While some political parties are getting more endorsements and receiving new members to their fold, others have been making efforts to sustain their campaigns in the face of one form of distraction or the other
LAGOS: Pa Fasoranti, Shehu Sani, others back Sanwo-Olu
LAGOS State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is gunning for re-election has chided his opponents , saying governance is not for newbies, as the economy cannot be managed by someone who lacks the requisite experience in governance and leadership.
The governor made the remarks in an interview with Nigeria Info FM yesterday.
He said that he is the most qualified of all the candidates.
The governor has been receiving endorsements from all quarters ahead of Saturday’s election.
Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti has called on the people of Lagos State to come out en-masse and vote for Sanwo-Olu.
Pa Fasoranti said there was a need for continuity in Lagos State.
He said he believes that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president would benefit Lagos State more if the state has an APC governor to complement whatever the president has for the state.
Pa Fasoranti, who spoke in a statement signed by his Administrative Secretary, Chief Oladiran Adesua, said Lagos, as the economic nerve centre of the country and by extension of Yorubaland, deserved the very best.
In a veiled reference to the LP candidate, Pa Fasoranti said Afenifere was not in support of certain individuals threatening the corporate existence of the country because their preferred candidates lost in the February 25 presidential election.
Also,young Nigerians in the Diaspora have thrown their weight behind the re-election of the governor.
Speaking at a teleconference yesterday from his base in the United States of America, the Chairman of the Houston chapter of the APC-USA, Dr Emmanuel Abiodun Dada, urged Lagosians not to allow the state to fall into the hands of “unseeded elements, renegades who have no experience about governance and who are strange to the timeless tradition and heritage of Lagos”.
Dada, a chemical engineering professor, said Lagos is the most developed among the 36 states of the federation. He said: “In terms of security, protection of the dignity of labour and human rights defence, Lagos is miles ahead of many of the 36 states. We must never allow these gains to fizzle out. We must defend it. We must protect it. We must cherish it. You will not know the value of what you have until you lose it. This is a battle we must fight; this is a battle we must win.
“We cannot hand over the biggest economy in Nigeria to someone unknown to labour, strange to hard work, someone who has never employed a single person in his life, someone who does not know our history, does not understand our language and culture. A strange fellow whose antecedents were that he took part in violent protests and led the destruction of properties in Lagos.”
Similarly, an interest group, the Omoluabi Renaissance Movement (ORM) has also endorsed the candidature of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat. The group made the endorsement immediately after an emergency meeting held in Ikeja, Lagos.
It said the duo, running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has exhibited a high sense of responsibility and accountability in their first term and have executed legacy projects which can be stalled with the posturing of “half-baked candidates’ jostling for the Alausa Glass House.
The endorsement of the duo was contained in a statement by the ORM Convener, Dr. Opeyemi Ade-Ibijola and the Director of Communications, Rotimi Opeyeoluwa. The body stressed that Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat have exhibited the uncommon Omoluabi ethos in the last four years of their stewardship to Lagosians and have proven that good governance is both possible and attainable.
In another development, Wale Jafojo, son of a former Lagos deputy governor and Dayo Israel, the National Youth Leader of the APC, have also backed Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid.
Jafojo has urged youths in Ikeja to come out in their numbers and make their votes count for Sanwo-Olu’s continuity in office. He made the call at a gathering organised by him, tagged: Jafojo Youth Support for Sanwo-Olu, which was held at the historic Oluwaleimu Youth Centre in Ikeja on Tuesday.
Also, acampaign support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC), No Alternative to Tinubu 2023 (NATT 2023), has said Lagosians should re-elect Sanwo-Olu.
The National Coordinator, Vincent Uba, speaking with reporters yesterday in Lagos, said Sanwo-Olu should be allowed to complete the good work he had started.
Thanking Nigerians for voting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on February 25, the group said Lagos State development template created by Tinubu had become so workable, reliable and usable that many states in Nigeria were asking for it.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu is on a roller coaster of good governance, using the template of his teacher as a good student of history that he is. He has shown commitment, capacity and capability in steering the affairs of Lagos State in a progressive direction, despite the enormous challenges.”
The former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has expressed excitement over what is playing out in Lagos politics, especially between the LP and the APC.
Sani said he is backing the re-election bid of the APC candidate, Sanwo-Olu. He said though the recent presidential election results revealed the overt threats from the LP in Lagos State, it was time the voters shun all forms of sentiments and consider experience; capacity and ability to work and deliver on the campaign promises of Sanwo-Olu.
Fielding questions from reporters about the contest and why, as a PDP member, he decided to support Sanwo-Olu of the APC for the Lagos governorship, instead of the PDP candidate, Senator Sani said: “It’s true that I am a member of the PDP, but from the PDP’s performance during the presidential election in Lagos, it obvious that the battle is between the APC and the LP. For me, the leadership record of Sanwo-Olu is inspiring. I’m not from Lagos, but Lagosians should vote for him.”
The Executive Chairman of Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou said Muslims are backing Governor Sanwo-Olu for a second term for the continuity of his developmental projects . He said the Muslim community cannot sacrifice the landmark achievements the state has recorded over the years on the altar of religious bias.
Sanwo-Olu deserves second term, says cleric
Centre for Righteous Living, a faith based non-governmental organisation has backed the re-election bid of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
A statement by the Centre’s National President, Rev. Solomon Adegbolagun, said there was the need to join other well-meaning residents of Lagos across faith and social groups to back the governor, who ‘’has been very active, responsive and diligent in his mandate to the people of Lagos State in almost the four years.
The statement said: “In the last four years, Governor Sanwo-Olu has proved himself to be a man who we can trust with the administration of Lagos State. He has been able to maintain peace and security, as well as religious harmony in the state.”
“His works in infrastructure, in education, health, road, transportation and employment generation speak volumes. It is on this note that we believe he still has a lot to contribute to the growth and development of the state, and an unbroken second term would help him to achieve this.
“In specific terms we salute the governor’s efforts in his giant stride on the recently inaugurated iconic projects in the state. These are the Imota Rice Mill, Light Rail (Blue Line), Lekki Deep Sea Port and JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, the building of over 308 roads, upgrade and development in the educational sector, the repositioning of the health sectors through the building of more health centres at the grassroots, and a free health policy for children below 18 years and adults above 65 years of age.”
Noting that all these sterling achievements put Governor Sanwoolu into an advantage ahead of others, the Christian leader called on all the members of his group, Christians and all eligible voters to come out in large number to vote for the performing governor, and his party APC at all levels.
He expressed the belief that if Sanwo-Olu is voted in, he would be able to use his experience to do more to improve the status of Lagos and the lives of its residents.
Group decries upsurge of provocative statements
In the face of the tension and discord being stoked ahead of the governorship and assembly elections, a coalition of various ethnic groups, community-based organisations, civil society and artisan associations have appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life, especially those living in Lagos, to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.
The call came following a meeting in Lagos facilitated by Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER).
A statement by its Convener, Adewale Adeoye, said participants expressed worry over the gradual slide into hate and provocative statements by political actors and social media influencers ahead of the elections.
Adeoye added that such comments are aimed at spurring ethnic violence and conflict across the country and should be discouraged.
Aside from Adeoye, the statement was also jointly signed by David Ajetumobi of the Nigerian Automobilse Technicians Association (NATA); Segun Ajomole, Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (ANACOWA); Konoun Marshal, the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta; Ade Ikuesan, the National Association of Nigerian Motorcycles Riders; Rasaq Arogundade, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC New Era); Dim Uche Okwukwu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Mallam Shetima Yerima, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF); Col Tony Nyiam of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), among others.
OYO: Olunloyo, Boot Party unite for Makinde’s re-election
Former governor of the old Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo has described the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde as excellent. The former governor who made the observation yesterday while speaking on a Splash FM current affairs programme called on residents to vote for the PDP flag bearer on Saturday to enable him to secure his second term.
Olunloyo said he had seen a lot of innovations with the Makinde administration and that he would want him to continue for another four years.
He called on Makinde’s co-contestants including Senator Teslim Folarin of the APC and Chief Adebayo Adelabu of Accord to exercise patience and wait for their time.
Also, supporters of the Boot Party, one of the registered 18 political parties, have declared their support for Makinde’a re-election.
The House of Representatives candidate on the platform of the party for Oluyole Federal Constituency, Gbenga Badejo made the declaration on Monday, alongside all the 10 ward chairmen in the constituency and their supporters.
Speaking during a news conference in Ibadan, Badejo said they decided to throw their weight behind Makinde’s re-election due to his exemplary and outstanding performance in the last four years in the state.
Badejo particularly commended Makinde for the manner in which he led the state during the Covid-19 lockdown by not following the bandwagon policies of total lockdown of the states by many governors. He added that Makinde remains the preferred alternative in a bid to enable complete the good works he has started in the state.
