Sanwo-Olu formally declares ambition, PDP reiterates offer to Ambode

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s main contender, on Sunday declared his intention to vie for the Lagos State governorship ticket of the All Progressives Party, promising to restore the glory of Lagos State.

The former Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pension, who spoke at the City Hall on Lagos Island on Sunday, stated that he would consolidate on the feats of the builders of modern Lagos if given the chance to govern the state.

Sanwo-Olu came into reckoning last Tuesday after he obtained the state governorship form.

He was immediately backed by the APC powerful Mandate Movement in Lagos, led by a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The chairmen of the 57 councils in the state followed suit by declaring support for Sanwo-Olu.

Sanwo-Olu, at the Sunday event, said since 1922 when the first election was decreed in Lagos, the history of the state had been shaped by “various democratisations and climaxes of Lagosians” on those who ruled them.

The aspirant said the contest for who governed the state threw up great men like Herbert Macaulay, Akintoye Ajasa and Dr Adeniyi Jones.

Sanwo-Olu said, “If elected, I shall immediately embark on full restoration of the glory of the state and make the people the cornerstone of government.

“I will restore the environment that has become the source of serious anxiety to Lagosians. I will relieve residents of the state the persistent gridlock that has made life brutish for all of us.

“Our government’s focal point shall be to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of the people of Lagos State. I have invited you all here to join me in this journey to take Lagos to a new dimension by transforming the manifesto of our party into the programme of action.”

He further said there was no way to review the history of Lagos without recognising the contributions of Brig. Mobolaji Johnson, who was the first governor of the state, and Pa Lateef Jakande, the first civilian governor of the state.

“Modern Lagos, since the inception of this administration, is blessed with innovators and visionary leaders. And that is why I must recognise the man that led the modernisation of Lagos, a celebrated tactician and national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Punch