Connect with us

Politics

SANWO-OLU CELEBRATES ABIRU’S VICTORY, AS GOVERNOR HOSTS APC CANDIDATES FOR LAGOS BYE-ELECTIONS

Published

on

SANWO-OLU CELEBRATES ABIRU’S VICTORY, AS GOVERNOR HOSTS APC CANDIDATES FOR LAGOS BYE-ELECTIONS

Hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared winner in the Saturday Senatorial bye-election held in Lagos East district, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted the Senator-elect, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, at the State House, Marina, to celebrate the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the poll.

 

SANWO-OLU CELEBRATES ABIRU’S VICTORY, AS GOVERNOR HOSTS APC CANDIDATES FOR LAGOS BYE-ELECTIONS

The State House erupted in jubilation, as State party chairman, Hon. Tunde Balogun, formally presented the Senator-elect, and the APC candidate who won Kosofe Constituency II bye-election, Hon. Femi Saheed, to the Governor.

 

SANWO-OLU CELEBRATES ABIRU’S VICTORY, AS GOVERNOR HOSTS APC CANDIDATES FOR LAGOS BYE-ELECTIONS

Abiru polled 89,204 votes in all the 16 local councils in Lagos East district to defeat his major challenger, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 11,257 votes.

 

 

Also, Saheed received 12,494 of the 15,124 total votes cast to win the Kosofe Constituency II seat.

The candidates were accompanied on the meeting with the Governor by chairman of Tokunbo Abiru Campaign Council, Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya, party leader, Chief Bode Oyedele, women leader, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, and other party stalwarts from the district. Also, there were members of the House of Representatives from Lagos East district, including Hon. Jimi Benson, and Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye.

Sanwo-Olu described the APC’s triumph in the bye-elections as “two-fold success”, saying the results indicated the party remained the first choice for Lagosians. He said Lagos residents would always reckon with APC, given the party’s progressive credential and responsible leadership.

Sanwo-Olu said the outcome of the elections, should be seen as a result of the huge popularity, which the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu enjoys in Lagos, as well as a demonstration of faith and loyalty to Tinubu’s progressive ideas, which had transformed Lagos in physical development and economy.

He said: “For us a party, we always see our success at the polls as acceptance of our progressive governance. With almost 90 per cent margin in the Senatorial bye-election, it goes to show that APC remains the party of first choice in Lagos State. I thank our leaders and party members for supporting Abiru on this journey and delivering the victory. I particularly congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision, his ability to diagnose challenges and pick talented individuals that will efficiently tackle the challenges.

“The victory of our party in both elections is for the people. This is a big deal for all Lagosians because Abiru won’t be a senator for the APC members alone; he is going to do the representational duty for all his Lagos East constituents and by extension, all Lagosians. The same goes for Hon. Femi Saheed. This success goes to show there’s something our party is doing well and for which it is being rewarded by the people. We won’t take this for granted; we will buckle up and show more commitment to programmes that will make Lagos greater.”

Sanwo-Olu praised Tinubu and party elders for the choice of Abiru for the senate seat, pointing out that the lawmaker-elect possessed requisite experience and career profile, which stood him out as a best candidate for the assignment.

The Governor urged the elected lawmakers to see their victory as a call to serve the people and be good ambassadors of the party in the legislative chambers.

Sanwo-Olu hailed all APC members for working together to deliver the victory for the party.

Abiru, the immediate past Managing Director of Polaris Bank, described his victory as an attestation of APC’s acceptance at the grassroots despite the recent occurrence, appreciating Sanwo-Olu for mentoring throughout the electioneering.

He said: “I have accepted this assignment with modest accomplishments both in the public and private sectors. The assurance I want to give the people is that, I will bring my experience to bear performing my roles and giving quality representation. I will always be faithful to the party and make myself accountable to the people.”

Abiru restated his commitment to his campaign promises, pledging to galvanise support for a special status for Lagos and restructuring.

The lawmaker-elect disclosed he would be setting up a personal endowment platform for the empowerment of unemployed youths and aged people in his constituency.

Balogun said APC’s victory demonstrated members’ dedication and loyalty to the party vision. He said Lagos voters used the bye-elections to show their confidence in APC, stressing that the party defeated PDP at every polling unit across areas where the protesters elections were held.

“Gbadamosi’s loss is a rejection of the PDP for supporting hoodlums in the violence at the end of EndSARS protests. Our victory in these bye-elections showed the support people have for our Government in Lagos. We thank you, Governor Sanwo-Olu, for your leadership, support and dedication to cause of the party,” Balogun said.

Politics

Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

Published

on

Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

 

 

Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun Central, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the organizers of the Abeokuta Film Festival, who recently honored him with an award and decorated him as Patron of the Festival.

