Wale JAGUN & Oyinlola ADEWALE
Three weeks after Hon. Sanai Agunbiade formally declared his interest to re-contest the Ikorodu Constituency I seat at the Lagos State House of Assembly, endorsements have continued to trail his declaration.
The latest endorsement was coming from the Progressives Leaders in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) during a meeting held at Alhaji Bello’s house in Owutu area of Ikorodu West on Friday, September 21, 2018.
So far, the three term lawmker’s aspiration has enjoyed remarkable support from Ikorodu traditional rulers, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ikorodu Chapter, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN),Ikorodu Chapter and Motorcycle Operators in Ikorodu.
Honourable Agunbiade, who is also the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has also attracted open endorsements from the All-Stars Football Clubs in the division and the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LACOSTA), Ikorodu division Chapter.
Alhaji Ganiu Badmus, the leader of the group , speaking at the meeting, stated that the meeting was called to endorse Hon. Agunbiade for another term in office and to present posters printed by the group to him as part of their support for his aspiration.
“We that are present here are all from Ikorodu West LCDA and as members of the Progressives Leaders of Ikorodu West LCDA, we have called on Hon. Agunbiade to interact with him on his aspiration.
“Firstly, we are here today to pronounce Hon. SOB (Agunbiade)as our candidate for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat at the State Assembly in the 2019 General elections. Secondly, we want to prove to him that Ikorodu West is solidly behind him and also present these posters to him.
“Our entire members from Ward A –D in Ikorodu West LCDA hereby present these posters as gift because we know that Hon. Agunbiade is the only one that can do it”.
Former Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Jide Banjoko, while also speaking stated:
“We came here to honour Hon. Agunbiade because of his good deeds in the past. He is not repeating a class, rather, he is progressing and taking Ikorodu along in the process.
“Lagos State House of Assembly is an institution where experience counts and we are trusting Hon Agunbiade for this. He is going back to continue his good deeds because there is still a lot of work to be done at the Assembly and the nature of the job requires the experience of SOB. That is why Ikorodu West wants him to go back.
“We are not hungry people and we didn’t ask him to bring anything before we endorse him. We called him here to give him our support and present to him what we have provi in support of his aspiration”.
Elder Kolawole Ajayi in his own remarks described Hon Agunbiade as a teacher, lawyer, human rights activist and representative while adding that, “He is more qualified than other aspirants and that is why we are supporting his return here today”.
“We are here today to consolidate all that we have been saying and you can count on our members from the five wards in the council”, he stated while assuring Hon. Agunbiade of their supports.
Hon Agunbiade in his response stated that he was surprised to see the large turnout of party members at the meeting.
“I thank the Almighty God for everything. When I got here, I thought I was attending a social gathering. I never knew that it is going to be something huge as this when I was invited.
“I appreciate you all for leaving your various businesses to come and honour me. I thank the leadership of the Progressives which I have been working with on how to better our community. We have worked together on this road and also when you are having sleepless nights regarding the militants. Today, all these problems are things of the past.
“Critics are not saying that I did not perform, but they are only saying that I am not the only one while they forget that Hon. Bayo Osinowo is in his fourth term; speaker Obasa is in his fifth term. The framers of the constitution didn’t set a time limit for the legislature for a purpose.
“In legislative business, the more experienced you are, the better the laws you’ll make. Lawmaking is a process and I did not send myself on this mission but it is God that has sent me.
“Since He is the one that has sent me to work for my people, we have been emerging victorious in the previous primaries and this would not be different. His grace is with us and we shall come out victorious again. We shall rejoice and for those that are not here today, we send our greetings and prayers to them.
