Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Odede Efezino Kenneth
-Tinubu, other APC candidates receive support too
It was endorsement galore on Saturday, January 7, 2023, as Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives kicked – off its re – election campaign on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Benson, who is seeking a re – election for third term on his track records of quality and effective legislative performance, got massive endorsements from political leaders and stakeholders that spoke at the campaign rally held at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal, Ipakodo on Saturday, January 7, 2023.
The event wore a unique atmosphere as most of those that turned out for the campaign flag off, dressed in orange t-shirt and fez caps, while several party chieftains and notable personalities also voiced their endorsement of the young politician, the Presidential candidate of the APC and other candidates of party.
Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Director – General, APC Presidential and Governorship campaign in Lagos State, while charging Ikorodu residents to vote Rep. Benson for delivering on his current mandate, also called for massive votes for Asiwaju Tinubu and other APC candidates.
“We are here today to flag-off the campaign for the re – election of Jimi Benson in Ikorodu. We have seen the good job you have done in the areas of road and other infrastructures, and people that you have touched in their lives……”, he said.
“The day we’ll be voting for Jimi is also the day we will be voting for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and l am sure they will emerge victorious. So, we want massive votes for them. We are also going to be voting Abiru on the same day. You should troop out to vote massively for APC candidates in February and March elections”, he added.
A chieftain of the Governance Advisory council (GAC), Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, charged residents to get their PVC, and vote for the re – election of Rep. Benson and other APC candidates.
“What we are here to do today is for us to campaign for Jimi to return as our representative. I will implore you to get your PVC, if you are yet to collect yours”, the APC chieftain charged.
He also charged the committee responsible for APC vote canvassing, to work effectively.
Sen. Seye Ogunlewe, former Minister for Works and another GAC member, said that Rep. Benson will get the highest votes as a representative in Nigeria.
“By the grace of God, you’ll excel, because you’re a good child, and any child who works well is deserving re – re-election. Once again, we will re – elect you, and your votes will be the highest in the whole of Nigeria. We promise you that, and we are going to work towards it”, the former Minister said.
“You have done a great job in Ikorodu, so, I urge you to campaign from house to house, and May God help us, congratulations once again”.
Former Commissioner of Agriculture, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, also speaking at the flag – off, said that APC has good candidates, including Rep. Benson whom he said cares for his people.
“In Lagos State APC, we are fortunate to have competent candidates who have capacities, candidates who can deliver; reliable and consistent. These are the candidates we have, beginning with Asiwaju Bola Tunubu to Tokunbo Abiru, Jimi Benson and to the other candidates.
“Truly, Jimi cares about infrastructures. In another four years, Ikorodu will be totally transformed in terms of infrastructure. Jimi touches life; provides hospitals; schools. Jimi socializes with us; available and accessible. Jimi is the golden boy of APC”, Asipa Kaoli said about Rep. JB.
Honorable Makki Elema, Member of House of Representatives (Jigawa State) and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Defense, said that Rep. Benson is a wonderful legislator.
“I am not surprised for Hon Jimi Benson because he is a wonderful person. Ikorodu Federal Constituency is very lucky to have him, because I work with him in the National Assembly as a first timer. He took me like his biological brother and he is respected by all.
“What I am seeing here is not a surprise to me because I work with him. The way he is respected here is also the way the Speaker and other members respect him at the National Assembly. He does not discriminate. He is a man for all. I congratulate him in advance and I also know he deserves more…”, he added.
The federal lawmaker from Jigawa announced that his state will deliver more votes for Asiwaju Tinubu.
“I have a message for you from his Excellency, the governor of Jigawa State. He is challenging Lagos State that his state will vote more for Asiwaju, and lead Lagos in the upcoming Presidential election”, he said.
APC Secretary in Lagos State, Hon. Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya, said that Rep. Benson has changed the narrative in the Nigerian parliament politics.
“Jimi shall be sworn – in come June 2023, that is sacrosanct. But in fulfilment of the constitutional requirement, the reason we are all gathered here today is to display the trophy which shall be presented in May.
“We have won the trophy. The young man succeeded in changing the narrative of legislative representation in the history of Nigeria parliamentary politics. There is no doubt about that…..”.
Ogboni Fuad Oki, the Director for the APC Campaign Secretariat in Lagos, said that Rep. Benson has been making his people and party happy, and as a result, deserves re – election.
He charged Ikorodu people to vote for performing youthful lawmaker, so that he can bring more development to Ikorodu, and make the city developed like Surulere.
Among other chieftains of the APC that endorsed the re-election of Rep. Benson, were former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goal (MDG), Her Excellency Orelope Adefulire, APC apex leader in Ikorodu, Alhaji Musliu Animashaun, Otunba Amid Adekunle Oduborusha, President, Oriwu Club and Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly.
At the flag-off event, hundreds of party chieftains, members and residents of Ikorodu Federal Constituency that trooped out to grant the federal lawmaker endorsement for the third term, were treated to good music by the Mayegun of Yorubaland, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), who had songs for every statement and actions displayed.
