Kunle Adelabu
-Pledges loyalty to party supremacy
A leading aspirant for the Lagos East Senatorial seat and the Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, has declared his support for another aspirant, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, for the Senatorial contest.
Incidentally, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, who is currently the Polaris Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, is a younger brother to Otunba Ganiyu Abiru who was the former Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly and aspirant for the same position during the 2019 electioneering period but withdrew his aspiration for the eventual winner, Sen. Adebayo Osinowo who died few months back.
The technocrat, who said that he joined politics to advance development and empower his people, also pledged his total commitment and loyalty to his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released on Monday (today), Otunba Abiru solicited for the support of Ikorodu and entire constituents in Lagos East Senatorial District for his brother, adding that his withdrawal is in the interest of the party.
“As a major contender for our party’s ticket and a leading one at that, having traversed the length and breadth of our Senatorial District in the build up to the 2019 party’s primaries, preceding the general elections, I believe, without any doubt, that I am well positioned to fill the vacant slot, leading to the rejigging of my political campaign machinery”, Otunba Abiru said.
“I must say that, like what we did in 2019, my team ran a well-structured and issue based campaign and made strategic consultations with key leaders across our district in a bid to secure the support and blessing of our party leadership for me to emerge as our party’s flagbearer. You all assured me of your support and I believe strongly that you meant every inch of your words to me”.
He, however, stated that the development which threw up his brother as the anointed candidate of the party did not come as a surprise to him since he is fully aware that politics is ever – changing.
“But since politics is a dynamic game and is determined by rapidly changing dynamics, it did not come to me as a surprise that, while you all desired that I emerge our party’s flagbearer, certain political dynamics will not make that possible, and some of these reasons are clear and understandable to me”.
Otunba Abiru stated that the direction with which the party is going compelled him to withdraw his aspiration and align with the party’s position so as to ensure its victory in the bye – election slated for October 31.
While endorsing the Polaris MD, Tokunbo Abiru, for the vacant seat, Otunba Abiru pledged to collapse his campaign structure for the party.
“To this end, as a loyal party man and a good sports man, I have deemed it fit to write this letter to formally announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial ticket of our great party, in the overall interest of the party and to facilitate the victory of our party’s flagbearer in the forthcoming bye-election.
“To this end, I formally declare my total support and endorsement of my brother, Mr Tokunbo Abiru, as our party’s flagbearer in the forthcoming election, with the promise to collapse my campaign structure to work with our great party and its candidate to secure landslide victory at the forthcoming election”.
He further stated that he did not just relinquish his aspiration because the boardroom guru is his brother, but because he also shared his political dreams and that he’s also capable and qualified.
“It is pertinent to mention that Tokunbo is not just my blood relation, he is a younger brother that I have tremendous respect and honour for. He represents everything I stand for and have always advocated for in our national and local politics. Whatever vision, mission and dream I have for our senatorial district, I see in Tokunbo, a qualified and capable personality that can drive these visions and even surpass them, considering the fact that he is even younger with more energy and vibrancy, hence my decision”.
He stated that he felt satisfied and fulfilled that the power that be in the state has heard the voice of marginalization by Ikorodu people and decided to give an illustrious Ikorodu son the party ticket as candidate for the senatorial election and solicited for support for the endorsed candidate and pledged his loyalty to the party.
“I, therefore, appeal to all and sundry to give him (Tokunbo) the same level of support and love you have shown to me. This is necessary, as it is a launch pad for his acceptance across the district and especially at the poll in October.
“To our party leadership, I pledge my continued loyalty and commitment to party supremacy and ideals and will work hard to ensure victory for our flagbearer come October 31st by the grace of the most High God”.
In a chat with THE IMPACT, Otunba Abiru commended Asipa Kaoli, the Vice Chairman, APC Lagos East who is also a Senatorial aspirant for accepting what he termed party’s decision.
“I hereby commend our own Asipa Kaoli Olusanya for towing the Party line as usual.
“Stepping down from the race in compliance with Party decision, will definitely prepare you for better and higher consideration in the nearest future” he said to Asipa Kaoli.
“It is well with you our dear Asipa of the Universe.
