By Edith Igbokwe, Damilola Kushimo,
Saheed Afolabi and Motolani AbdulGafar
A random check on the perception of low income workers and artisans in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area to the controversy over plans of former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to run for the presidency come 2023 returned a verdict of massive victory at the polls.
Of the 40 persons who participated in the random public opinion poll, 37 pledged to vote for him if given the opportunity to fly his party’s flag.
ECHONEWS editors had discussed the less positive perception of the National Leader in the country’s buzzing social media and were curious to find out if same was true of citizens with lesser capacity to use social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or new media technologies such as Whatshapp and Snapchat.
No fewer than 10 artisans such as carpenters, hair dressers, bricklayers, shop keepers and similar tradesmen were chosen in each of the three administrative units which make up the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area for the exercise.
The units are Oshodi-Isolo LGA, Isolo Local Council Development Area and Ejigbo Local Council Development Area.
Most of the respondents declared support for the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) as campaign for his presidential ambition began to gather momentum.
Already, his loyalists and various groups have started canvassing for his support in the 2023 election though Asiwaju has not officially declared his ambition to contest.
In opinion polls conducted by ECHONEWS on the people’s views about Tinubu’s candidacy to run for president, the residents of Oshodi-Isolo LGA are throwing their weight behind Tinubu while urging him to contest for the post in 2023.
According to them, Tinubu, based on his antecedents, remains the manthat will turn things around for good for Nigerian citizens.
They believe he has the capacity and knowledge to solve the problems of the country and are ready to join his campaign trail.
As gathered by ECHONEWS, the residents of Oshodi-Isolo are ready to vote for Tinubu if he contests in 2023 as many of them even said they are ready to campaign for him at the grassroots. (To watch the Vox Pop, click on www.echonews.ng).
OSHODI RESIDENTS
Okada rider, Oladele: My 100 percent vote will go for Tinubu if he contests for the president and I will make sure that I canvass massively for him because he is the Messiah sent to Nigeria. He is the man that we need now, people should vote for Tinubu comes 2023.
Hairdresser, Elizabeth Aderokun: I want to use the opportunity to implore all irrespective of tribe to convince Tinubu to contest because he is the man that can solve our problem. We all want him, he should be ready to contest and we will make sure that we campaign for him so that he can turn our country to a better place for us.
Kunle Olufemi: It is a good thing for Tinubu to contest for the position of president in 2023. He should come on board because it is long over due. He is our leader who is capable and qualified for the position. As the former governor of Lagos State, he did a lot of things that people could see and he carries people along in decision making without neglecting anyone.
Head teacher, Local Government Primary School, Orile Oshodi, Mr. Olufemi Ajayi: Asiwaju has the ability, capacity and vigour to assume the position of the president. During his time as the Lagos State governor, he changed the retirement level of the teachers from level 14 to 17 and I know that if he comes on board as the president, improved school system will be achieved and the Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR) will be improved.
Oshodi Market Trader, Mrs. Yesimi Muhammad: I won’t cast my vote in loss, as for me, it is Asiwaju that I will vote for if he contests in 2023. As the former governor of Lagos State, he did not stress we marker, why won’t I vote for him as president, I will even canvass for him so that all the people close to me will also vote for him because he is a good candidate for the position.
Alhaja Adeyemo: Tinubu is the father of all fathers and he is due to occupy the position of president. If he contests in 2023, we Oshodi people are solidly behind him to make sure he gets the seat.
Tailor Azeez Ajala: I will vote for Tinubu because he is our front man in All Progressives Congress (APC), no other person match him.
Barber Ajibola: Tinubu is the only man that Yorubas can support if he contests for president and we will give him all our votes.
Barber Oluwatobiloba: Tinubu has done a lot for the Yorubas and the only thing we can give him back is to support him with our votes if he contests the 2023 presidential election.
