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OPC endorses Sanwo-Olu for Lagos gubernatorial election

By Seye Olumide
04 January 2019   |   3:25 am
The subtle misunderstanding between the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Lagos chapter of All progressives Congress (APC) has ended as the group recently pledged to support the party’s standard bearer, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in the coming governorship election. While speaking at a well-attended programme held…

APC Lagos State governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu…..PHOTO: Twitter/jidesanwoolu

The subtle misunderstanding between the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Lagos chapter of All progressives Congress (APC) has ended as the group recently pledged to support the party’s standard bearer, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in the coming governorship election.

While speaking at a well-attended programme held at the Independent Campaign Organization (ICG) in Ikeja yesterday, the group promised to mobilise support for Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, and assured the candidates of victory.

The development was contrary to what took place during the 2015 elections, when the group supported the major opposition Peoples Democratic (PDP).

In his speech, Deputy President of OPC, Chief Ibrahim Olanrewaju, while expressed regret over the death of the founding father of the socio-cultural group, late Frederick Iseotan Fasehun, said his mission to unite OPC and APC leaderships was eventually achieved.

According to him, “We are so happy today that we were able to unite APC leaders with our group. This is what Faseun wanted to achieve while alive.

We want to assure APC that in the coming elections, we will work for the success of the party, not only in Lagos, but also in all Southwest states, include other states across the country.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of ICG, Tayo Ayinde, said it was imperative to support President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, in the next presidential election, and stressed that Nigerians must be ready to vote and also stand to protect their votes.

According to him, “We want you to please be vigilant during the election by ensuring that you defend your votes, follow the votes to the collation centres.”

However, the candidate of PDP, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, faulted the appointment of Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the new Head of Service in the state.

Agbaje’s reaction came on the heels of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s appointment of Muri-Okunola, as the 21st Head of Service on Monday. He described the action as sacrificing career progression and politics taken too far.

According to Agbaje, “The decision was insensitive, unjust and disruptive of the Civil Service hierarchy.

Indications are that, to pave way for the assisted meteoric rise of the new HoS, Lagos State Government had between January and November 2018 forcefully retired no fewer than 21 permanent secretaries, considered as superior and more experienced than the new man.”

Agbaje dismissed the new HoS as part of the machinations of oligarchy controlling and monopolising all the levers of power in the state.

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