Tag: Sanwo-Olu

There was excitement among party members in Lagos yesterday as All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the state, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, unfolded his plans to reporters.

Accompanied by party elders and other chieftains, Sanwo-Olu described himself as the candidate to beat at the proposed governorship primary of the party.

He described his ambition as a reality, vowing to pursue it to the end in the interest of Lagosians.

The 52-year-old former Commissioner for Establishment and Training described himself as a loyal party man who will always reach out to party faithful, promote an open door policy and ensure an unhindered access to his office, if elected as governor.

He promised to resolve the refuse logjam in the Centre of Excellence, create opportunities for human capital advancement, youth development and ease of doing business.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on his ambition at his temporary campaign office, Watercress Hotel, Ikeja, where prominent chieftains and supporters showed excitement about his bid.

His campaign manager, Tayo Ayinde, said he will officially declare his intention tomorrow at a rally scheduled for Police College Ground, beside Arch-Bishop Vining Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja.

The aspirant was accompanied by party elders and other chieftains, including former Health and Special Duties Commissioner Dr. Tola Kasali; APC deputy Chairman Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Vice Chairman (East Senatorial District) Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya; a leader of the Mandate Group, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo; House of Representatives member Prince Rotimi Agunsoye; James Faleke; Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus; Mr. Alawiye King; Abiodun Mafe; Bayo Ajisebutu; Bolanle Akinyemi-Obe; Mrs. Essien; Chief Tunde Temionu; Bayo Osiyemi and Sesan Daini.

Many party chieftains said they were enthusiastic about the prospects of a Sanwo-Olu mandate, saying that he will serve as a symbol of party loyalty, unity, cohesion and development.

The campaign team set up by the aspirant has started setting up campaign structures across the pre-existing 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

A number of women and youth groups have also set supportive campaign machinery to complement the Ayinde-led team.

Odunmbaku said if elected, Sanwo-Olu’s government will mirror the vision of the party and reflect its hopes, concerns and aspirations, adding that the aspirant is a party man to the core.

He said Lagos APC deserved a governor that will be loyal to it, assuring that Sanwo-Olu will forge a working alliance between the party and the government in the interest of the state.

In his opinion, the aspirant will not permit any gulf between the APC and his government after assuming the reins.

Hailing his entry into the race, Temionu, a chieftain from Kosofe sub-zone, said: “Sanwo-Olu is a politician. He is intelligent and he understands politics and how it should be played. He will return Lagos to a new era like Asiwaju did. He will toe the party line.”

Daini, who anchored press conference, said many party members are anticipating the end of an era and a new chapter in the ruling party and government.

Sanwo-Olu, who described himself as a “proper Lagosian,” said he entered the race to make a difference, adding that he is eminently qualified to lead the stat to a greater height. He said his ambition is not a joke, vowing to pursue it to the end.

He said: “I am 52 years old. On Monday September 10, I travelled to Abuja to collect the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. Two days after, I submitted the form in Abuja to confirm my willingness to continue the promotion of the vision for the progress of Lagos.

“I have been blessed by God. I feel highly honoured and thank God. I have the experience of 16 years in the private sector and 12 years in the public sector. I have been a two-time special adviser and three-time commissioner.

“I have held the highest corporation in Lagos State, the LSDC. I have worked under three governors. I was treasurer of two banks, which made me a manager of assets and resources and investment. I have been a manager in real estate sector.”

Justifying his entry into the race, he said he neither joined on the basis of “not too young to rule” nor “Not too old to join,” adding that his involvement is only timely and goal-oriented.

Sanwo-Olu added: “In Lagos, I look at the bright vision to improve what we have so that we can take our stat to a bigger and higher level. I don’t want to wait until I am 75.

“The political landscape gives us opportunities to serve, to improve the wellbeing of our people. I have the experience to manage the assets and resources of the state.”

Exuding confidence about the primary, the aspirant said he will forge ahead with courage, determination and the resolve to succeed.

All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Governorship aspirant, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday inaugurated the directors and three senatorial coordinators for the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation (BOSCO)

Tayo Ayinde is the BOSCO’s Director General while APC leader in Alimosho, Alhaji Abdullah Enilolobo heads the Mobilisation Team.

Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshilokun, is in charge of Research and Intelligence. LAHA Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, heads Legal.

