Lagos LP Faction Endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

The Conscience Forum of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos state has dumped the party’s governorship candidate and endorsed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat for another term in office.

Leader of the group, Hon. Moshood Salvador, announced the withdrawal of the group’s support to Rhodes-Vivour at an event held in Surulere, Lagos on Thursday.

Salvador, who was LP Senatorial candidate for Lagos West in the February 25 National Assembly poll, said the endorsement became necessary so as not to mislead the youths of the state.

He stated that Lagos is too important to be left for inexperienced politicians to toy with.

He said, “Today is another historic day. It is historic because Lagos youths look up to me as their guidance for them not to miss their ways.

We have seen many things while we are in LP. We are not leaving LP but we want to avoid leading our members to nonsense.

We have some few steps we have taken in the last six months and if we should continue, we will be guiding our youth to destruction.

Lagos is the most important state in Nigeria with over 7million voters in Nigeria. It is the home of all ethnic groups therefore it should not be used for democratic experiment.

It should not be left for inexperienced politicians to toy with.

I am therefore urging our members to vote for character and quality regardless of party affiliation.

Be reminded that at every campaign of LP, our presidential candidate, Peter Obi has always emphasised that we should not vote for bad people because of him.

He said we should vote for those that will support good governance and leadership.

Therefore, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has no quality of a good leader. He has no regards for party leadership when he is yet to become the governor.

If he becomes the governor he will be worse. Therefore having considered the three leading governorship candidates, the Conscience Forum choose to endorse the candidature of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for another term.

The Youth of this state, I am standing before you to say tomorrow will be better if you vote for Babajide Sanwo-Olu for another term as governor of the state.”

Reacting to the endorsement, Lagos state deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, pledged to correct the wrongs of the past when elected for another term.

He urged the youths to shun negative emotions and vote for the right party and candidate in the forthcoming polls.

He said, “We are human beings. It is natural to make mistakes. So as leaders we must admit that we have made mistakes.

The world today is an angry world. It is not limited to Nigeria but what is important that you must understand that we made mistake and we are ready to correct it.

The biggest demography for us is the youth. And how do we involve them in governance. We have made that mistake and it will be corrected.

But my advice to the youth is for them to increase their skills. They must bring something to the table.

Anger is not a strategy . It is a negative emotion. It is important for us to be mentored. Many of us don’t have the opportunity to be mentored by a decent human being. It is good to be mentored and be guided.

I stated earlier that we have made mistakes and that we must correct them but we must not be in a rush.

We must put a round peg in a round hole. Let us see our future. We have to make it and by God’s grace, we will.

Lagos is the focus of our country therefore it is too important to be experimented with. The strategy is, what do we have to do to make things better?

It’s simple, let’s all come out on Saturday and vote for the APC.

I want to thank everyone for listening to us. I want to pray that God will direct out path. You will not be victim of a wrong governor.”
In his remarks, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senator Anthony Adefuye said, “I am happy at your decision to endorse Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat. Your decision is justified considering most of the good things they have done for Lagos in the last four years.

You can also see a lot of changes across the state. They have done marvellously well. I have another engagement but I chose to come here today. Lagos state belongs to us and nobody will come from nowhere to take it from us.

Come out on Saturday and vote massively for Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat.”

A former commissioner in Lagos state, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole appealed to the youth to be calm and shed their anger to achieve a better tomorrow.

He said, “The most important thing I want to say is that something happened that is a game changer.

Before now the youth has become unconcerned to the development of the state and by the time they wanted to participate, they came in anger.

But I want to tell you that the elders have heard you and our party has thought about it, my own is to come and beg you to calm down.

You have shown your anger but what is the next step? In Lagos state , everything is achievable and this can be achieved with your vote for Sanwo-Olu.

I am begging you to calm down for us to have a better tomorrow.”

A chieftain of LP and House of Representatives Candidate, Hon. Sola Opeyemi Taiwo said Lagos state deserves an experienced and matured governor which LP candidate cannot give.

He said, “I want to say a big thank you to the deputy governor of Lagos state.

We have looked at what exist in LP. If we are to conduct an election, LP will win but We are looking at maturity, experience, character and confidence.

If we put the burden of Lagos state on Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, his shoulder will sink. As I speak, the LP deputy governor has blocked my line. She alleged that I have been compromised that I worked for the APC.

We are going back home to vote for Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat come Saturday, March 18.”

Representative of former chairman of LP in Lagos, Oyindolapo Omotayo requested for direct access to the incoming administration if re-elected.

She said, “The Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour neglected the former chairman of the party. He denied us access. We want you to work on this. We want to have free access to you.”

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