pupils who were also excited to receive the August visitors.
Last modified: March 1, 2013