PDP members defect to APC, vow to unseat Makinde
The Oyo State APC Campaign Council has received another boost yesterday, as more members of the ruling PDP in the state defected to the opposition party with a collective resolve to unseat Governor Makinde.
Earlier in the week, the media space was awash with the reports of five different groups within Oyo PDP, with members numbering over 7,000, defecting to the opposition party, following its brilliant performance in the recent presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
BENUE:Nine political parties endorse PDP candidate
The electoral fortunes of the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Titus Uba has received a boost, as nine political parties endorsed his candidature for the contest.
The endorsement from the nine parties is coming barely two days after a Coalition of 94 “Obidient” groups that worked for the success of the LP in the recent presidential election also endorsed him.
The nine political parties made the announcement on Tuesday after a meeting with Governor Samuel Ortom and the PDP candidate in Makurdi. The groups are the National Rescue Movement party (NRM), the Action Alliance (AA) and the African Action Congress (AAC). Others are the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), the BP, as well as the Action Peoples Party (APP).
The leader of the parties, Mr. Paul Aondofa Tor said their decision to support Uba was based on their conviction that he is the only candidate that would sustain the good works of Governor Ortom. Tor is the chairman of the NRM.
OGUN: Adebutu accuses APC of planning to rig
The governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun, Ladi Adebutu, has accused the state chapter of the APC of planning to rig Saturday’s elections with thugs.
Adebutu made the allegation while addressing hundreds of PDP supporters at a mega rally in Abeokuta yesterday.
NAN reports that Adebutu had earlier marched around Abeokuta, accompanied by Segun Showunmi and other chieftains of the party. He said the PDP had uncovered the plan by APC and Gov. Dapo Abiodun to import thugs into the state to intimidate, harass and prevent voters from performing their civic duties.
Adebutu said that Abiodun and APC were afraid of PDP’s growing popularity, stressing that his party would not allow them to unleash their thugs on the state.
He called on the people of the state to remain calm and ensure that they come out en masse on Saturday to vote according to their conscience and report the activities of any hoodlum to security agencies.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, however, described the allegation as baseless and presumptuous.
•Reports by Raymond Mordi, Deputy Political Editor; Jide Orintunsin, Abuja; Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan; Frank Ikpefan, Abuja; Osagie Otabor, Akure; Tajudeen Adebanjo, Lagos; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi; Sola Shittu, Gombe; Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja; Bassey Anthony, Uyo;and Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia
GOMBE: Lawyers raise alarm on violation of electoral laws
A group of human rights and public interest lawyers in Gombe yesterday raised alarm on deliberate violation of electoral laws during campaigns by the ruling APC, saying it might affect free and fair conduct of the governorship election on Saturday.
The spokesman for the group, Musa Luka Haruna said the utterances of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on several occasions during the electioneering campaign is a direct violation of the Electoral Act as amended.
The lawyers in a statement titled: “Threat to life, breach of law and order and flagrant manipulation of the electoral process by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and his aides” said the build-up to the violation of the Electoral Act started with the lifting of the ban on the campaign by INEC in September last year.
“We, as human rights and public interest legal practitioners in Gombe State must say without mincing words that while other political parties in the state have conducted their affairs in absolute civility, the governor of Gombe State and his party, the APC, have brazenly flouted the laid-down rules regulating political campaign activities and have rather adopted a system of deliberate intimidation and malicious prosecution of members of the opposition parties and their supporters.
“Particularly, village heads, wards heads and district heads have been having been constantly intimidated to manipulate the masses and the electoral process due to their proximity to the people and the roles they play in their communities.”
CROSS RIVER: INEC REC bows to pressure to sign election result sheets
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, says he has personally signed all 3,281 result sheets meant for Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Yomere disclosed this in Calabar yesterday during the inspection of the electoral materials for the polls, before their onward distribution to the various local government areas of the state. He said that the need to sign the result sheets became necessary, to douse tension and also dispel rumours that the sheets had already been issued out to a particular political party.
He said: “The rumours have been rife that INEC in Cross River has already sold the result sheets to a particular political party. But you can see for yourselves that everything is intact and has not been tampered with, as it was kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“While I’m not bothered with the rumours, to ensure transparency of the process, I will sign all the result sheets for the governorship election while the Administrative Secretary will sign that of the House of Assembly election before they are distributed to various council areas.”
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has lauded the decision of the REC to sign the result sheets for the elections. Mr Bissong Attah, IPAC Chairman in the state who spoke at the venue of the distribution, said it was what they had requested the commission to do as part of efforts to curb what played out during the Feb. 25 polls.
