By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
An Independent Campaign Council (ICC), supporting the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima has unveiled an office in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.
At the commissioning yesterday, the national coordinator, Dr Abubakar
Sanusi Gamji said the ICC is a grassroots-based initiative fully rooted in all the 21 local government areas of Kogi states.
Gamji said it is built around Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket, with a well-structured operation manned by a seasoned advisory council chaired by Emmanuel Ekele as head of Planning and Strategy Committee.
“The ICC is a multidimensional and an all-inclusive approach that has close workings with various committees for maximum engagement with the Kogi people towards generating the highest number of votes ever witnessed in the history of the state presidential election.
“The ICC is ICT compliant and is creating an advanced grassroots networking that will enhance voter confidence leading to the anticipated resounding victory for Tinubu/Shettima and the APC in 2023.
“This is the edifice from which the grassroots campaign machine will roar and reverberate across the nooks and crannies of this state to usher-in victory for the Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima and of course for the APC in the 2023 presidential election.
“In addition to this national coordination office, the ICC will be operating from different sub-offices in the LGAs. The focus of the operations of the ICC is the palpable connection with the Nigerian people at the ‘grassroots where majority of the voting populace live,” he added.
His speech read in part; “May I thank everyone here for creating time to be part of this historic event, the formal inauguration of Kogi State Structure of Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (ICC).
“We feel honoured, and it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to be part of this innovative campaign and the responsibility of taking the message of renewed hope to our people at the grassroots.
“This event, the inauguration of Zonal, Federal Constituency, Local Government Coordinators, Directors and members of the campaign Directorates is fundamental in several dimensions because, it is the implementation arm of the campaign and the vehicle that will convey the message of renewed hope to the people, the silent majority at the grassroots.
“This event therefore marks the commencement of a full blown grassroots mobilization process and door to door engagements. I therefore appeal to us to quickly devise strategies that can best deliver the votes, you are therefore expected to commence activities immediately as we have no alternative to victory in the February 2023 Presidential Election.
“Distinguished Stakeholders, members of Kogi State ICC, let me quickly put this in proper perspective, Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (ICC) is not in competition nor any battle of supremacy with the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) rather, the PCC is our mother Campaign body and we are but only subordinates and messengers of the PCC to help deliver the gospel of renewed hope to the people at the grassroots.
“Furthermore, the Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (ICC) is a platform that interfaces with the people at the grassroots level in a direct engagement, from door to door on the need to support the Tinubu/Shettima candidacy. Our duty as ICC, is working to overcome perceived obstacles and challenges against our collective interest and goal of winning the forth-coming election. Toward this end, as a campaign, we have devised innovative strategies and solutions packaged in models that addresses the challenging realities of today.
“For us in Kogi State, we will start immediately a state wide massive grassroots mobilization campaign. We have constituted a network of grassroots based volunteers, campaign leader and polling unit committees for this purpose. Let me note that as members of All Progressives Congress, we are working for all candidates of the APC in the election.
“The inauguration of the structures of Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (ICC) Kogi State today signals the deepening of this very important Regional assignment and I consider my humble self lucky to lead the process as the State Coordinator. I also congratulate all of us that are part of this process. Let us all demonstrate absolute commitment to the course of this Campaign.
‘Distinguished Dignitaries, with the array of experienced and seasoned leaders and politicians that forms the leadership and membership of the State ICC and the level of commitment demonstrated so far, we will have no challenge implementing strategies we have developed towards ensuring effective and efficient execution of our campaign mandate.
“Zonal and Local Government Coordinators members of the various Directorates, the task ahead is by no means an easy one as it is a very serious work interfacing with the people. We must therefore be prepared to make sacrifices, we must ensure best behaviours at all times and controlled temperament, we must be prepared to tolerate provocation for the task ahead.
“May I at this point express my gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the superlative performance of the new direction administration and landmark achievement in all sectors. May I also congratulate him on the recent commissioning of outstanding legacy projects in Kogi State by Mr. President. We are proud of him.
“Gentlemen of the press, our campaign as a matter of policy prohibits all forms of lawlessness and our commitment and disposition to peaceful electioneering campaign process is total and un-negotiable. We must bear in mind at all times that our principal and presidential candidates enjoys tremendous good will and popular support across board, this we have a commitment to protect. Towards this end, as Coordinators, we must ensure that our conducts and actives are in conformity with the rules of engagement at all times. We must continue to respect our party and maintain harmonious and cordial relationship with party officials at all levels.
“May I call on Zonal Coordinators to immediately inaugurate and activate various structures at their zones with .immediate effect including wards and polling units structures.
“Members of Kogi State ICC, Directors, members and leader of various Directorates, our respected leaders and stakeholders, our youths and women, I cannot thank you enough for the tremendous support and solidarity you have demonstrated so far for our principal and presidential candidate. However, I call for greater support and dedication in the days ahead.
“Fellow citizens of Kogi State, the Tinubu/Shettima Presidency is an idea whose time has come and it remains the best available option for our country at the moment.
“I have the honour and privilege to formally inaugurate the state structure of Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (ICC).
“Thank You and may God bless.
In attendance at the event are; to top government officials, women, youths and APC stakeholders from Kogi State and national.
Below are pictures captured at the event:
