Kunle Adelabu
The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mrs Funke Akindele, has said that Ikorodu has been given a chance to be part of the Lagos State Government, with her emergence as the running mate of the main opposition party in the state.
The actress, who is an indigene of Ikorodu, also said that it is through her party that Ikorodu and Lagos State can be positively transformed and urged the electorates to vote for the PDP.
She made the plea during the continuation of her Ward campaign tour on Sunday, January 15, 2023, where she addressed Muslim faithfully, non – indigenes and residents of Ikorodu at the Odogunyan Central Mosque, Odogunyan, Ikorodu.
Akindele and her team also met with Noble Minds Forum comprises of the Odo – Nla Joint CDA at Odo – Nla and later, Arewa Group and the aspirant for the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, Mr AbdulAzeez Adekunle Awesu along the Ikorodu – Shagamu Road.
“I greet you all, both indigenes and non – indigenes, and thank you all for the love. Finally, they have given Ikorodu a chance to be part of the government of Lagos State and so shall it be in the name of God ”, she said.
“You have been given the position of the deputy governor with your daughter as the one that has been given the privileged to serve in that capacity. Please, let us vote en masse for the PDP right from the Presidential candidates to the Assembly.
“Ensure that you vote for your conscience even if you are offered money. Vote for Jandor and Funke Akindele. I am the one representing Jandor in Ikorodu”, she added.
“This is a good thing for women because we have been given the chance to be in government and make positive impacts. We must use it very well. I have assurance and confidence that all your waiting and support will not go to waste”.
Funke Akindele, who was intermittently called ‘Suliat’ (her stage name) by women at the campaign rally, said that the ward tours were designed to prepare them for the challenges of governing the state after their elections.
She also solicited the support of the residents for the Presidential and other candidates of the party.
“My boss and the incoming governor in 2023 sent his greetings. He would have loved to be here, but for the tedious campaign. We have to divide the team so as to have proper coverage and be able to cover up”, she said.
“The purpose of these ward tours is to make us see the state of every area in the state. We don’t want to be governor and deputy governor that will be sitting in the office and lack adequate knowledge about the area. We have journeyed over the roads and we have felt the dust. The first day I came to Ikorodu for a campaign, I wore a white top which turned brown before I got home. I have had a taste of it.
“We have seen how Lagos is; that our roads are not good; health system poor; there is no security and poor transportation. It is time for a good turnaround. It is PDP that will bring about the positive transformation and to have that is in our hands
“If Atiku is elected as the President, it would be easy for us. The first election is important. Let us all come out to vote. You too should turn yourself into canvassers by going from door – to – door for votes. You must make friends with your enemies once he/she has PVC”, Funke Akindele said.
“Educate them that their power to bring about positive transformation in Ikorodu, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole is their PVC”, she added.
While charging people to vote for her party, the actress turned politician also said that if elected, her government will focus on empowering women, caring for children and special people and bring about good governance for Lagosians.
“Women need empowerment and once they are empowered, many issues would be resolved. To do this, we have provided free education for your children. Once your children have access to quality and free education, the burdens on parents will be lessened. This coupled with proper and free healthcare, there is no way that people will not have enough with them for other things”, she said.
“Jandor government will also give our women capital and support to start business and be independent.
“There will be a Ministry to cater for the welfare of our children, and also, the special people will be taken care of with one of them as the Commissioner that will oversee the affairs of the Ministry.
“Jandor government will be for the masses, women, men, children, old, young, Igbo people, Hausas and others. We will allow money made in Lagos to be invested and develop Lagos.
“We are not just giving promises, we want to exhibit actions. We are practical and bring good governance to Lagos and Ikorodu will be fully part of that. We want you to vote for PDP candidates with Atiku as the President. Vote for our Senatorial, House of Representatives, Governorship and Assembly. Vote for PDP. Search for the umbrella logo on the ballot paper and vote therein.
“Do what is right this time around to stop the 24 years of hardship and labour. It is enough!
“Lagos will always be for Lagosians. Once you live in Lagos, pay tax, do business and your children go to school in Lagos, you are a Lagosian and you deserve a good, better and working Lagos”, she said.
The woman that spoke for the non – Yoruba speaking people during her tour, said that women have trust in the PDP running mate that she will accord them necessary attention when she gets into the office.
“We have all vowed that we will vote for you and we know that once you get there, you will support the women. It is a pleasure having you in our midst.
“We have been seeing you on air and now seeing you with us and we are happy about it”, she added.
A Muslim cleric that spoke earlier, urged the PDP candidate to ensure that masses experience good governance if they are voted into the office.
In the PDP Guber entourage were Dr. Gbenga Oshin. Chairman, PDP in Ikorodu, Mr AbdulAzeez Adekunle Awesu, contender for the PDP House of Representatives seat, Mr Lawal Olamide Olalekan, candidate, Ikorodu Constituency I, Lagos State House of Assembly and Mr Kazeem Abatan, former aspirant for Lagos Assembly among others.
