The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, returned to Imo on Tuesday, three months after his controversial “Bala blu” gaffe at a town‑hall meeting with businessmen and other stakeholders in the state. The former Lagos governor had made the slip while trying to explain his refusal to attend town‑hall debates on certain broadcast stations. Within 24 hours, critics and comedians had remixed his phrase “A town hall, different from balablu blu blu bulaba” into skits and music beats. Although Dele Alake, the director of strategic communication for Tinubu’s campaign, claimed the viral video was doctored, subsequent investigations confirmed that Tinubu indeed uttered the remark in Owerri, the Imo State capital, while discussing plans to boost the country’s economy and create a thriving business environment.
Three months after the incident, Tinubu resumed his campaign in Imo and was greeted by a massive crowd at a rally held at Dan Anyiam Stadium. He was accompanied by President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, governors Hope Uzodinnma (Imo), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Babajide Sanwo‑Olu (Lagos), Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo‑Agege, APC Deputy Chairman (South) Emma Enekwu, former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, and APC National Woman Leader Betta Edu.
During his speech, Tinubu praised the president’s honesty, integrity and dependability, promising to continue those “incorruptible and straightforward” attributes. He assured Nigerians that he would not disappoint them and pledged to work assiduously to advance President Buhari’s legacies, especially in infrastructure, agriculture, and the road and railway networks. Tinubu also vowed to invest further in education, citing the president’s upgrade of two state institutions to universities, and to help make Imo a tourist destination. “We will strengthen and promote peace and unity in the state and confront violence and inhumanity, because that is the only way growth and development can be achieved,” he said.
In a related development, President Buhari reiterated his confidence that the APC candidate would become the next president, God willing. He noted that he had accompanied Tinubu to the state to introduce him to the people and expressed gratitude for the massive rally turnout. Earlier, the president had paid a courtesy call on traditional rulers at the state council chamber, where he canvassed support for the election.
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