2019: Ambode’s supporters march for Sanwo-Olu
By Scores of supporters of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday staged a solidarity rally in support of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.
The supporters, who marched from the state secretariat in Alausa to APC secretariat on Acme Road in Ogba, also debunked the purported alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party as reported in some sections of the media.
The rally, organised under the auspices of Ambode Mandate Support Group (AMSG), had hundreds of the Ambode’s loyalists and were received by the state APC chairman, Tunde Balogun, alongside other state executive officers of the party.
Leader of the delegation, Akeem Sulaimon said the solidarity walk was to reaffirm the commitment of Governor Ambode to the victory of the APC in 2019 elections at all levels in the state.
Sulaimon, who is also the special adviser to Ambode on communities and communication, said it was also important to emphasise that Governor Ambode had truly accepted the choice of the party, adding that any contrary information was a hoax.
“We are here because a lot of people lately seem to be talking for our principal, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode claiming to be representing his interest and we need to let the whole world know that if anyone will represent his interests, it can only be those of us that belong to his campaign.
“Ambode is a man of God; he is a man who believes that the party is supreme; he is a man who has accepted the choice and the position of the party. He has accepted that Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is the candidate of our party, APC and he has equally been mobilising not just members of his group but he has been mobilising the party to ensure victory for Sanwo-Olu come 2019,” he said.
Speaking specifically on the alleged declaration of support for the opposition party by some supporters of the governor, Sulaimon said though the rally was planned long before now, nonetheless there was no truth in the said rumor, adding that the governor, as a loyal party man, would not do anything to rock the boat.
“We are organising this to show to Lagosians and Nigerians that our principal bears no grudge; he has no ill feelings. If he had wanted to fight at that time, he could have fought and so if he did not fight then, why would anybody be insinuating that he wants to fight now?
“We are here to let you know that he (Ambode) is not fighting. The governor’s directive to us is that we should all go out and mobilise for Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Irrespective of how things might have happened, the governor has equally benefited from the party and he says that he will not destroy the party that he has benefited from,” Sulaimon said.
The APC state chairman, Balogun commended the supporters for showing commitment to the party, saying the rally was a demonstration of Governor Ambode’s loyalty to the party.
“Trekking from Alausa to this place under this scorching sun is a tough task no doubt and it is a demonstration of your commitment and loyalty to this party; it is a demonstration of the commitment and loyalty of Governor Ambode to APC and I want to commend you all for this,” Balogun said.
Among those who led the rally were commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Muslim Folami; special adviser to the governor on civic engagement, Benjamin Olabinjo; chairman of Lagos Ferry Service, Paul Kalejaiye.
Joshua Bassey