Ikimi to Tinubu: ‘How much money did you have in 1999?’, as Tambuwal, Wike, Secondus, Obi, Okowa, others canvass votes for Obaseki

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, has challenged the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to tell Nigerians how he made his money.
Ikimi, speaking at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mega rally in Benin, Edo State on Tuesday, declared that he knew the financial status of Tinubu in 1998 before he became Lagos State governor and in 1999 when he was elected governor.
Ikimi was reacting to a video by Tinubu in which he told Edo people not to vote for Governor Godwin Obaseki, the PDP candidate, on Saturday.
Ikimi said: “My dear people of Edo State, the election of Saturday is between light and darkness. Obaseki represents light. Tinubu and others in APC represent darkness. In Edo, we have resolved to vote for light and on Saturday, Governor Obaseki will be reelected, by God’s Grace.
“I watched Tinubu early today talking about Edo election and democracy. You carry money in bullion vans to destroy democracy and you are talking about democracy for the people. Which democracy?
“Ambode (former Lagos State governor) performed creditably well in Lagos but because he was not ready to put everything in your pocket, you vowed to remove him. Everybody begged you, even President Buhari begged you to allow Ambode go for another term. You refused and you are now talking about democracy. Which democracy? Democracy of your pocket?
“Edo is not Lagos. How much money did you have in 1998 and 1999? Nigerians want to know. Today, you move billions of naira all over the place. How did you make this money? On this Edo election, Tinubu, you have failed. Obaseki will defeat your candidate on Saturday and there is nothing your money can do about it.
“We have people on our side and nobody will be allowed to rig on Saturday. We don’t want a monster in Edo. Tinubu should mind his business in Lagos”.
Ikimi gave the assurance that victory for Obaseki in Edo Central would be 95 per cent, adding that the Esan Agenda was to support Obaseki for re-election.
He urged them not to be afraid of their opponents.
At the rally were Obaseki, Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) and Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom).
Others were PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Vice Presidential Candidate of PDP in the 2019 election, Peter Obi, former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and others.
Wike, who told the electorate to monitor their votes ‘bumper to bumper’, said “everybody must be vigilant on Saturday”.
“This election has been won by Obaseki. INEC will announce Obaseki as winner of the election and he will be governor from now till 2024. Security agents have told us they will be neutral. We believe them but we will remain vigilant. INEC told us the election will be free and fair. We also believe them but we will remain vigilant.
“The end of godfatherism in Nigerian politics will start from Edo State on Saturday. What happened in Rivers State must be repeated in Edo. Follow your votes bumper-to-bumper”, he said, amid cheers from the mammoth crowd.
Okowa, in his address, urged Edo people not to allow APC rig the election.
Tambuwal said: “They want to bring bullion vans to buy votes and rig election on Saturday. Don’t allow them. No intimidation from security agents. I will be here during the election. Cast your votes and ensure your votes count. Vote for Obaseki”.
Obi wondered why somebody referred to as a thief and cultist was chosen as the APC candidate. “Don’t vote for a thief. Reject him and his party with your votes on Saturday. Vote for Obaseki because he is a performer”.
Secondus thanked the American government for its determination to revoke visas already given to election riggers.
“Can you imagine Tinubu making a broadcast. Is he from Edo? His expansionist tendencies must be crushed on Saturday. Edo people will never allow that. You must punish APC, Tinubu, Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu on Saturday with your votes”.
PDP State Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, urged supporters not to be afraid, but come out en-masse and vote for Obaseki.
He gave the assurance that their votes would count.
Similarly, Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman, Edo governorship campaign council, and chairman PDP South South, said that having gone round the 192 wards to campaign, the voice of the people was clear.
He noted that those who came to Edo to join `one man’ to determine the fate of the Edo people should have a rethink.
He stressed that evidenced from the campaigns, the people of Edo had resolved to vote and ensure that their votes count.
He also said that those talking about fabled might should realise that the PDP and its candidate “have the support of God and the people’’.
Senator Matthew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District, said that it was evident that the PDP candidate enjoyed the support of Edo people.
He noted that “when the people speak, it is the voice of God”, adding that Edo people were clear in their choice of who to vote for.
Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who spoke as Edo North Senatorial District leader, said that it was unfortunate that a son from the district was working to derail the wheel of development in the state.
He urged the people to remain with Obaseki for continuous development across the state.
Obaseki thanked his brother governors and people of the state for standing with him.
He promised to do more for the people of the state from now till 2024.
“On Saturday, we are going to defeat godfatherism. Godfatherism in Nigeria will end with Edo election”.
At the rally, members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) vowed to ensure Obaseki’s reelection on Saturday.