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SWAGA 23: We Will Rather Vote For Osinbajo Or Fashola, Not Tinubu- Nigerians React To Launch Of Presidential Bid For APC Stalwart
Nigerians have reacted to the official launch of the South West Agenda 2023 (SWAGA 23) in Lagos, saying that the movement, if serious about its ambition should rally round ensuring that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo or Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, emerges as the Presidential Candidate in the next elections.
Recall that on Thursday, a grand ceremony launching SWAGA 2023, a political machinery to push for the perceived presidential ambition of former Lagos governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was launched at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Lagos.
Although Tinubu, who is still recuperating from a knee surgery in London has yet to officially declare his interest to run for the highest office of the land, Thursday’s event confirmed that his protégés and his foot soldiers alike have the nod to proceed with laying the foundation for his eventual declaration.
Top guns from the APC led by the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as well as House of Assembly, House of Representatives, former lawmakers and party faithful graced the event to show their solidary towards ensuring that Tinubu emerges as the APC Presidential flag bearer for the 2023 election.
Shortly after the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who flagged off the event, took to his social media handle to elaborate on the event.
He wrote, “We attended the formal launch of the Southwest Agenda 2023 (SWAGA 23) in Ikeja. SWAGA 23 is a political movement being led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye and was formed based on the belief in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and political philosophy that prioritizes the development of human capital and economy.”
But the governor’s post sparked instant reaction from Nigerians most of whom disagreed with the ideals of the movement, saying the campaign should be supporting a younger candidate with the likes of either of Fashola or Osinbajo and not Tinubu.
See Some Reactions Below:
Thomasjoe99: “But wait o! Why can’t SWAGA rally round Osinbajo or Fashola. These are great guys with strong personalities.”
Olumaiye: “SWAGA should support Prof. Yemi Osinbajo if it means well for Nigeria. Osinbajo is a better candidate than Tinubu without intent to malign anyone.”
official_henryevans: “So out of all the available options in this country your lagosians decides to choose Tinubu? Like has this nation not seen enough already?? I pray this agenda dies on arrival.”
yemmy2023: “Mr Governor.. PYO is the game changer for APC in 2023 not Asiwaju.”
tundearikawe: “Why can’t we just be sincere with each other for once? Use a younger candidate.. Tinubu has tried, let a younger candidate run the race.”
lawal_olugbenga: “We shall not vote for your BAT.”
valentine_ogene: “I don’t have to trust in any party, in as much as our vote doesn’t count because the likes of Tinubu and co have spoiled our system, I’ll still cast my vote to the rightful person, if APC brings out someone better than Tinubu, I’ll vote for the person, but I say a big NO to these agenda, do have a nice day.”
The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.
The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.
The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.
The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.
With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.
A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.
The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.
“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.
“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”
The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.
The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.
“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.
The residents who bared their minds in a chat with newsmen said critical infrastructure in the ancient town had been in a downward trend for a long time, but the narratives have changed since the inception of the present administration.
A resident of Tam-Balogun, one of the roads under construction in the town, Mr. Oduwole Lawrence, recalled the harrowing experience he and his neighbours went through in the past, especially during the rainy season, adding that with the construction of the road, life would return to normal for those living in the area.
“The government is doing well, and I love everything they are doing about the roads because roads are one of the amenities people need to move forward.
“Before now, each government had its own plan for infrastructure, but this time around, in a year or two, Ijebu-Ode has developed significantly regarding roads,” he said.
Another resident of the area, Miss Dayo Oluwaremilekun, noted that with the reconstruction of the road by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, the fear of flooding during the rainy season is over.
“Honestly, to be candid, the construction of this road is a great relief to those of us living in this area because in the past, especially during the rainy season, we could not go out, and this affected our movement. But now we thank God we can walk freely; we want to thank the state government for this,” she said.
At the 12.5-kilometer Obalende-Abeokuta road, a resident, Alhaji Kehinde Moshood Sanni, thanked Governor Abiodun for embarking on the reconstruction of the road, which he said had been in a deplorable condition for a long time, urging the governor to continue with his good works.
Similarly, Ojoye Ademolu, another resident of the Obalende-Abeokuta road, who could not hide his excitement about the ongoing reconstruction of the road, said that the road, when completed, would bring joy to the people of the area.
“We are happy; we have been suffering prior to this particular time. Now, we are glad that the road is being reconstructed. All we ask for is for the contractor to hasten up and complete it on time so that we can be even happier,” he said.
Speaking on the progress of work done so far on the roads, the site engineer for Fort Hermon, the construction company handling the projects, Michael Umeh, said work has been intensified on the 0.85-kilometer Tam-Balogun road, 1.1-kilometer Osinubi road, and the 12.5-kilometer Obalende-Abeokuta road.
He said clearing the project site, excavation, stone base work, and construction of drainage systems have been completed and are ready for asphalting, noting that rain is the major constraint impeding the speed of work
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement, said the individual, Umar Mohammed, a native of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna,
The police admitted that the fellow was screened and admitted into the stadium as an All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter, wearing the standard campaign T-shirt and carrying banners bearing the images of the President and Governor Uba Sani like every other supporter admitted into the stadium.
The police explained that the individual, out of excitement, breached the protocol and jumped into the restricted arena out of curiosity to catch a closer look at the President. The police said the fellow was immediately blocked and arrested by the security team.
The police said the fellow was thoroughly searched and no incriminating item was found in his possession.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has warned mischief makers and members of the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods or politicising the incident.
The commissioner said the matter would be further investigated.
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