2023: Don’t mention Funke Akindele’s name around me – Tinubu warns APC supporters

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has warned those campaigning for him not to mention the name of Funke Akindele, Nollywood actress and PDP’s Lagos gubernatorial running mate, in his presence.

Tinubu rebuked his supporters during a campaign held in Lagos on Wednesday.

At the political outing, his supporters had sung a campaign song. They described Funke Akindele as a political ‘ant’ compared to incumbent Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“Who is Funke Akindele before Sanwo-Olu of Lagos? She is an ant,” the supporters sang.

But Tinubu fumed: “Don’t even bother to mention her name in my presence. It is an insult. It is disrespectful.”

Hold Lagos govt responsible

Funke Akindele, has called out the Lagos state government over the recent flood scare.

This comes after several warning signals were sent out on a predicted flood about to hit the state.

Akindele tagged the state Government irresponsible for not declaring a state of emergency, especially in the riverine communities.

She took to her Instagram page and wrote, “After speaking with people in several wards across the state, I feel compelled to share my concern about the safety of Lagosians in all areas of the state.

“The Lagos state government put out a flood warning for several parts of the state. But it is yet to announce a state of emergency or share a detailed response plan in the event that flooding endangers the lives of citizens. The fact that Lagos state has not declared a state of emergency, especially in the riverine communities, is extremely irresponsible. And puts so many Lagosians at risk. Our riverine communities do not have functional gutters, flood canals built to channel flood water are filled with silt & blocked by refuse and our water ways are overrun by water hyacinths. It is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Better than campaign

Funke Akindele futher noted that securing the lives of Lagosians is more better that campaigning. “While campaigning is important, securing the lives and properties of Lagosians takes precedence. In light of the present flooding in other parts of the country and the advance warning delivered by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NMA), it is imperative that the Lagos state government ensures that citizens are protected by declaring an ecological state of emergency.”

She advised that agencies should focus on unclogging flood canals in order to ease flow of the water.

Akindele said, “I would advise the state government to redirect its agencies, LASTMA and LAWMA to focus on unclogging the major flood canals. So rainwater can be safely redirected out of the city & temporarily relocate citizens already displaced by the flooding in parts of the state until the flood waters disperse and work to decongest drainage channels in all densely populated areas before we face another flood disaster.”

She continued, “Emergency numbers should be broadcasted on all state media channels. Citizens should be educated on present emergency protocols and encouraged to report any missing persons or damage to properties. We cannot in good faith ask our citizens to care about elections when their lives are at risk. I strongly urge Governor Sanwoolu and the Lagos state government to intervene and mitigate a potential tragedy.”