Tight security at PDP rally... Party explains poor fed presence in Lagos
The flag-off of the PDP presidential campaign rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Saturday in Lagos, witnessed tight security, as everybody was thoroughly searched before entering the venue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that people were made to bring out items in their pockets by security personnel at the venue.
Within and around the venue, policemen and members of paramilitary agencies were stationed, to ensure law and order.
A police officer, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said that before Saturday and early Sunday, the bomb disposal unit of the police had searched the venue and its surroundings.
NAN reports that as soon as President Olusegun Obasanjo and his entourage entered the venue, gates to the venue, that were previously shut, were thrown for people to enter.
Just after the rally, miscreants, popularly known as “area boys”, however moved in to dispossess the people, mostly women, of their telephone hand-sets and other valuables.
The Lagos state police command had earlier announced that 15,000 policemen would be deployed for the rally.
In another development, the PDP has attributed the poor federal presence in Lagos to the control of the state by the opposition.
Speaking at the party’s presidential flag-off rally , the PDP chieftains admitted that only a PDP-led government in Lagos could liberate the people.
Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, alleged that “the opposition (ruling) party in the state, had prevented the federal government from developing Lagos”.
Anenih warned Lagosians against the consequences of not voting in the PDP in the April elections.
He said: “It is time for the state to enjoy the dividends of democracy by voting en-masse for the PDP”.
PDP National Chairman, Chief Ahmadu Ali, noted: “The time has come for the total liberation of Lagos.
“We don’t want to make the same mistakes of 1999 and 2003 again by losing Lagos to the opposition,’’ he declared.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Chief Olabode George, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South/West), had said: “The journey to winning Lagos will not be smooth, but with God, the party will certainly win’’.
George explained that “Lagos was chosen as the state for the flag-off campaign because the PDP started as a movement from the state.
“Lagos must be part of the great achievements of this great party that has taken the country from the debris of ruin to the pinnacle of where it is today,’’ he said.
However, Senate President, Ken Nnamani, advised participants at the rally to jettison personality campaigns, but to base their call for votes on issues defined by party manifestoes.
Nnamani pointed out that “godfatherism must be put aside for party loyalty as the party remains supreme.
“The PDP should be the godfather for all its candidates and not any individuals,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all states of the federation were represented at the rally by party chieftains, including governors, National Assembly members and ministers.