 

Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

 

Receiving the award personally at his residence in Abeokuta, Senator Amosun emphasized that legacy and service should outweigh the pursuit of recognition. He commended the organizers for promoting local achievements but noted that true leadership lies in quiet, impactful service rather than self-promotion.

 

 

 

“I’ve never been the type to chase awards or honors,” he said. “If you’re in a position of authority or leadership, just do your work. That’s what you’re there for. Let the impact speak for itself.”

 

 

 

Referencing historical figures such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Amosun remarked that their legacies endure not because of awards, but because of the depth of their contributions. While he acknowledged the motivational power of recognition, he reiterated that real reward lies in meaningful impact.

 

 

 

Senator Amosun praised the Abeokuta Film Festival as a vital cultural platform and called for its expansion across Ogun State and the Southwest region. He proposed greater collaboration and suggested a regional brand identity such as “KAARO OJIRE,” which he said could showcase the diversity of languages and stories from the area.

 

 

 

Pledging continued support for the initiative, he assured the organizers of his availability whenever needed. “Even without this award, I’ve always been ready to contribute. Now, with this recognition, I’m even more inspired to do more,” he stated.

 

 

 

In conclusion, he dedicated the award to the pioneers and legends of Nigeria’s film industry, including Hubert Ogunde and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, whose timeless contributions, he said, continue to inspire generations.

 

 

 

Among those who were on the entourage to do the honour was the National President, Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners, Popular Nollywood Actor, Dr. Hafiz Oyetoro, Popularly known as Saka, and Convener, Abeokuta Film Festival, Hon. Kehinde Soaga (dgn)

Continue Reading

Politics

Constitution review should reflect views of the people – Ndarani

Published

on

Constitution review should reflect views of the people – Ndarani

By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, July 11, 2025 (NAN) A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani, SAN has advised the National Assembly to ensure that the current constitution review reflects the views of the people.

Ndarani gave the advice during a press conference on Friday in Abuja.

He noted that developments in the country today justify the complete overhaul and comprehensive amendment to the 1999 constitution, which was only made as an annexure to a military decree.

He said that the current constitution has gone through five amendments and yet, it is generally believed that it could be much better.

“My stand has always been to draft a totally new constitution but if we must continue to tinker with the same document over and over again, it has to be thorough this time around.

“There have been many efforts to knock it into shape, but with very little success.

“The truth, however is that the constitution has to be fundamentally solid and take into account the special characteristics of the entity for which the document is being drafted’’.

He advised that the process must draw from the peculiarities of Nigeria, the demographics, ethnicity, economic structure as well as the many other variables that make up this complex society called Nigeria.

“There is therefore a great need for the National Assembly to make provision for a proper referendum prior to amendments to those critical areas of the constitution.

“This is what will give the said constitution or act the touch of the people, imbue it with much-needed legitimacy and bring the laws closer to the people and vice versa.

“Considering that the Zonal public hearings are already underway, the voice of the people should be heard to ensure a greater relevance and acceptability of the outcome.

“The world over, constitutions are amended to respond to socio-economic, cultural and political changes, so the amendment process must entail the mass participation of the people’’.

The senior lawyer said that no constitution is entirely good or completely bad. It is believed that it all depends on the people who apply and implement the provisions.

“It must be transparent, credible and rigorous enough to ensure that it is done in the interest of the people, and not to protect the personal interests of some individuals.

“In many instances amendments are seen as a means of protecting vested interests as power blocs see the process as a political poker game, rather than a democratic rearrangement to benefit all’’.

Ndarani noted that Nigeria is a state founded on the principles of democracy and social justice, emphasizing that sovereignty belongs to the people.

“It also mandates the participation of the people in their government as enshrined in Chapter II, Section 14 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“It explicitly states that the people of Nigeria hold sovereignty, and the government’s powers and authority are derived from them.

“It equally ensures the participation of the people in their government through various means, as outlined in other sections and chapters’’.

He, therefore, wondered why the National Assembly removed some submissions of the people especially the one calling for a removal of the immunity clause.

“We are talking about fighting corruption at the highest places and they are refusing to allow debate on the removal of the immunity clause.

“Who told them to remove those submissions, was it the people? Removal of the mmunity clause is part of what the people want.

“The people want to be able to hold their leaders accountable and the removal of the immunity clause will help them gather evidence and prosecute erring leaders.

“We need naked justice. So, why did the National Assembly not allow the views of all the people who have submitted memoranda to be considered?”

He called on the National Assembly members to resist the urge to simply go, sit down in their houses and begin to handpick bills and memoranda according to their whims.

“They should allow whatever is the opinion of people on the people’s constitution to prevail.

