Ahead of the governorship election rescheduled for March 18, the Labour Party (LP) in Ogun state, has endorsed and adopted the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate and the incumbent governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun for another term of four years in office.
Speaking when he led the state executive members of the Labour Party to the governor’s residence at Iperu-Remo, the state chairman of the party, Comrade Michael Ashade, disclosed that the good works of the governor and the need to sustain them till 2027 informed the party’s decision to throw its weight behind him.
With Ashade were the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Abayomi Arabambi, State Secretary, Engr. Michael Feyisola, Women Leader, Elizabeth Oladimeji, Ogun East Senatorial Chairman, Babaseun Ogunyemi, State Treasurer, Sobayo Olaniyi and State Youth Leader, Adebiyi Adekunle.
Others are State Legal Adviser, Monday Mawahi, Assistant Secretary, Wale Okusanya, State Deputy Chairman, Otunba Yinka Adeboye, Senatorial chairman for Ogun West, Olufemi Olusola, State Organising secretary, Tosin Meadows and Youth Leader, Ogun West, Godwin Adeleye.
Ashade said: “We are here to appreciate His Excellency, our governorship candidate, whom we have come to endorse at this occasion. We have not had it better in Ogun State at a time like this, we as an opposition party are not intimidated by the fact that we are in the opposition.
“All through the campaign period which is still ongoing, I don’t think any party will complain that its supporters are being strangulated or impeded. None of our candidates can make that statement. We want to thank you, sir, for giving all the parties a level playing ground. We equally want to thank His Excellency for allowing peace to reign before, during and after the election of February 25.
”It is glaring that all through the nation, Ogun State can stand out as being the most peaceful during this election period. Your leadership style has alluded to this and your statesmanship in leading this state on the right path has laid credence to that.
“As the Chief Security Officer, the governor has demonstrated that all lives matter and everyone can say to an extent that Ogun State is peaceful and safe and we, even though we are in the opposition, we have come to say thank you for allowing peace to prevail in Ogun State.
” We have also come as a party to say we are supporting you on your bid to govern Ogun State for a second term. Even though we have lost, we are not losers, we are magnanimous even in our defeat and we are lending our support to you.”
While maintaining that the party’s support to the governor was key and symbolic, the Labour Party chairman observed that in present Nigeria’s political space, the LP has become a formidable force to be reckoned with as elections are no longer a two or three-horse race, pledging his members’ complete support at all times.
Ashade said that though no one is expecting Ogun to be El Dorado after the governor’s second term in office, the state is expected to fare better as his victory will bring another new dawn in the history of the state.