The Coalition For A Better Nigeria has bestowed on the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu the award of the Grand Commander of African Politics as part of its activities marking the 30th anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola.

The event came after what the organisers described as “four years of Marathon Campaign Against A Repeat Of June 12 Election Power Play, 5 Months Preparation,” to honour the APC presidential candidate on the 2023 Valentine’s Day, on February 14.

The Coalition For A Better Nigeria, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji, identified former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paulen Tallen, former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, among others as dignitaries who joined the event to honour the APC candidate.

The Coalition, founded 2009 in lagos, is an umbrella body of Youth and Students’ organisations within and outside Nigeria.

Below is the full speech of the National Coordinator of the Coalition, Comrade Awa Bamiji:

All Protocols duely observed. Coalition for A Better Nigeria is an alliance of hundreds of the Pro – Democracy Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), National Youths’ Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) working towards A BETTER NIGERIA.

We are so much concerned about the security situation, irregularities in our electoral process, seemingly inordinate level of corruption, alarming unemployment rate, infrastructural decay and other aspects of bad Governance which the Nation has been subjected to over decades.

In line with our vision for a better Nigeria, we have been criticising various Government policies and actions constructively for over three decades. In 2007, we shouted a foul play immediately after the general election results were released by the Prof. Maurice Iwu (a.k.a Prof. Wuruwuru according to my Leader and Mentor, Prof Wole Soyinka) led INEC. Numerous publicity materials were used to spread our Gospel then.

The subsequent Appeal Tribunal verdicts and the historic exit of our one and only Prof. Wuruwuru were products of our collective struggles.

On Tuesday, 27 January, 2009, we had our inaugural National Discourse on the Electoral Reform Recommendation at Rockview Hotel, 23 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, and thereafter, copies of the Communique were filed in the Offices of the Late President Umar Musa Yar’dua, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. (Hon) Dimeji Bankole, Chief Justice of the Federation and Attorney General of the Federation for their due consideration and recommendation to the National Assembly’s Committee on the Electoral Reform.

As part of our resolutions, we decided to form a Vanguard with mass media through which we could monitor the subsequent elections in Nigeria under this body, right from the Voters’ Registration Exercise because it forms a foundation for a poor or bad electoral process. The 25th April 2009 Ekiti State Gubernatorial Re – Run Election was the first and good experience for us. Our contribution was positively felt and reported accordingly by the media, the reward for this is the monumental enthronement of the electoral mandate of the eligible voters in the State.

In the same vein, we staged successfully, a very thick mass rally to protest the poor voter’s registration exercise in Lagos State on Monday, 24 January, 2011, it emanated from the NLC Building, Yaba, moving along Ikorodu Road after our meeting with the Lagos State INEC Resident Commissioner in Yaba and terminated at the Governor’s Office, Ikeja, with full press coverage. Aftermath of this was the extra one week the INEC later added to initial scheduled Two weeks for the shaky exercise.

Our Second, Third and Fourth National Discourses were held between 21 – 22 May, 2012, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State; 28 – 29 May, 2013, at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan; 10 – 11 June, 2014, at Adetiloye Hall, Ado – Ekiti, respectively.

In line with our objectives, we had come to terms with the fact that Lagos State is a model economy not only for the other States of the Federation but for Nigeria at large.

Achieving A BETTER NIGERIA simply means taking Lagos State as an example. The story of the State would have been otherwise today, if not for provision of visionary leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his 8 years’ tenure as the Governor of Centre of Excellence and the exemplary display of continuity of his legacies by the successful administrations.

Therefore, the unique “Father of modern Lagos Award” in form of Eyo Masquerade was bestowed on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, 2017, in memory of the 23rd Anniversary of Self Declaration as the President – Elect by the Late President, Bashorun MKO Abiola in June 1994

Our 8th or Pre-Election National Discourse was held Tuesday, 12 February, 2019, inside Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, to endorse for the second term in Office and bestow Architect of Modern Nigeria Award on President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

The 12th edition or 2023 Pre – Election Discourse otherwise known as Nigerian Youths for Tinubu to bring Nigerian Youth Leaders and Civil Socities’ Representatives from different States including those in Diaspora and Abuja, together in love on Valentine’s Day in honour of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is what we are all witnessing here Today.

Therefore, we are very glad to announce to the General Public that we, Nigerians at home and in Dispora, having reached the peak of our 5-month Mobilisation/Publicity, are staging the 30th Anniversary of June 12 Election Annulment featuring Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Grand Commander of African Politics’ Awardee inside this Presidential Campaign Council Headquarters, Opposite Bank of Industry, Central Business District, Abuja, Today, Tuesday, 14th February, 2023, Valentine’s Day, under the able Chairmanship of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Executive Governor of Kaduna State, and this historic event is now parading all Progressive Leaders in the National Structures of Youth, Students, Labour, Market Women, Market Men, Legal Professionals, Artisans, and Honourable members of the Civil Socities, being televised live by the TVC, to carry our huge audience across the Globe along with our undying love for the Rave of the moment, Political General of all seasons, Great Philanthropist, World Class Chattered Accountant, Human and Physical Capacity Developer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is a Crowd Puller any day, any where and any time. Every leading Youth and Elder across the 36 States of the Federation including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and in Diaspora, have indicated interest to be part of this success story.

