Kunle ADELABU
-Pledges total commitment to peaceful conduct of elections
The effort of the Lagos State Chapter of the NotTooYoungToRun, the political platform clamouring for more participation of youths in the political process, in ensuring violence-free elections in 2019, has started yielding results as stakeholders have started keying into the initiative.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the State Assembly in the coming election, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, on Saturday, December 29, 2018, signed the Youth Against Violence Accord (YAVA 2018) under the able supervision of the leadership of the Ikorodu chapter of the group.
Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Thursday, December 27, 2018, signed the Accord with the State Chapter of the group.
At the event held at the conference hall of the Light House Hotel, Ikorodu, the ranking lawmaker commended the youth group for the initiative which he described as a good step in the right direction.
Hon. Agunbiade, while showing his total commitment to a violent-free election, stated that he is not just signing the YAVA, but also asking other candidates to do same and be committed to peaceful elections.
“I do not only sign Youth Against Violence Accord (YAVA 2018), I am also making a public pronouncement that I am totally committed to peaceful and free elections in Ikorodu. I also hope that other candidates too would sign and be committed to it?” Hon. Agunbiade stated.
‘I want to appreciate your drive and initiative to stop violence in Ikorodu.
“You need to carry the campaign beyond the political actors. There is need to engage youths across Ikorodu, especially those in Area Bases. You can get them through their President, Lanre Olabinjo. They too should be made to commit themselves to a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections”, Hon. Agunbiade suggested.
Stating his effort in ensuring that there is no violence in Ikorodu, Hon. Agunbiade told the gathering that he gathered youths across all bases and areas in Ikorodu before the primary elections and talked to them on the need to avoid making themselves a tool for destruction.
“Before the primary elections, I gathered youths across Ikorodu and held a meeting with them. They were invited from different sections and areas and I told them that I don’t have the intention of engaging anyone in violence and that they should not make themselves a willing tool in the hands of desperate people.
The lawmaker, during the interactive session, also stated that he has never contributed to insecurity in Ikorodu.
“I have never in any way contributed to insecurity in Ikorodu and I never belong to any cult group.
“In actual fact, my first programme when I became President of the Students Union Government in Lagos State University (LASU), was ‘LASU Against Cultism’, which led to my abductor but I was prepared for them.
Hon. Agunbiade, who stated that he never reacted to threats, intimidations and attacks on his person and his supporters in the past few months, called on all political actors and residents not to engage in any form of act that is capable of throwing the town in flame.
“I didn’t react to provocations, threats, intimidations and attacks directed at me in the last few months because the intentions of my detractors were to make me react and engage them. I am a man of peace.
“I am not arrogant as alleged but courageous. I believe that only God is the ultimate power that can decide my faith and aspiration. I believe only in Him.
“I am for peace and tranquility in Ikorodu and that is exactly what I will ensure with everything within my capacity.
“What happened in Ikorodu was a violent protest against 4th term and not my person. Some people just wanted to stop me by force. They were prepared to stop me at all cost but God is the decider of everything.”
To buttress his submission, Hon. Agunbiade stated that some of those that were opposed to his 4th term bid in Ikorodu were propagating and promoting 5th term bid of another politician elsewhere. This according to him emphasized the fact that experience counts in legislature.
The three-term lawmaker, while stating his achievements, also added that youths will continue to be the central focus of his representation.
More so, he told his audience that what he has been able to facilitate to his constituency in the last three years as the Majority Leader is far more than what he achieved in his eight years as ordinary member.
Meanwhile, in a chat with our reporter, Hon. Agunbiade stated that his experience and knowledge of the legislature stands him out from other candidates.
“Our present situation in Ikorodu requires someone with the operational knowledge and experience of the systemic complexities of legislature to be able to engage fellow legislators and other arms of government in competitive lobbying and advocacy in matters that concern and are capable of bringing succor and further dividends of democracy to the people of Ikorodu Constituency I.
He stated that Ikorodu cannot afford to start all over again when she can build on the achievements on the ground by returning him to the Assembly.
“My experience in the hallow chamber has given me a strong conviction that a viable legislature and effective representation is achievable only with experienced legislators who have the knowledge of the workings and dynamics of the legislative arm of government.
“So, I am of the firm opinion that this is not a time for Ikorodu to lower its political relevance or extinguish her glowing flame by unconsciously making moves to start afresh when we can gallantly move ahead with more dignity and benefits by consolidating on what we have attained so far”, he stated.
