Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday rallied Kwarans in Lagos to support the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Mohammed said Kwarans in Lagos have an obligation to support Sanwo-Olu and the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying many Kwarans have thrived in Lagos because of the accommodating and tolerant nature of the state.
He spoke in Lagos at an event tagged “Kwarans in Lagos endorse Sanwo-Olu.”
The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamza, at the event which held inside Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
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The Molade Okoya Hall inside the stadium was filled to the brim with Kwarans residing in the state, including present and past political officeholders.
In attendance were Rep. Jide Jimoh representing Lagos Mainland, Dr. Samuel Adedayo, Reps-Elect for Apapa Federal Constituency, popular Nollywood Artist, Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), among others.
The Minister who recalled that the association between Lagos and Kwara dated back to centuries ago said the state has accommodated many Kwara indigenes who have excelled in business, politics, entertainment, among other sectors.
He disclosed that his maternal grandfather came to Lagos at a very tender age, saying he died and was buried in Lagos.
“Kwarans have been very successful in Lagos and they have used the fortunes made in Lagos to develop their communities in Kwara. Through the fortunes made in Lagos, many good things have been done in their respective communities in Kwara.
“This would not have been possible without the peace and harmony we enjoyed in Lagos. Lagos and Kwara are like Siamese Twins. Our destinies are tied together. Without peace and harmony in Lagos, there cannot be peace and harmony in Kwara,” Mohammed speaking in Yoruba said.
According to him, the endorsement of Sanwo-Olu by Kwarans is a payback for the “”large-heartedness” of Tinubu.
“Our grandfathers and forebears will not forgive any Kwaran who fails to vote for Sanwo-Olu on Saturday because Lagos is good for everybody. We built houses here in Lagos and we also built houses in our various communities in Kwara State.
“I, standing before you, God used Asiwaju to make me who I am today. Who would have known me while doing my private practice as a lawyer if Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had not appointed me as his Chief of Staff in 1999?
“Whatever I have become today is by the grace of God and the support of Asiwaju who appointed me as his Chief of Staff, who supported me to contest for the governorship of Kwara State, who supported me to be appointed as the National Publicity Secretary of ACN before becoming a Minister.
“I therefore implore every one of us to go back to our wards and polling units and deliver for Sanwo-Olu come March 11, 2023. This is payback time for the people of Lagos. The people of Lagos have given my people the opportunities they have never been given anywhere before.
“We are gathered here to reassure Asiwaju and Sanwo-Olu that we the people of Kwara State in Lagos are not ingrates. We have asked the people to go back and deliver for APC. We will stand by you (Sanwo-Olu) from the beginning to the end.
“We will sleep at garages and markets to cast our votes. We will not leave until our votes are counted and Mr. Governor is declared the winner.”
The Deputy Governor said by re-electing Sanwo-Olu and himself on Saturday, the people of Kwara would be protecting their heritage.
He said Lagos, which is the fifth largest economy in Africa, is too important to be handed over to “dullards,” adding, “Lagos issue is not an experimental situation.”
He tasked Kwarans in attendance to mobilise their sons and daughters of voting age to come out en masse and vote for APC, saying the defeat of the APC in the Presidential election was because many people failed to come out.
“Let us call our children doing “Obistupid” to retrace their steps. We are Kwarans, we are not bastards. Let’s encourage our children to come out and vote,” he added.
The Deputy Governor assured the people to let their minds be at rest, saying, “It would be fire for fire. No shaking! Let us go out and cast our votes and nothing will happen to you.”
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