Others are Adeniran Onilude – Special Duties; Tobi Lawal – Fund raising; Agege Local Government Chairman Kola Egunjobi – Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Civil Society and Students; Sesan Dani – Media and Publicity; his Oshodi-Isolo counterpart Bolaji Ariyo – Security; Wale Adelana – Ethnic Affairs; Dr Sulaimon Aleshinloye – Medical and Safety; Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Bolanle Akinyemi-Obe – Women Affairs; her Bariga and Ajeromi-Ifelodun counterparts Kolade Alabi (Finance) and Ayoola Fatai (Welfare).

Former Mosan-Okunola LCDA Chairman Abiodun Mafe heads Party Affairs; Fuad Atanda-Lawal – Youth; Kamal Olohrunoje – Volunteers’ group and Rev. Samuel Olufemi Ogedengbe for Religion.

The threes Senatorial Coordinators are Rasak Ajala – Lagos West, Wahab Alawiye King – Lagos Central and Mayor Dele Oshinowo – Lagos East

LAGOS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Babajide Sanwo-Olu spoke yesterday on his aspiration, saying it has nothing to do with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but taking Lagos to the next level.

Speaking with reporters at the APC national secretariat in Abuja after submitting his nomination form, Sanwo-Olu, who is widely referred to as the anointed aspirant of the former Lagos State governor, is confident that the state will be better off with him as governor.

He said as a three-time commissioner, two-time special adviser and head of the biggest corporation in the state, he has the experience to run the state.

His words: “There is no doubt that things will be said here and there. I am a full grown man with several years of experience. Like I said, it is about the Lagos of our dream and the Lagos that we want to take to the next level and so, it has absolutely nothing to do with our leader.

“There is no denying the fact that he has been our national leader and he plays that role not only in the state, but at the national level. He has interest in the improvement and wellbeing of the Nigerian dream.

“So, by extension, Lagos is a dream that he (Tinubu) is passionate about and we will continue to refer to him as our leader. The most important thing, is that I am in front of you, this is who I am and this is what I have come to express to you and Lagos will be a better place for all of us.”

On the supposed controversy generated by his entrance into the race, Sanwo-Olu said “the truth is that I’m not in Ambode’s shoes right now and what has been generated is a reflection of the fact that people have come to understand and know the kind of person that I am.

“A whole lot of us had to redefine the Lagos project. This is not the forum where I will begin to roll out to you the very many first that people think were done by some other individuals, but there were other people behind them that brought out those ideas, policies and implementation plan.

“There are so many firsts that I can begin to attribute to myself in the 11 years that I have had to do in the public service. Like I said, I have served three different governors and in three different ministries, served twice in the Governor’s Office, headed the biggest agency of government.

“So, the blueprint that we have been looking at since 1999 was out together by some of us. We are all friends, but it is politics. For me, I think this is the time. I have always told my children; that whatever you believe in, stay on that course. So, if I cannot also do what I preach, I will begin to regret when I am 75 that I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”

Asked why he is contesting now, Sanwo-Olu said: “I am someone that is over 50 years old. In fact, I am 53 years old. More importantly, in the last 30 years, I have spent 16 years in the private sector and 11 in the public sector. I have been three-time commissioner, two-time special adviser. I have been managing director of the biggest corporation in the state and has served about three governors.

“So, I have had a dream to obviously contribute more as a Lagosian, as a son of the soil and just to let our people get to the level where they know that governance is all about people, what they expect and what you throw back to them to them to improve the cost of living and security of lives.

“Given the number of years of my experience in the public and private sector, I think it is appropriate for me now. Certainly, I am not going to wait until the not-too-young catches up with us. So, it is better for me to bring that aspiration to bear today.”

The aspirant would not be drawn into endorsement and a supposed stakeholders meeting saying: “I am in Abuja now and certainly cannot know what is happening in Lagos. You are in the media and so have access to information that I don’t have. When I get to Lagos and there is a meeting called by the leadership, I will attend the meeting.

“But in terms of endorsement, it is a work in progress. People have been asking questions, wanting to know the type of person that I am. I certainly will never say it is hurray because it is a journey and not a destination.

“It will be very presumptious of me to stand before you and begin to imagine that 57 chairmen have endorsed me. That mean I am going to sleep. That will not be so.

“The mandate group are my people, we are in the same family and will continue to work. It is Lagosians at the end of the day that have the bills to pay. We will ensure that we are not restricted and will get to all those we need to get to and not take anybody for granted.”