ISOLO RESIDENTS
Amosun Olanrewaju: I reside at No.10, Bariyu Street, Isolo. Whenever I hear Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu what comes to my mind is his developmental efforts in Lagos. What he did when he was the governor of the state between 1999-2007 and after he left office and till now. It is very known to the common man on the street what he has done for people by bringing out the Vice President of this country, Ambode and the incumbent governor. You can see that he laid a good foundation for Lagos which his successors are building on. On his aspiration to be the president of this country, I believe he is qualified to be the president of this country. Mere looking at the fact that he also singlehandedly supported Muhammadu Buhari to win the seat after three attempts, I believe he is qualified. I believe he will perform better if given the opportunity to lead the country.
Furniture Maker, Sikiru Adebule: The person that we believe is capable and fit to stand against and defeat any candidate from any other party is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has the charisma. He will defeat any candidate brought against him. Considering other aspirants from Southwest, there is no one like him, no one has the weight like him. He has the experience and all it takes. He’s the one that we believe in. If the party puts him forward as the candidate, we will support him and canvas for him. We will go to the campaign ground to support him. I’m appealing to fellow Yorubas to support and vote him.
Muhammed Nasiru: I stay at Fatade Street in Ishagatedo. I work at Primrose Specialist Hospital. Asiwaju as a person has all it takes and I am going to stand by him because he has produced a lot of politicians, many governors, ministers and he knows what it takes to win an election. He has produced so many technocrats that we didn’t even know before he brought them. I believe so much in him. He can lead this country.
Deaconess Oyewunmi Oyewole, Chairperson, NASHCO and LASCOTA, Isolo LCDA: Tinubu is trying, he’s a leader that has listening ears to whatever his followers are saying. But my prayer is that God help him with his aspiration. May God support him. But as soon as he gets there, he should ensure that all his programmes and plans for the tradesmen and artisans get to the grassroots. We pray that God help him, He will never forsake him, God will give him more wisdom and understanding to lead us right.
Barrister Boladale Habeebulahi: I am a lawyer and I have my office at No 9, Holy Saviour Road. I know Asiwaju Bola Ahmed to be a leader that has leadership skills, a leader that has the wherewithal to rule this country. He has leadership qualities to be in charge of Nigeria. We believe, based on his antecedents, that he will perform if he’s given the opportunity because we have seen that leadership traits when he was the governor of Lagos State. He performed and tried his best. Even after he left the office, his successors also continued with the legacy he left when he was in office. So, going by his antecedents, especially as a former governor of Lagos State, we believe in him that he will perform better. That’s my humble opinion.
Adewunmi Oladimeji Julius (Barber): I will support and vote for him because he is a man of the people. He is a man that is kindhearted. He has done a lot for the people.
Mr. Adeniyi Aluko, Civil Servant: Of course, I’ll support Tinubu for President. He is my candidate. He has all it takes to be the president. In southwest, he has no match. I will work for him. He is my candidate for president. I believe so much in his capabilities.
Sesan: BAT is a Nationalist and philanthropist. Asiwaju is the only man among the former governors that ruled between 1999 and 2007 and still remains powerful and politically relevant in Nigeria till date. It is not just a coincidence, he worked for it by mentoring others. Tinubu is eminently qualified to be the president of this country. He has paid his dues as a former governor of the most populous state in Africa. He is a leader and statesman. He is a detribalised Nigerian who fought for democracy and used all the power in his possession to create leaders not only in Lagos but throughout Nigeria. He believes in rule of law and human development.
EJIGBO RESIDENTS
Trader, Oluwapelumi Olawuyi: If Tinubu decides to contest in 2023, she will vote for him because of the benefit it has to the Yorubas and how the youths will benefit from it.
Trader, Bukola Ogunti: Tinubu is a great and good person, I will mobilize people to vote for him massively if he decides to contest the presidential election in 2023 and he should do what the people wants when he gets there.
The CEO of Greenwish logistics, Yusuf Adeyemi: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a leader of leaders who have sacrificed a lot for the progress of the country and he hopes, he becomes the president in 2023 because if he make up his mind to contest, he will vote for him.
Dry Cleaner, Gafar Alalade: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man of honour and he will surely get his vote if he decides to contest the presidential election in 2023.
Farmer, Olanrewaju AbdulRazak: Tinubu is a philanthropist who has changed the lives of multiple Nigerians for good and he will vote for him and hopes he helps in solving the issues the country is facing.
