AN All Progressives Congress leader in Lagos East Senatorial District, Hon. Adebayo Osinowo aka Pepper, has said that there is no substance in rumours doing round that there was a problem between him and the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode or between the governor and leaders in the zone, declaring that all the leaders are solidly behind him (Ambode) for his second term ambition.
Osinowo said this while speaking at the empowerment programme organised by a member, House of Representatives, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of the state, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye.
Thousands of beneficiaries went home with various items, including tricycles, motorcycles popularly called Okada, hair-dryers, popcorn machines, barbing clippers, sewing machines, vulcanizers machines, among others.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the CMD Event Centre, Magodo and attended by state chairman of APC, Hon. Tunde Balogun; Lagos East Senatorial Leader, Alhaji Seriki Bamu; APC South West Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson: Deputy Senatorial Leader of the party, Hon. Adeola Oyedele; traditional rulers, among others, Osinowo declared pointedly that he was not at war with Governor Ambode at no time.
“I am not fighting Governor Ambode. All that was being said about me fighting Ambode is a lie,” he declared, adding that such rumour was not strange as Nigerians were currently witnessing “season of lies.”
Continuing, Osinowo, who is a sitting member of Lagos State House of Assembly, argued that the state had three senatorial zones where each zone had produced governor that served for eight years each, excepting Lagos East that was yet to serve its first four years through the incumbent, Mr Ambode.
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“We have three zones, Lagos Central has produced governor for eight years, Lagos West has also produced governor for eight years, (Lagos) East has not even spent four years in the position and they said we are fighting the governor. E gba gbe e, literally meaning, forget about it. And I am truly speaking my mind,” he said.
While insisting that leaders in the zone were united behind Governor Ambode for his second term ambition, the lawmaker urged party faithful in the zone to remain focused as well, praying God not to allow any rancour that would make them lose governorship ticket in 2019.
He commended Governor Ambode for his giant strides in the last three years, saying that the governor had successfully built upon the foundation laid by his predecessors and, therefore, deserved a second term in office.
Osinowo, while commending initiator of the empowerment programme, Hon. Agunsoye described him as a “good hunter” who was sent as representative of people to Abuja to bring democracy dividends.
“What we are witnessing here is democracy in action, which is government of the people by the people and for the people, without discriminating against the people as to whether they are physically challenged or not.
“Hon. Agunloye, who has been voted to represent his people in Abuja, can be described as a good hunter to have decided to share the empowerment items to his constituents without discrimination,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, chairman of APC in the state, Hon. Balogun declared that the party in the state was one, saying no faction existed within the fold.
Balogun, who expressed hope that APC in the state would continue to wax stronger, however, called on aggrieved members to seize the opportunity to reconcile with the party, pointing out that APC in the state was not fighting any member.
“I want to use the opportunity to say this that APC in Lagos is one and not factionalised. I, therefore, call on aggrieved members to come forward and reconcile with the party because the party is not at war with any of them,” the party boss said.
He also called on members to ensure they go out and register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing registration exercise, saying they would only be able to vote come 2019 provided they registered and obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).