The crowd was massive. The feeling was ecstatic. The atmosphere was electric. There were more people adorning the white and orange caps and headgears outside the Police College field more than those inside, yet the field was packed full, reports thegazellenews.com.
Indeed, the Abdullah Enilolobo led the Mandate Movement proved its huge grassroots support on Wednesday, 12 June, 2024.
It was a show of strength and challenge thrown at the other of The Mandate Movement led by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa and Cardinal James Odunmbaku.
Saying Ikeja, the capital city of Lagos was on a lockdown will be an understatement.
According to the leader of the Movement, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo, the event was a three-in-one celebration: the commemoration of June 12 Democracy Day; the first year in office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Mandate Movement.
Speaking at the event, Enilolobo congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of Democracy Day. He emphasized the importance of the day as a reminder of the nation’s collective commitment to upholding the principles of freedom, justice, and equality.
“Democracy Day is a reminder of our collective commitment to upholding the principles of freedom, justice, and equality. We honor the efforts of all citizens in strengthening our democracy and fostering a brighter future for Nigeria,” he said.
He went on to celebrate the achievements of the past year and also paid tribute to the enduring spirit of democracy in Nigeria.
“We’ve proved to the whole world that the Enilolobo led Mandate Movement is the authentic one. Look at the crowd, and this is just,” Ademola Olaitan, who attended the event from Kosofe told this medium.
Another member, Chris Onyekwere told thegazellenews.com that the Obasa group are pretenders and mere duplicate of the authentic group.
“We’ve proved to them that they’re mere duplicate. Let them mobilize as we have done today. This is a challenge to them,” said Onyekwere who came all the way from Ajegunle to attend the rally.
There was a huge crowd of attendees from Agege and one of them, Ajoke Omoradewun said, “this is where we belong and we’re not afraid to publicly identify with this group. It’s the group that really love us at the grassroots.
“The leaders of the duplicate group only believe in using coercion and intimidation to lure people to their side. But we won’t and can’t be intimidated”.