Vulcanizer, Kazeem Ojuolape: Tinubu is his man and his vote for Tinubu is non negotiable because he believes Tinubu will solve the unemployment issues, lack of electricity and ensure that affordable housing units is provided to Nigerians.
Butcher, Korede Balogun: Tinubu is a leader who laid the blueprint for the development Lagos is presently enjoying and we will vote for Tinubu because he is the best person who can represent the Yorubas and we should all stand with him wholeheartedly to fulfill his ambition for a greater Nigeria.
Lateef Kamoru, artisan: He has been a dedicated follower of Tinubu right from Alliance for Democracy (AD) to All Progressive Congress (APC). Our vote for him is not negotiable, he is our leader and on his mandate we stand.
Fashion designer, Sanni Adekunle: Tinubu is a good man and we will beat our chest that we will vote for him massively because we believe he is the best man for the job.
Electrician, Samson Surakat: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings growth and massive development to anywhere he is and we will follow him by voting for him.
BAT is a great person and we are seeing the evidence of good leadership in Lagos State, we will vote for Tinubu come 2023 by the grace of God because he has done great things worthy of him to become the president of Nigeria.
Real estate agent, Adeoye Olumuyiwa: Tinubu is a kind-hearted person who has mentored so many people to greater height, he said, he had always wanted Tinubu to run for president and he will surely vote for him.
Elder Felix Ojo: To me, Bola Tinubu is my man. I so much like him with the way he handles things and I really wish that he wins the presidential election in 2023. I believe that when he gets to the post he will be able to correct the abnormalities of ethnicity, insecurity and the like in the nation.
Alhaji Adewale Adelabu: Since I started following up on the achievements of Asiwaju, I have come to realise that he is a Godly, friendly and focused political leader. His achievements so far in Lagos State are countless as he has contributed immensely towards the development of the state. A good example is our LCDA, it wouldn’t have been established without his support.
Mrs. Motunrayo Olaoye: As for me, I got to know him when I joined the professional marketers association and he has been so good to us because he usually empowers us from time to time. He has really supported some of us without materials to work. But my advice to him is that he should also reach out to individuals because not everyone will be involved in an association. Someone like me if not for PMA I wouldn’t know his impact the slightest.
Wasiu Oladosu: I like Tinubu because he is humble. My utmost prayer is that he wins the election in 2023 so that he will continue to help the less privileged nationwide.
Balogun Oluwaseun: On my own part, I have no testimony to give about Tinubu because I don’t have anything related to him. But, from what people say about him, he is a man who has his own achievements and shortcomings as a normal human being.
Taiwo (Uncle TJ Photo): As for me I don’t really want to critisise Asiwaju for celebrating his birthday because even we that don’t have much celebrate to show gratitude to God but my concern is that he should spend less on the celebration and use the remaining to help the people because sincerely in this period there are a lot of people suffering.
Mrs. Kehinde Animashaun: I take Asiwaju as a godly father. I pray he continues to advance without stress in all his endeavours and I pray that he gets elected as the president of Nigeria in 2023 because he is a capable man. My wish is that he helps us more because I, in particular, am a woman with children who is a breadwinner of the family. I have to borrow money to buy charcoal in larger quantity before I can feed my children and myself. So, I hope that Asiwaju would help our charcoal association goal all over the country because not all household uses it again.
Adekunle Adenekan: To me, Asiwaju was a great Governor during his tenure and he served Lagos State wholeheartedly which is why I usually respect him. But on my own individual part, I really can’t say that I have benefitted anything from him but thank God our LCDA Chairman is a working one which is the grace we benefit right from the tenure of Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan. All I want is that Asiwaju should as well contribute to Welder and Grinding Machine Association which is where I belong.
Mr. Yusuf Muftau: To be sincere, I benefitted from the empowerment of Asiwaju and with that I have always been thankful because the machine he gave me is what I’m using for survival presently. So, I will at all times vote for him in whatever post he contests for because I believe he will help more people when he gets the opportunity.
