Kunle Adelabu & Olatunji Ademola
Prominent political figures and Ikorodu personalities have charged residents of Ikorodu to use their votes to prove to the State APC that they are in support of their son, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru for the Senatorial position, come October 31, bye-election.
Abiru, who is an indigene of lkorodu, emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), in the forthcoming Senatorial bye-election with massive votes despite being the sole aspirant of the party in the primary election held on Thursday, September 3, 2020.
Prominent political figures spoke with THE IMPACT at the Adeniran Ogunsanya House, polling unit for Ward A4 (Aga/Ijomu), over the victory of Abiru at the primary election and their expectations from the people of Ikorodu division at the forthcoming bye-election.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Agunbiade stated that the only way to show that the people of the division are in support of Abiru is for APC members and the generality of Ikorodu Division to troop out massively and vote for Abiru.
“Today is memorable and great. It’s great in the sense that the party invited people to show interest in contesting for the vacant seat of Lagos East Senatorial District as a result of the demise of Sen. Bayo Oshinowo and after the close of interest, it was discovered that only Tokunbo Abiru obtained and submitted form and he was screened for the primary election”, he said.
“I thank everyone for coming out today to affirm Abiru as the sole aspirant by showing their support and acceptance.
“We are still in need of your support on the day of the bye – election. We want everyone to come out and vote massively for our party and prove that Ikorodu appreciate our party for picking one of us”, he charged.
“We have to prove that with our votes. We have to work together and mobilize residents to vote for Abiru and APC.
“He became the sole aspirant and today, the people of lkorodu, not that withstanding that he is the only person that has showed interest, proved that they are solidly with him and you can see that we have given him our votes.
“He received massive votes from ward A4 and that is how it will be in all other wards across 19 Wards in Ikorodu and the 98 Wards in Lagos East.
“So, it is a great day. It’s been peaceful, colourful, memorable and it’s has been fun. The process was democracy in action. It was so peaceful, orderly and well coordinated”, Hon. Agunbiade said.
Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya, APC Chieftain, also speaking, said that Ikorodu residents will have no reason not to show that they are with their son through massive votes in the bye – election.
“He’s a good candidate and I thank people for accepting Tokunbo Abiru. This is something we have been praying for in Ikorodu , that somebody among us should represent us, someone who is our own native. We are not opposed to other residents but Ikorodu is predominantly indigenous town. it’s important that our own should represent us”, Princess Adenrele declared.
“So for me, it’s a good sign that things are getting better. I hope that the party continues that way and I know he will perform very well”, she said.
“I expected that we will win as always. I am looking forward to that day and I hope everyone comes out to vote for Abiru and prove that we are solidly with him”.
While stating that she is expecting great things from the APC candidate after winning the bye – election, Princess Adenrele assured that Abiru has the capacity to deliver.
“I am expecting him to do good things for Lagos and particularly for Ikorodu because “Ile lati n ko eso r’ode” (Charity begins at home). I know he won’t disappoint because he’s a young man of great intelligent”, she said.
“I have great expectations and I know he will perform”.
Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, the Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and a former aspirant for the Senatorial position who jettisoned his aspiration when Abiru, who is his first cousin emerged as the party’s preferred aspirant, said that plans are underway to mobilize Ikorodu residents to vote massively for the Senatorial candidate.
He also solicited for support from other parts of the Senatorial District for Abiru.
“We are working towards making Ikorodu vote massively for Abiru. The population of Ikorodu is over 5million and it is not good enough to be having 500, 000 votes.
“We are using your medium to appeal to our people to come out en mass and vote for Abiru. The campaign team is also working towards ensuring that we have a very good number of votes and if possible, more than a million votes in the coming bye – election from Ikorodu.
“We are also looking forward to strong support from Ibeju Lekki, Epe, Kosofe and Shomolu in the election”.
