Kunle Adelabu
A leading aspirant for the vacant Lagos East Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya, has withdrawn from the race.
Asipa Kaoli, who is the Vice Chairman of the ruling party in the District and former two – term Commissioner in the State, had few weeks back public declared his interest in the vacant position for which a bye – election has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to hold in October.
According to report gathered, Asipa Kaoli’s withdrawal may not be unconnected to the information making the round that the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom we gathered had initially endorsed Asipa Kaoli’s aspiration, has again adopted another preferred aspirant.
The former Commissioner, who has made it clear during his declaration for the contest that he would accept whatever decision the national leader and the party made regarding the contest, in a release titled, ‘In deference to the party and our national leader ‘, signed by himself, said:
“Thus, when it turned out that in the interest of the party, I have to step back and allow someone else to take on the task of representing our district at this time, for some reasons that seriously have to do with the larger interest of our dear state, I saw the development as yet another call to serve through sacrifice”.
Although, Asipa Kaoli did not state who he was stepping back for, he, however, emphasized his trust in the decision of the party leader and pledged to continue leading the party in the District.
“And with my utmost confidence in the leadership of the Jagaban Borgu, wherever he goes, I will follow. He is a strategist I have come to respect and his decisions I always respect. Therefore, it is without any worry or regret that I accept the need for me to continue with the task of leading our party in the district while we all support the party’s choice to go on and win the Lagos East Senate seat for the APC”.
While stating that his aspiration was built on working towards providing quality representation for the District at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Asipa Kaoli thanked his supporters and others for their supports.
“Like I said earlier, it is an aspiration built on my conviction that our senatorial district desires the very best of representation after the unfortunate demise of distinguished Senator Bayo Osinowo, our late representative.
“In furtherance of that desire to serve my people again, as I have done for decades now as a loyal party man and committed democrat, I set about consulting within and outside our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the entire senatorial district. I must appreciate all our leaders and the people for the warm receptions. The acceptance of my aspiration, I must say, was impressive and it really made me proud of all I have done in the last couple of decades as a politician.
“Suffice to add that the expectations of the people from me humbled me; their confidence in my ability made me appreciate God and my leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for all the opportunities of the past and present. And to all the good people of Lagos East, I say a big thank you.
“However, like I have always said, the thrust of my politics is always the interest of the party and the people. For me to forge ahead in any desire or aspiration, it must be in tune with these two factors. I have never been known to run contrary to the dictates of these factors in all my political life.
“I thank everybody who has been part of the movement so far – the Think Tank, the Support Groups, the Party, the People and every other person or group. Once again, I say Asipa Kaoli Olusanya is grateful”, he said.
