Lagos East APC to Sanwo-Olu: Give us SSG

Lagos East All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders yesterday urged the governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to compensate the district with the position of Secretary to Government, if elected in next year’s election.

The elders, led by Chief Busura Alebiosu, said Sanwo-Olu is spending the remaining term meant for the Lagos East, adding that the district deserves the slot because the governor is from Lagos Central and the deputy is likely to come from the Lagos West.

A party elder, Senator Tony Adefuye, who spoke on their behalf during the “thank you” visit of the flag bearer to the district, urged him to shun vindictiveness, if he gets to power.

Although the flag bearer and the party have not officially announced the name of Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Adefuye asked from the candidate why he was not accompanied by his “deputy.”

Reminded that the man likely to emerge as the running mate has tentacles in the three districts; his father being from the West, his grandparents from the East and his mother from the Central, the Third Republic senator disagreed, insisting that Lagos East deserved special compensation.

Adefuye, who congratulated Sanwo-Olu for his victory at the primary, said he will also be congratulated when he wins the February, next year’s poll.

He added: “This term you are going to spend is a term for the East. You need to compensate us. We in the East voted for you. The votes from us equalled or were more than the votes from the West and Central. Epe voted from their son. This is understandable. Please, don’t forget us when you get in. The governor is from the Central. The deputy governor is from the West. The Secretary to Government must come from the East.”

Sanwo-Olu stormed the Funplex Resort, along CMD Road, Shangisha venue where party elders and leaders from Ikorodu, Kosofe, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki and Somolu converged. He was accompanied by his campaign manager, Tayo Ayinde, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Abdullahi Enilolobo, Dr. Tola Kasali, Bayo Ajisebutu, Sesan Daini and Gboyega Akosile.

Party leaders who received the candidate included former Deputy Governor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Second Republic Secretary to Government Olorunfunmi Basorun, former Transport Commissioner Alhaji Lanre Rasak, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Muslim Folami, former House of Assembly Speakers Yemi Ikuforiji and Joko Pelumi, former Housing Commissioner Dele Onabokun, former Agriculture Commissioner and Lagos APC Vice Chairman (East) Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya, House of Representative member Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, House of Assembly member Tunde Braimoh, Ajiroba Wale Mogaji, Ademorin Kuye, Abiodun Salam, Yetunde Arobieke, Kafila Ogbara, Goriola Ogbara, Pa Banire, Tunde Temionu, Alabi Macfoy, Yeye Gbadebo, Chief S.A Oyedele, Bode Oyedele, and Sesan Olanrewaju.

Thanking God for his success at the direct primary, Sanwo-Olu also thanked Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his support, praying that God should give him long life.

He apologised profusely to the party faithful for his inability to visit all of them before the shadow poll, citing time constraints and other challenges.

Sanwo-Olu observed that, despite the omission, the district voted for him en masse at the primary in demonstration of their love and loyalty to the party.

The former commissioner called for unity and understanding ahead of next year’s polls, urging every member to put the primary behind and face the proposed elections with optimism and enthusiasm.

He said: “For those who did not vote for me, let us embrace ourselves. APC is a team. We must work together for victory.”

Reflecting on the competitive primary, Sanwo-Olu advised those aspirants who failed to get party tickets not to see the transient setback as the end of their political career.

He said: “United we stand, disunited we fall. We need to heal the wound of defeat and give ourselves a sense of belonging. The aggrieved should be pacified. I will like to meet with those aspirants and bring all of them on board.”

Sanwo-Olu promised to set up an all-inclusive government, adding that extensive consultation and participatory process will be its hallmark.

He stressed: “Some people don’t need anything; they just want access to the governor to give their views. The members of the party will take ownership of the government. That is the government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Urging party members to intensify the door-to-door mobilisation, Sanwo-Olu added: “Tell our members and those who are not our members that a new dawn is imminent and that people should get ready with their PVCs. It is not going to be a campaign of mouth. We should reach out to the poor people at the grassroots in Alimoso, Badagry, Ibeju-Lekki, Kosofe and Mile Two, and let them savour dividends of democracy.

“If you walk with people, you will walk far. I want to walk far. The greatest dividend is good governance. Around 2005 or 2006, I was described as “sellable.” I am a product you can sell.”

Ayinde said: “Our in-coming governor of Lagos State has come to say thank you to you. Despite the short time and the fact that he could not go round Lagos State before the primary, you voted for him. He is thanking you for what you are going to do for him in 2019. He appreciates your loyalty and steadfastness to the party. “

Basorun, a lawyer and retired banker, charged the members to gird their loins, stressing that the battle must be won net year.

He said: “We are going to the field to work and succeed. Sanwo-Olu has told us what we should do. As from today, let us do away with euphoria. Let us be prepared to work. Let there be unity. I am for Paul, you are for Apollo. That should not happen.”

Turning to Sanwo-Olu, the party elder said: “You have to be in the party. The state governor don’t attend the state exco of the party. They don’t attend meetings. That is where to get the message and feedback. Find time to attend the state exco meeting.

“When we were in government, every week, we went to the people, we held meetings. God will guide you. Try to hold a meeting with the APC leaders from the East under the leadership of Chief Alebiosu. Some issues are better discussed at that level.”

Seriki-Bamu advised Sanwo-Olu not to take any action, based on lies and rumours, adding that these vices are associated with politics. He also advised the flag bearer not to abandon the developmental programmes being implemented in Epe by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Seriki-Bamu also urged Sanwo-Olu not to forget the elders and leaders who work for his victory after the election.

He stressed: “I thank God for you. I also thank Asiwaju Tinubu. When you get there, don’t forget us. Tinubu was accessible. So, try to make yourself accessible. If people work for you and you turn against them, people will not be happy. If anybody says anything to you, don’t act on lies and rumours. Call the person and investigate the allegations. Don’t forget Epe. Don’t abandon the projects going on in Epe.”