The TVC is a Global Television capable of doing justice to this worldspread anxiety regarding happy viewing.

The Award is a headline news itself, which is in form of a beautiful Statue of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu playing football match as Grand Commander of African Politics politically. Please, watch out for a mouth watering Award Plague appearing in complete human being colour and being craftly moulded by a World Class team of Award Makers all of whom are our reliable members of over 2 decades and it is completely made up of precious stone of Jewelry. This beautiful Award will be presented by a United States of America based most Outstanding June 12 Victim, whose his beautiful House in America was blown up by the Late Head of Military Government, General Sanni Abacha, foreign Spies during the heat of June 12 Struggles, as a monumental punishment, having noticed that the Owner was a Regular Host of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) members abroad, pressuring for actualisation of June 12 election; doubles as 2 – term Gubernatorial Aspirant in Osun State, Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK), all the way from United States of America to honour the Key Figure in the June 12 election actualisation Struggles, in this Campaign Council Headquarters, Abuja.

The Guest Speakers are Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, Executive Governor of Kano State (North) and Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State (South), to balance the equation. Topic of discussion: “Remember Lagos Security, Economy, Human And Physical Capacity Developments: Vote TINUBU Secure Future, Do Otherwise Embrace Failure”.

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is the Chief Host while Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu and Mr Simon Lalong, National Chairman, All Progressives’ Congress (APC) and Executive Governor of Plateau State who doubles as Director – General, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council respectively, are the Hosts.

The Special Guest of Honour is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu while All Members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and All APC Presidential Aspirants are Guests of Honour.

The following former Governors and close Associates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Raji Fashola, SAN, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola are Fathers of the day while Mothers of the day are the present and the incoming, by God’s grace, first and second Ladies in Nigeria, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Senator Remi Tinubu and Hajia Nana Shettima.

As a Marathon Campaigner for Tinubu 2023, we kicked off with 25th Anniversary of MKO Abiola Epetedo Self – Declaration as President – Elect in June 11, 2019, where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu got our beautifully carved Ori Olokun “Jagunmolu Ti Ile Odu’a” Award through his Representative, Barrister Oladosu Oladipo, in geniune appreciation of his Political, social and economic contributions to the Progress of Yorubaland, held inside old Epetedo Hall, Dumare Street, Lagos Island East LCDA. As One of our long standing major Partners in Nigerian Democratic Struggles but to our total surprise, TVC, out of their discredition, covered this event live, for complete 5 hours running. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF TINUBU 2023, WHICH COINCIDED WITH WISH OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

The Part I of this 5 – month Award Ceremony was organised by various Youth Organisations in Nigeria under the auspices of Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths and held on Friday, 23rd September, 2022, inside the Banquet Hall of All Progressive Congress (APC) Secretariat, Oke – Ado, Ibadan, which witnessed the bestowment of our beautifully carved “African Man of the Century Ori Olokun Award” on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu plus endorsement of 3 All Progressives’ Congress (APC) Southwest Gubernatorial Candidates of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States and Today, the Valentine’s Day Award Ceremony celebrating 30th year anniversary of June 12 election Annulment, which is being championed by the Coalition for A Better Nigeria involving various ethnic Groups in Nigeria is the conclusive part or part II of this honour otherwise known as TINUBU IS A GOAL, which is the last Plane of Salvation from the International Community of Civil Societies for all Patriotic Individuals with film belief in Peace, Unity, Progress of this Country and above all, Rotational Presidency, only as epic battle of Presidential election holds 11 days after this event.

The Calibre of People that are in attendance here has surely convinced every right thinking Individuals across the Globe of the straight direction that Presidential election would follow. “Tinubu 2023 is an idea whose time has come. Those who are opposing it are merely holding back the tide of history. The tide of history held over time, burns the fingers”. That’s according to a British Philosopher.

It’s on the record that Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, celebrated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu @ 69 inside the Banquet Hall of Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, with “Irawo Osan Ti Ile Odu’a Award”, Afternoon Star of Oduduwaland” during the September 2001 Yoruba National Day Celebration

We appreciate solidarty message from the Honourable Minster of Women Affairs, Mrs Palen Tallen, who happens to be our Regular Host in Abuja around June/August 2019 in our Struggles towards Tinubu 2023, as well as presence of Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK), now Chairman of Occasion; I as a Covener, still stand for Elderstateman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassi, voice of the downtrodden, who is unavoidably absent here but has asked me to represent him; Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Owelle Rochas Okorocha being represented by Comrade Godwin Udhedhe Imenu and Bishop Dr Paul John Paul respectively.

