As campaign period for the presidential election reaches its last week, the major contenders in the February 16 polls have reportedly been making last-minute plans to ensure victory.
It was gathered that the APC, whose flag bearer is President Muhammadu Buhari, has decided to fix the grand finale of its nationwide presidential campaign rallies on Thursday, which is the last day allowed for campaign.
The rally, which is scheduled for Abuja on the Valentine’s Day, was reportedly tagged “mother of all rallies.”
A source from the ruling party was quoted as saying, “Our mother of all rallies has been fixed for Valentine’s Day. The idea is for party members to gather in the FCT in huge number to show love for our presidential candidate, President Buhari, and his running mate, Vice-President Osinbajo.
“The rally will be our own Valentine Day’s gift for these two leaders who have performed well since they assumed office in 2015.
“The rally will be used as a recap. All the achievements highlighted and promises made in previous rallies we had across the country will be re-presented to Nigerians.
“The strategy is that coming very close to the election billed for Saturday, Nigerians will still keep the promises in their hearts while approaching polling booths on Saturday.”
Similarly, it was also gathered that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had decided to take its last presidential campaign rally to Adamawa State, the home state of its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“The strategy is that being the home state of the presidential candidate, there will be a huge turnout that will make the ones we have been experiencing across the country a child’s play,” a source said.
There are also indications that the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation will engage social media and text messages reach out to voters in this last week.
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Confirming the strategies, party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “Our campaigns are going on. We are out there campaigning. We are doing everything required,” Ologbondiyan simply said.
“However, in spite of the fear of chaos in the forthcoming elections, we should not despair for as a nation, church and individuals, we can make the Lord our Shepherd. He will be there to protect us even in the valley of the shadow of death,” he added.
In another development, the APC had on Friday launched the Directorate for Contact and Mobilisation for the February 16 presidential election.
Members of the directorate have the assignment of going to the grass roots to mobilise and encourage voters to troop out en masse and vote for President Buhari on the election day.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Rotimi Amaechi, inaugurated the directorate on Friday in Abuja. He was represented by the Spokesperson of the PCC, Festus Keyamo (SAN).