Badagry division endorses Ambode for second term

AHEAD of the 2019 gubernatorial poll, the Badagry division of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday threw its weight behind the re-election bid of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

The division is made up of four Local Government Areas (LGAs), including Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo -Odofin, Ojo, Badagry and six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) namely, Iba, Oriade, Ifelodun, Oto-Awori, Badagry West, and Olorunda.

Chairman of the party in the division, Mr Rabiu Oluwa, made the declaration as he later handed over endorsement letter to the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule.

He said the governor was being endorsed based on what he described as an unprecedented and all-inclusive governance offered by Governor Ambode, saying that the administration had scaled up infrastructure development in the state.

According to Oluwa, Ambode was adopted as the division’s sole candidate because of his achievements in the past three years, saying that the governor’s total dedication to duty coupled with the enormous developmental projects and his desire to make the state a better place to live, had automatically earned him a second term in office.

“Gov. Ambode’s unimaginable performance and commendable zeal for developmental projects have been visible in every nook and crannies of the state, especially in Badagry division.

“In this division, we benefitted in the programmes and policies of Governor Ambode led-administration. This is why we are declaring our support for his re-election so that he can continue to make our division and Lagos an enviable state,” he said.

Oluwa urged residents to be part of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC), adding that their voter cards remained their weapon which they can use to support continuity of good government.

“You have to register as a voter to be eligible to vote. We must take it seriously to make sure our names are in the voter’s register. Go to the polling centre to collect your PVC.

“I am calling on residents in Badagry division to enrol en masse and be in a position to vote in credible candidates such as Governor Ambode. It is our collective civic responsibility,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the LGA and LCDA Chairmen, Mr Abdul-Fatai Ajidagba of Ajeromi-Ifelodun said that Ambode’s performance in office had made the state a reference point in the comity of states in the country, urging his colleagues to mobilise support for the governor’s re-election in 2019.

“Talk about commerce and industry, good health care delivery, good roads across the state, quality education and prompt payment of workers’ salaries and arrears.

“In our division too, we can see the records, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Badagry Deep Sea Port and other road projects. These are some of the things that place the governor ahead of his contemporaries nationwide,” he said.

Youth leader of the division, Lukman Ajibola, said that youths of the state were soaring higher because of Ambode’s youths friendly government, calling for all hands to be on deck in ensuring that the governor was re-elected.

Also speaking, leader of the Arewa group in the area, Muhammed Sani Yaya, who led members of the Hausa community to the event, said his people supported the move to endorse the governor for a second tenure ticket because of his hard work and love for all Lagosians irrespective of their tribes or religions.

He said that the governor had proved himself to be a detribalized Nigerian and highly focused leader who is committed to the growth of his society.

Also, the Igbo group in the area came out to support the joint endorsement of the governor as the Chairman of the group in the division, Barrister Uche Ubochi, commended Governor Ambode for his leadership quality, noting that the governor through hard work had made Lagos State a template for measuring development in the country.

He added that various innovations introduced by the governor had added value to good governance and rendered the state a tourist destination.

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Receiving the endorsement letter on behalf of Ambode, the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, said that Badagry was an important and most populated division in the state.

“Population is what drives election and Badagry division has the population, therefore, this endorsement means a lot to the governor.

“The endorsement will motivate him to continue to prioritise the growth and development of the state as well as make the needs of the residents’ top issue,” she said.

Also present at the event to throw their weight behind the endorsement are Former deputy governor of the state, Princess Serah Sosan; former Lagos Head of Service, Sani Ajose; former member, House of Representatives, Hon. Colenius Ojelabi; Commissioner for Agric and Cooperatives, Oluwatoyin Suarau; Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Aramide Giwanson; Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Akinyemi Ashade, among others.