Battle for Lagos: Why Sanwo-Olu is our choice for guber election not LP’s candidate — Accord

…Says LP showing signs of unpreparedness for governance

…Declares full support for Sanwo-Olu’s re-election, says his proactiveness speaks volume for continuity

By Moses Adeniyi

The Accord, Lagos Chapter, has said it has resolve to mobilise all its members and marshall its support machinery for the reelection of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while dumping the Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on grounds that his party is unprepared for Government.

Accord, Lagos Chapter, said its decision was informed by acknowledgement of the responsiveness of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration in Lagos, and the monumental stride recorded within his first four years in office.

Speaking at a briefing to declare the support of the Lagos State Chapter of the Accord for Sanwo-Olu, the State Chairman, Dele Oladeji, said the choice of Sanwo-Olu has been informed by his responsiveness to critical events in the State over time, citing the recent PWD train/staff bus accident, which he said the credible response of the Governor was a reflection of a responsive government.

He lamented that if the Labour Party could fail in replying to an endorsement letter Accord addressed to it responsively for about a week, then its commitment to accountability would be questionable.

He further questioned that if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the platform of which Sanwo-Olu is running in the State could within a day reply to a notice of endorsement of its candidate directed to it by Accord, against the disposition of the LP, which is striving for power, then the disposition of the latter is a warning sign of its unpreparedness to rule.

“These are tempting signs of a party that is not ready to rule, that is not prepared for public service,” he said, mentioning that the sign informed the Accord’s rethink to withdraw its endorsement last Friday from the LP and go for the APC.

“We made our choice to go for the APC guber candidate (Sanwo-Olu), not by sentiment, but from his precedents and responsiveness so far.

“We have pledged in our letter that we are marshalling and mobilising all party members, executives and the voting public to vote and reelect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term,” he said.

Oladeji said though the Accord threw their support behind Mr. Peter Obi of  LP for presidential election, he said support for Sanwo-Olu is an unprecedented alliance with the APC.

“We can’t sit back and allow an impostor to blow the trumpet of a king. Today, we are adopting a gubernatorial candidate of choice,” he said, saying the choice of Sanwo-Olu against the LP candidate was informed having sensed that the LP in Lagos is not prepared for the Governance of the State.

He faulted what he described as insensitive comments by some elements saying they are on a course of “over running, taking over Lagos,” saying “we won’t allow these over zealous persons to cast blemish on the history of Lagos,” while arguing that the victory of Obi in Lagos for the presidential election was a collective effort and not an outcome of a section.

He, however, lamented that the national executives of the Accord defiled the primary processes of the party and enthroned candidates of their own choice against the wish of members.

Oladeji said members of the State Chapter were cheated by Accord national executives, pledging that the State Chapter will never allow impunity to reign.

He said the national Chairman of the Party which over stayed in office for 14 years beyond the eight year period constitutionally permitted, in connivance with some other national executives worked to “sabotage our efforts in Lagos and Oyo State” particularly.

Describing all candidates crowned by the national executives as impostors who cannot campaign, he said the candidate given the ticket as the Accord gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Hon. Akeem Dickson was imposed on the Party, mentioning that the legitimate candidate of the Accord for  the gubernatorial election is Pastor Peter Obayuwana who he said emerged from the convention and primary convened by the Lagos State Chapter.

The Accord guber candidate who stepped down for Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Peter Obayuwana said his decision was informed by the need to ensure every Lagosians enjoy more of the dividends of democracy, since Sanwo-Olu has proven his commitment to good governance.

“We are figting a just course. I have decided to step down because I know it is for the glory of all Lagosians. We want things to be better for Lagosians,” he said.

He lamented the alleged manipulations within his Party imposed by the national leadership, but said: “We cannot just sit back and fold our hands, we have to forge ahead and that is why today we are choosing Governor Sanwo-Olu to continue, and we believe that we have to work together in unity to defend Lagos as the centre of Nigeria where all tribes are represented. So, we want this State to move forward, we want every Lagosian to enjoy the dividends of democracy and that is why I’m stepping down for this State to move forward.”

The Lagos Central Senatorial candidate of Accord, endorsed by the State Chapter of Accord, Hon. Samuel Adigun, said Sanwo-Olu should be voted to continue based on credit of his performance.

He said having made Lagos an haven for Lagosians and Nigerians, his achievements in security, infrastructure, empowerment of youths and women, “it is common place and commonsensical” to re-elect him.

“We are endorsing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to continue his mandate. In security, infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, this man has done quite a lot and that is why we want to give him a chance to consolidate his effort for continuity in the next four years. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat are the candidates that we have endorsed. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is our Governor that we can allow and support to ensure Lagos becomes Lagos of our dreams,” Adigun said.

Keeping in view the loss of the APC to opposition LP in the presidential election held on February 25, there have been dicey projections, but officials of the APC have said there is no need to panic as those who are well aware of the performance of Sanwo-Olu, APC’s flagbearer, in office would re-elect him.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, had last week, while stating that factors that led to loss of APC’s strongholds such as Alimosho Local Government Area (LGAs) in the presidential election were being taken care of, said the Party would come out stronger in the Saturday March 18 gubernatorial election.

Affirming that Sanwo-Olu is the best among the candidates “in terms of knowledge, diligence and experience to run Lagos at this time,” he had said “running Lagos is not moi-moi,” a bean cake delicacy, positing that it takes only seasoned and experienced product to manage the State with its complex nature.

“There is no need to panic about Mr. Sanwo-Olu,” he assured, speaking of Sanwo-Olu’s performance, such as his stride in the management of the COVID-19 which he said attracted global attention, creating a response template to fight pandemic.

He said his achievements in infrastructure, education — with over 1,000 projects across districts of the State, among others, were speaking testimonies to affirm his re-election, saying Sanwo-Olu is “most competent to lead Lagos” among runners in the gubernatorial race.

He argued that “Lagos is too complex and delicate to be left in the hands of novices,” calling on Lagosians not to sacrifice competence for sentiment.

He discredited claims that the government is far from the youth, saying the campaign of the alleged #ENDSARS killings as ground against the Governor is a matter of emotion  Lagosians should not allow to dislodge their logic in making the right decision.