2019: Lagos AD holds primaries, picks Salis as gov candidate

AS the 2019 General elections draw nearer, Lagos State chapter of Alliance for Democracy (AD) on Friday picked Mr Owolabi Salis as its governorship candidate at its primaries which took place at the AD state secretariat in Lagos.

Salis, a former member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and former governorship aspirant on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged as the AD standard bearer having being the sole aspirant in an exercise witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security officials.

AD also picked its candidates for all other elective offices, including Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly through voice votes of delegates at the primary, presided over by the party chairman, Chief Kola Ajayi.

Speaking after presenting Salis with the party flag, the AD chairman, Ajayi described the winner as someone with a rich background in reconciliation and deep interest in the development of the less-privileged and the grassroots.

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According to him, Salis, as a grassrooter, with rich political and economic backgrounds, being a chartered banker and a chartered accountant, among others would no doubt deliver on the mandate of the party to improve the well- being of the less-privileged in Lagos if elected as next governor of the state.

Ajayi, while reeling out the AD vision for Lagos State, said it was the resolve of the party “to take back the state commonwealth from special interest and give it back to the people and for the benefit of all Lagosians.”

He also said the party was out to stop imposition, exploitation and stooge making in the state as well as assist the youth that were being systematically enslaved by using them for violence, among others, even as he promised that the party would promote the independence of the judiciary in the state.

Salis, who was a pioneer member and first secretary of Afenifere, USA chapter, in his remark, identified that any government performance would be measured by how it had been able to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

The AD flagbearer said to this end, he would ensure that three key areas, including shelter, education and healthcare would remain his focus if elected into office, come 2019, recalling former Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande, delivered on these key sectors and was able to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the state.