… As Indigenes, Non-Indigenes Kick Against YAYI’s Re-election Bid
- Insist Obanikoro Is ‘the Son of the Soil’
It was a weekend of several endorsements for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as an alliance of 15 youths and women organizations known as ‘The Mega Coalition of Lagos West for Good Governance’ and many other political-cum-social groups met and announced their endorsement of the former Minister as consensus candidate for the Lagos West senatorial district seat come 2019.
Recall, Senator Obanikoro who is seeking a return to the Nigerian Senate had in the past served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Ghana, as well as held ministerial appointments twice.
In a statement, Spokesman of the coalition, Alhaji Abdulmalik Musa Ibrahim, said that the decision was reached after series of meetings by the participating associations in Mushin local government areas after rigorous scrutiny of the numerous aspirants for the important job.
The statement read: “We are not in enmity with any of the aspirants. Our consideration is the candidate who is calm, calculated and has capacity to withstand the storm in running election.”
The statement further described Obanikoro as a national figure who has the capacity to give the senatorial district quality representation at the National Assembly.
Abdulmalik added that their consideration was not base on selfish or sentiment but on an individual that has capacity to win the elections come 2019.
The Coalition appealed to the delegates in the forthcoming congress to choose Obanikoro as their senator.
Stakeholders in Alimosho Local government have also voiced their support for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro ahead of the 2019 elections.
A letter titled “Expression of solidarity”, signed by about 150 prominent professionals and leaders, lauded the antecedents and achievements of the aspirant for the House of Senate, Lagos West Senatorial District under the platform of the rulling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Musiliu Obanikoro popularly called “ The Son of the soil”.
They said, “We, the undersigned leaders and stakeholders in Alimosho Local government, wish to express our solidarity with the soin of the soil, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who has been giving us quality representation and quality leadership at all time.
“We recall how he left the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the ruling party because of his desire to offer progressive leadership in our senatorial district.
“We are calling on well-meaning Lagosians and people of this senatorial district to support Obanikoro in his quest to re-position Lagos West Senatorial district.
Among those who have also expressed support for Obanikoro candidature as the APC flag bearer in the forthcoming primary were Elders, Youths and Stakeholders in Badagry Local government.
Elder Adeniyi Adebayo urged members of the party to support the candidacy of the former Minister of Defence owing to his wealth of knowledge and political experience.
Speaking on some of the traits which endeared them to the former Senator, Elder Adebayo said: “He has been experienced in various aspects of national life.
“These qualities will be brought to bear in achieving the ideals of the APC. So, we believe he will be a leader, he will be the embodiment of the spirit of the party and the experience will help him to make the party and our constituents grow grow.”
In another development, the list of major political stakeholders who have endorsed Obanikoro keeps increasing as a coalition of political organisations in Ikeja Local Government under the auspices of the Ikeja Progressive Alternative (IPA), declared its unwavering support for Obanikoro in its quest to become the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District.
The group made this known to journalists on Friday, at a rally held to show their support for Obanikoro’s bid.
The Coalition’s leader, Alhaji Arowolo Ogundele explained that “they are out to mobilised APC faithful from his constituency to support the son of the soil, who boast of rich and intimidating dozier.
“This is a man that has all the political experience in its array of politicking. We are proud to know that he is contesting, that is why we are mobilizing for him ahead of the party primary later this year.” He said.
Also, grassroots political support group known as Obanikoro Support Group (AACG), geared towards the realization of senator Obanikoro bid for the flag bearer representing Lagos West senatorial District , come 2019 has commenced the process of ensuring the realization of their political dream in the state.
The group which has widely touched all the nooks and cranny of the State noted that they believe Senator Obanikoro would clinch the ticket because of his vast experience in the country.
Comrade Olaitan Olajide while flagging off the support group at Ajeromi-Ifelodun, noted that, “Given the knowledge and exposure that he have acquired in a decade now, it is our believe that the Senator is in a better position to represent us well.
“Having served as an ambassador, Chairman of a Federal Parastatal, Minister twice, it is our conviction that he is in a position to add more value to Lagos and create the kind of partnership that Lagos and the Senatorial district needs to go to the next level.
Comrade Oliatan calls on party faithful in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency to give the Senator the massive support as the primary draws nearer.
Meanwhile, indigenes and non-Indigenes of Lagos State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the ages of “Coalition for Good Governance”, have kicked against the ambition of Senator Olamelekan Adeola popularly known as YAYI, stressing that he did not deserve a second chance in the red chamber.
The speaker for the group, Mrs. Ijeoma Akachukwu while briefing newsmen opined said: “They are still at loss of the ambition of Yayi. There are some germane questions, we need to ask ourselves. What has he done to merit a second chance? What constituency projects has he done for the benefit of his constituents? What did he use his constituency allowance for?”
She further said that, “It is on record that the present senator representing our constituency has been diverting Lagos tax payers money for his personal ambition in Ogun State; which have cracked already. It is also on record that because of his ambition in Ogun State is not seeing the light of the day again, that’s why he is coming back to Lagos State.”
Mrs. Akachukwu called on all well-meaning Lagosians to kick against Yayi’s re-election, stating that “He stole our mandate; we will not support his candidacy.”
However, a socio-cultural group, the Yoruba Alliance has called on the sons and daughters of Yoruba land to mobilize for Senator Obanikoro, as he makes a return to the senate.
The Public Relations Officer of the group, Comrade Ayodele Temitope stated that Obanikoro has all the experience and expertise to represent the Lagos West Senatorial District well.
Comrade Temitope said: “We are aware of the ambition of our son. We are also aware that recently he decamped to the party of the progressives. We are also aware that he has all the experience compared to other aspirant but we are however, soliciting your support through this medium for the Senator to be our flag bearer.”