This increasing great list of attendance includes His Royal Highness, Oba (Barrister) R. O. Ajayi, Oba of Tapa Kingdom, Igbominan Ekiti; Chief Ugwu Virginia, President, Igbo Women Association for Asiwaju; Chief Yomi Tokoya, National Chairman, Tinubu/Shettima Support Group; Comrade Asu Mfam, Cross River State based, National PRO, Coalition for A Better Nigeria; Barrister Abuka Oma – Baba, President – General, Middle Congress; Garba Bala of Vegetable Farmers’ Association; Deborah Ajibade, Jigawa State Liasion Office; Elvana Chukwuma, Igbo National Youth Support for Asiwaju; National Automobile Technicians’ Association of Nigeria (NATA) members led by Comrades Olatunbosun Adebisi Isreal, Aminu Rasheed and Akinwande Aliu while Comrade Olarenwaju Abubakir coordinates members of the Motorcycle and Tricycle Riders’ Association.

Elkana Dabiro, a Youth Leader of repute; Joshua F. Meselo and Hon Funke Akerele are members, Civil Society Directorate of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council; Abuja Secretariat of the Coalition for A Better Nigeria are represented by Comrade Abdulkadir Sarafadeen and Alhaji Oyegbemi Rasheed. Apostle Ibukun Ogunyemi, Leaders’ Alliance; 2 Presidential Campaign Council Staff in our midst, Mallam Ibrahim Nura Kasure and Terseer Patricia Oiwodu.

Ogunsua Dixon, member, Presidential Campaign Council and former Personal Assistant to Late Chief Bola Ige. We equally have Architect Olumide Thomas of Beyond 2023 Project, Maitama; Mr Assam Samuel, member, Coalition for A Better Nigeria, Abuja; Malam Nuhu Ibrahim and S. Ibrahim Almasih, both representing Salam Great Commission and other Dignitaries.

At this juncture, I must geniunely appreciate the contributions of all our Partners in Progress, Presidential Campaign Council, TVC, Nation Newspaper, Afri Hotel, Abuja; Sylvia Green Africa Airline, our formidable Media Team members and others too numerous to mention here.

Maximum Security is equally guaranteed throughout this 3 – day event, because we don’t want to take anything for granted, most especially now, when we are in the peak period of the Campaign characterised by various attacks from the Opposition. For record, suffering arising from fuel Scarcity, Currency’s Swap and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) distribution at this Campaign period means a lot to the Nigerian Masses and it’s perfectly understood.

Why now, if not targeted at disroying the long establish reputation of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) most especially in the area of stable supply of fuel and creating Public hatred against its Presidential Candidate?. “Operation Bring APC Government Down, For The Opposition To Rise”.

There is no way history would be kind on the Criminal Initiators of these ugly moves. It’s on this note, we are backing the decision of Council of State and demanding that Federal Government of Nigeria ends fuel scarcity, currency’s swap suffering before this weekend to restore peace and tranquility in our Society and redeem her seriously battered image by the Cabal inside the Government working with Opposition to make life difficult for all of us.

They want us to embark on violent protest few days to the election. “O ye Omo to nsunkun, o ye Iya re to nre’, “we understand ourselves’. Free and fair General Elections must hold on Saturday, 25th February, 2023 and Saturday, 11th March, 2023 and the ongoing process of transition be smooth in all ramifications.

Arrival for this event was yesterday Monday, 13th February, 2023 while Tomorrow, Wednesday, 15th, February 2023, is the day of Departure. We are hereby making history by changing the narratives of Today, February 14. The main reason why we are now in the eyes of the whole World.

This is a unique Celebration of Valentine’s Day, 2nd to none in the World since Global Registration of Valentine’s Day and therefore, it is already creating its own place in the Guinness Book of Record, courtesy of our concerted efforts.

We had these similar Gatherings in 2013, inside the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, and February 2019, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, in honour of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) and President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, respectively.

Second edition of this one, by God’s grace, would witness bestowment of “Civil Societies’ Life Patron Award” on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu inside the Presidential Villa, in 2027

Greatest Nigerian Youths, for centuries to come, we will continue to dictate the direction of Election. That’s the natural law because we lead, other age Groups follow, when it comes to any Election in the whole world. 2023: let’s do it again.

This time around for our own, one and only Jagaban of the Universe, a leading member in the international Community of Civil Societies. Please, let us sing his Anthem, while standing in his honour.

“On your mandate we shall stand, Bola! (2ce), on your mandate, Bola! (2ce), on your mandate we shall stand”. What a great Honour, for whom honour is due. May World honour everyone of us in our individual lives as well.

To our Participants here, those listening to Radios, watching the Televisions and reading the news online, you are welcome to the Nigerian seat of Power, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.Wishing all of us Happy deliberation. Thank you all for your rapt attention.

Comrade Awa Bamiji
National Coordinator, Coalition for A Better Nigeria, Organiser of the event; foremost June 12 Activist; Political Strategist to the Leadership of Afenifere (2001 till date); Executive President, Bola Ige Centre for Justice; Secretary, Beko Ransome – Kuti Memorial Committee; President – General, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths and Member, Civil Society Directorate of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council

Valentine’s Day Celebration Speech in preparation for the 25th February, 2023, epic battle of Presidential Election and 11th March, Governorship Election in Nigeria, West Africa.

NOTE: We resorted to do this Programme in low key, a Press Conference, to sympathize with the suffering masses in this painful moment but chose not to edit the already prepared speech which carries the full weight of our intention.

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