Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Tuesday, embarked on campaign tour of major markets populated by people from the South-East.
Sanwo-Olu took a tour of the markets ahead of the Saturday gubernatorial election, following the open endorsement for his re-election by Ndigbo community in the state.
It was a rousing welcome for Sanwo-Olu at an open forum organised by traders, under the aegis of the Auto Spare Parts And Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), in Trade Fair Complex, Ojo.
The governor, at the open forum, pledged to ensure safety of the businesses and properties of Ndigbo in Lagos State.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu met an amalgamation of Igbo traders across 58 major markets in Lagos. The traders, under the aegis of Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association, unanimously backed the governor’s re-election.
The governor also had interaction with traders at the popular mobile phone, computer and other electronics market (Computer Village) in Ikeja.
The engagements were initiated in response to concerns raised over safety of businesses and properties owned by South-East traders in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu allayed the fears of the Igbo traders, assuring them that Lagos would continue to be a melting pot for all Nigerians.
He said his administration would continue to foster security and promote peaceful coexistence among all ethnic nationalities in the state.
”I am here on a solidarity visit and to thank you for your public endorsement of my humble self, which I believe will be reflected at the polls on Saturday with the highest number of votes cast from members of your community.
”You are not giving us your support for anything; you believe we deserve this encouragement because my team and I have worked tirelessly to improve your well-being.
”Very soon, Ojo will have a brand new General Hospital that will serve your needs. You also have seen expressways and bridges being completed on this corridor and we have awarded rail project into Okokomaiko that will aid movement of people and goods.
”I am excited that Lagos is on the path of growth. Through your cooperation and peaceful coexistence, we can ensure that we will not only build the state, we will build a better country for ourselves,” the governor said at the Trade Fair forum.
He assured the Igbo traders of his government’s commitment to their prosperity, adding that the approval recently received by the state for development of Badagry Seaport was to facilitate economic development and boost logistics, especially in the movement of goods.
Sanwo-Olu pledged his administration’s commitment to the safety and security of non-indigenes living in Lagos, urging the Igbo traders not to listen to the scaremongers threatening to attack them because of their electoral choices.
”We will continue to work with your leadership to enhance cooperation and identify areas we can improve on to foster peace and stability. We will not be hostile to any community of non-indigenes.
”For as long as you conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner, your safety and security will remain our priority. There is no need for any law-abiding resident to be scared,” he said.
ASPAMDA President, Chief Ngozi Emechebe, described Sanwo-Olu as ‘a true friend of Igbo’, noting that the governor had never been hostile to non-Yoruba residents living in the state.
Emechebe said that the forum was initiated as a re-assurance of support of the Ndigbo community to the governor’s re-election, saying that the traders would work for Sanwo-Olu’s electoral victory in their respective polling stations.
”Sanwo-Olu is a good man and has demonstrated that he is a lover of Igbo. We have resolved to support the governor for second term because of his performance and his economic policies that have supported our businesses.
”Through this forum, we are assuring the governor that we shall sing the song of victory together with him,” he said.
Also, Sanwo-Olu urged Eti-Osa residents to support his re-election.
He appealed to the residents to join hands with his administration to continue the special journey of achieving Lagos residents’ collective vision of a Greater Lagos, noting that the incumbent government over the last four years, left no doubt as to how deeply committed they are, in their quest to positively transform the fortunes of Lagos State.
Sanwo-Olu, in a letter dated March 6, 2023, and addressed to Eti-Osa Residents, appealed to them to re-elect him for him to be able to complete all the ongoing laudable projects and programmes of his administration.
The letter reads in part: “It is my pleasure and privilege to write this letter to you as we approach the Governorship Election taking place this week, on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
“As your Governor for the last four years, I am asking you to please join hands with us to continue this special journey of achieving our collective vision of a Greater Lagos. We have, over the last four years, left no doubt as to how deeply committed we are, in our quest to positively transform the fortunes of Lagos State on behalf of all its people.
“Let me also say that, regardless of how we may have wanted the presidential elections to go, we are all united, as Lagosians, by the compelling dream of a Greater Lagos.
“This is why I am extending an invitation to you, to support this all-important task of bettering our State, by voting for me, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on March 11. I promise to continue to serve you with seriousness and diligence, and to continue the journey towards a Lagos that is the most dynamic and prosperous state in the country.”
Speaking on why he should be re-elected, Sanwo-Olu said his administration has achieved a lot in his first term with the completion of many laudable and iconic projects.
The Governor promised to complete all the ongoing projects and do more in his second term if re-elected.
He said: “There is so much that we have been able to accomplish over the last four years, and much more we can achieve over the next four, with your support.
“The first Phase of the Blue Line Rail has been completed, and the Red Line will equally be completed very soon. The Lekki-Epe Expressway is undergoing reconstruction from Ajah to Epe T-Junction; we have recently completed the section of it between Eleko Junction and Epe.
“Work is at an advanced phase on the new Lekki Regional Road that will serve as an alternative to the Lekki-Epe Expressway, connecting Freedom Way to VGC. We are investing in several new hospitals, upgrading our public schools, and empowering pupils and teachers with digital tools to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
“We have attracted billions of dollars into major infrastructure and manufacturing projects in our dear State, including the newly commissioned Lekki Deep Sea Port, which will create tens of thousands of jobs and uplift the economy of Lekki. We are pushing ahead with the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge that will connect Lekki to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”
Sanwo-Olu stressed further that “Indeed, there are many more transformational projects and programs that space will not permit me to outline here, that will yield massive dividends for all of us in Lagos State in the years and decades ahead.
“I seek from you the opportunity to complete these laudable projects and programs, and many more, which you can make possible by re-electing me as Governor of Lagos State on March 11, 2023.
“I thank you for your time and attention, and I look forward to serving you again, with humility, passion and diligence, for the next four years”.
