Kunle Adelabu
-Rep. Benson, Oduborisha, Daini canvass for APC candidates
Ikorodu residents have been asked to support and ensure that they vote massively for the re – election of the incumbent Governor of Lagos State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo – Olu, in the Gubanatorial election holding next weekend.
Sanwo – Olu, whose first term would be rounding off on May 29, is seeking re – election for another four years. There are 15 other candidates from other parties also on the ballot paper, aiming to unseat the governor, in what promises to be a keenly contested election.
Following the shocking experience in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections where the APC lost the former to the Labour Party, the ruling party has intensified campaign to maintain its grip on Lagos.
As a result of this, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Fredrick Oladehinde has made an appeal to the residents of Ikorodu at the monthly ‘Apo Anu’ food distribution by iCare Foundation, the operational platform of Rep. Babajimi Benson, at his constituency office in Ikorodu on Saturday, that Ikorodu people should vote to re – elect the governor, to enable his administration complete projects it has embarked upon.
“I want to thank you for all that you have been doing in Ikorodu. I thank you for the vote cast last week, but we want you to come out more to vote next week”, he said.
“We would like to finish all the good works that Sanwo-Olu has embarked upon in Ikorodu. We have been constructing roundabouts and improving water transportation. We have completed the Oba Sakunmade road and there are still others projects that we want to embark upon.
“Rail line is coming to Ikorodu. The red line coming from Ikeja will pass through Imota and other areas”, the Commissioner said.
“Let us cooperate and vote for Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu. We should know that if the governor is re – elected, Ikorodu Indigenes will be in leadership positions and we will make this place better.
“We must allow more development in Ikorodu and more job opportunities for our people. So, we have to join hands together and come out en masse to vote on Saturday. We did well the last time and I know we can do better this time around. Let’s make sure we vote for Sanwo-Olu”, he appealed.
Rep. Babajimi Benson, the chief host, speaking at the event, asked his constituents to vote for the governorship and Assembly candidates of his party for more developmental projects in Ikorodu.
“The Honorable commissioner has brought good news to us. He said the railway is coming to Ikorodu”, Rep. Benson said.
“If you vote for the Labour Party, will they bring that (rail line project) to Ikorodu? Do you even know the Labour Party’s governorship candidate? But you know Sanwo-Olu and the reason you know him is because you will always see Jimi Benson, Senator Abiru, Wasiu Adeshina, Agoro of Imota, Sesan Daini, Asipa Kaoli, your councilors and others. They all know Sanwo-Olu, but if we make any mistake by voting for the wrong person, it will be a problem and may we not encounter problem”, he said.
Benson, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, also acknowledged electoral malpractices against APC in Ikorodu and commended the people for voting to neutralize the attempt.
“In the last election, they did some manipulations. They transferred over thirty thousand votes to Ikorodu. They planned to win Ikorodu but God was on our side because we have you people who refused to vote for them and you gave us over 50 thousand votes for the Presidential election. You also show your likeness for you son whom you have christened several names with over 60 thousand votes”, he said.
“The Commissioner has announced that a railway line is coming to Ikorodu with a rice mill, fourth mainland and other projects. These are investments for our future in Ikorodu, and we must not allow any stranger to deny us that. We also have the President – elect of Nigeria which has never happened before. The incoming President is also the Baba – Oba of Ikorodu.
“On Saturday, what we are expecting from Ikorodu is 100, 000 votes for Governor Sanwo – Olu and also for Gbolahan Ogunleye in Constituency I and Aro Moshood in Constituency II. If we can do that, we can increase of Commissionership position from two to three or four”, Rep. Benson said.
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Otunba Amidu Adekunle Oduborisa, while also speaking, charged members of the APC to get at least five people each to vote for the party’s candidates in the coming election.
“For the coming election on Saturday, as much as we are here, if we can canvass for five people each, we will be talking about several thousands of votes and if we can do that on Saturday, we will be able to achieve it. Make sure that those you are canvassing have their own PVC and I believe everyone here has their PVC. If we canvass for five people each, the votes will be more than votes that Jimi Benson emerged as winner with”, he charged.
Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, also thanked members of the party and residents of Ikorodu in general for voting the APC during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.
He charged every members of the party to turn canvassers to ensure adequate victory for the party and for APC to maintain its control of Lagos.
Daini said that votes for Sanwo – Olu are votes for good governance and for Lagosians to be in control of Lagos.
“I want to appeal to you all to come out on Saturday to vote and not just come out alone, come out with your children and other family members”, he charged.
About 500 residents received ‘Apo Anu’ food packages for March edition at the event attended by party chieftains, council chairmen, members of APC and others.