“The drafters should listen more to the people and ensure that it is a national dialogue indeed, and a participatory constitutional reform process that reflects the aspirations of all Nigerians.

“The review should result in a responsive and efficient constitution that will address structural, fundamental and emerging issues within the Nigerian Federation.

“With the right constitution to guide the Nigerian nation, this country has the wherewithal to be one of the leading nations on earth,’’ he added.

“Let us put our heads and hands together to realize that greatness.”

The learned silk aligned himself with the indigeneship bill tabled by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

Kalu had proposed a bill to grant indigene status to individuals who have resided in a state for 10 years or married a native, which has ignited deep controversy across Nigeria.

“I see it as a progressive move for national unity. Nigerian citizenship is primarily defined in Chapter 3 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“It outlines three ways to acquire citizenship as long as you meet certain requirement by law, one of which is that a person born in Nigeria is a citizen by birth if either of their parents or any of their grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria.

“Nigeria should be operating along global standards by now.

“For example, in the UK or USA once you are a citizen, you have the right to contest for an elective position in any part of the country where you reside.

“Nobody should be prevented from contesting for a position because his parents were not from a particular city, state or locale. Citizenship should take precedence over other mundane considerations’’.

He reiterated that the preamble to the constitution says that `we are one indivisible nation, once we are citizens of Nigeria.

“That means that you take a position based on citizenship in the state, not on indigeneship. And there should be no discrimination.

“This citizenship provision is saying that Nigeria is one indivisible nation. It is Nigeria first, before individuals.

“That bill is very, very good and I also lend my voice to it, because that should be the ideal situation.

“The constitution should have state citizenship: that is you know where you come from, but once you have your citizenship, like in the UK, nobody will ask you where you are from.

Continue Reading

Politics

LG Polls: Speaker Obasa charges Lagos West APC candidates to intensify campaigns, assures of the Assembly’s support

Published

on

LG Polls: Speaker Obasa charges Lagos West APC candidates to intensify campaigns, assures of the Assembly’s support

…As Lagos Railway Corporation and Ibile Energy Corporation bills scale second reading

Ahead of the local government elections holding Saturday, July 12, across the state, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa met with candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from the Lagos State West Senatorial District at the assembly complex on Tuesday, charging them to knock on all doors and campaign vigorously until the very last day to ensure victory at the polls.

As a show of support, Speaker Obasa contributed generously to the candidates’ campaign purses and assured them of the Assembly’s unstinting support before and after the elections.

At the meeting, which was attended by all the APC chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillorship candidates, Speaker Obasa urged the candidates not to rest on the party’s laurels but to maintain momentum and outreach efforts until the very last day of campaigning. “Engage with everyone in the community, regardless of their ethnic background or religion,” he implored, while harping on the necessity for candidates to actively supervise those assigned to manage their campaigns.

The Speaker also admonished the candidates to adopt a mindset centred on service to the people when they assume office, adding, “Your focus should be on serving your constituents with integrity and commitment, and you must have respect for democratic institutions and practices.”

Further, he proudly noted that Lagos remains unique among states in the country, as it grants local government chairmen a four-year tenure per term, allowing for more sustained governance and grassroots development.

The meeting concluded with a palpable sense of urgency and resolve among the APC candidates, as they prepare to take their campaigns to the grassroots, embodying the spirit of service and dedication imparted by Speaker Obasa.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Railway Corporation bill and the IBILE Energy Corporation Bill have scaled the second reading.

According to the Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Babatunde Adams, who spoke during plenary later on Tuesday, the proposed ‘bill for a Law to establish the Lagos State Railway Corporation to improve Railway Transportation in Lagos State and for connected purposes’, seeks to provide efficient and reliable transportation services, and establish a Governing Board tasked with overseeing the corporation’s operations.

Hon. Adams, the member representing Eti Osa Constituency 1, said, “With South Africa leading in Africa with a 20,926 km railway network and Nigeria currently at 3,798 km, Lagos, as Africa’s second-largest city economy after Cairo, must take the lead in innovative rail transport solutions.” He added that the bill will set up a standard railway corporation comparable to any across the globe.

Similarly, the House also read for the second time, ‘A bill for a Law to establish the IBILE Energy Corporation’, which Hon. Sobur Oluwa, chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, described as a transformative one for the state’s energy landscape.
“If passed into Law, the corporation will attract innovation, investment, and reshape the energy sector of the State,” he said.

In his remarks, Speaker Obasa commended the essence of the bills and noted that when eventually passed into law, they will mark a significant advancement in the assembly’s efforts to modernize infrastructure and strengthen the state’s economy. He, thereafter, committed the two bills to the committees on Transportation and Energy and Mineral Resources with a mandate to submit their reports at the earliest possible time.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending