Kunle Adelabu
In response to the dwindling votes recorded in the last three general elections in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has drafted critical stakeholders into the Lagos East Senatorial campaign structure of Mr Adetokunbo Abiru.
This was revealed by the chieftains of the party at the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Ikorodu Local Government held at the Solomade home of the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.
According to chieftains of the party, they are not only aiming to win the coming Senatorial bye-election, but also attempting to make huge statement towards recording massive votes to correct the declining patterns recorded in the last three general elections.
Meanwhile, representatives of Community Development Associations (CDAs), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Tricycle Operators, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and youths among others that were present at the inauguration have expressed happiness over their inclusion in the campaign structure.
They assured the party of their support in helping to garner more votes for Abiru, while also commending the initiative which many of them described as a welcome idea.
Prince Abiodun Ogunlewe, the former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, and Apex APC Leader in Ikorodu, while inaugurating the LOC which is being chaired by the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adedeji Adeshina, and the Ikorodu APC Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Longe as Co – Chairman, said that the directive was coming from the State’s Secretariat of the party.
He said that critical stakeholders will be included in the LOC to assist the party in achieving its aim of recording improved votes in the forthcoming Senatorial bye-election in Lagos East.
Also inaugurated alongside the Chairman and Co – Chairman, were Mr Niyi Sotunbo, the lkorodu APC Secretary, as the Secretary to the LOC, while the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government is the Publicity Secretary.
Ogunleye saddled the Co – Chairmen with the responsibilities of working with other stakeholders in the party to form campaign committees where members of the party and other stakeholders that are being drafted into the campaign structure will be assigned.
He also appealed to the aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their swords and work for the success of the party.
“Let us go out and appeal to those that are still aggrieved so that we can have massive votes and not just winning. We want all of you to work for Abiru who is our son”, the former Deputy Governor appealed.
The Vice Chairman, APC Lagos East Senatorial District and deputy Apex leader in Ikorodu, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, while emphasizing the need for the inclusion of those that are not APC members and other critical members of the society in the LOC, said:
“The composition of the LOC this time will take a different shape because our votes had been declining in the last three elections, though we have been winning but we are not happy about it. We need to change the situation”, he said.
“What happened in Edo is also giving us concern that the opposition has been empowered and they will be planning to descend on us from all over the country, but we are fully aware of this and prepared.
“This initiative is part of our preparations. We are devising new strategy to shore up our votes. That is why we are having inclusive campaign.
“Those that we are bringing on board are not APC members but those that are interfacing with people on daily basis, that’s why we are including CDC, religious bodies, transport unions, community youths who are different from our party youths that are also going to be doing theirs. Also, representatives from royal institutions are to be parts of the LOC”, he added.
“Our votes had not been enough and we need more votes for Abiru. We must be able to get 500, 000 votes for him in the next election and this implies that lkorodu must record over 100, 000 votes”, he charged.
“Abiru is a new baby. He has not offended anybody and does not belong to any caucus, so nobody should have anything against him, rather, we all must work for his success at the poll”.
Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member of the House of Representatives and the Director of Strategy and Planning, Abiru campaign, announced that there will be training for all the party’s canvassers and agents to ensure that they know what are expected of them.
“Edo phenomenon is out there and we need more strength from our people and with the strategist and seasoned politicians that we have been blessed with, we are going to emerge victorious”, he said while appealing that all hands must be on the deck.
The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and the Director of Protocol of the campaign, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, called for inclusive engagements and participation to defeat the opposition parties in the election.
The Senatorial candidate, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, while acknowledging comments and contributions from stakeholders, described them as expression of love for him and the party.
He called for constant exchange of ideas in the preparation towards the Senatorial bye-election, while also charging party leaders and members to embark on house – to – house campaign.
“Let’s all go out and canvass very well from street to street and community to community”, Abiru charged.
Other chieftains at the inauguration were Hon. Segun Olulade, the Director – General of Abiru Campaign, Hon. Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/.Bayeku LCDA and Director of Media, Abiru Campaign, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, lmota LCDA, Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, the Director – General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Alhaja Anifowoshe, APC Leader in Ikorodu West LCDA, Mr Segun Anifowoshe, former Sole Administrator, lkorodu West LCDA, Alhaja Funmi Basorun Osinwo, APC Chieftain, Alhaji Lamidi Folorunsho, APC chieftain, Otunba Ganiyu olusegun Aspirant, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) among many others.
