AYODELE AJANI
Former aspirants who lost in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
primaries to pick candidates for the various offices have thrown their
weight behind the governorship ambition of Mr. Jimi Agbaje.
A statement issued by the Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organisation (JACO) on
Tuesday stated that the decision was reached at a stakeholders’ parley
between Agbaje and the aspirants.
Although they expressed reservations regarding the outcome of the
primaries and the unjust substituting of some of the names of
erstwhile victorious aspirants, the PDP members at the meeting held at
the campaign secretariat of the governorship hopeful on Monday, they
promised to work for the success of the party in the forthcoming
general elections scheduled to commence in February 16.
Apart from Agbaje, who was joined by his Running Mate, Mrs. Haleemat
Buhari, other leaders of the party present at the meeting included,
former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, a member of the
PDP Board of Trustees, Hajia Aduke Maina and the State Deputy
Chairman, Alhaji Hassan.
Members of the group who termed themselves as “aggrieved aspirants”
reeled out series of infractions that characterized the primaries,
saying, despite perceived lapses, they had resolved to support
candidates of the party at the polls.
After listening to their complaints, a visibly elated Agbaje told them
that their sacrifice for the party would not be in vain.
His words: “I am happy to meet all of you today. I am particularly
delighted that despite the fact that the primaries didn’t go the way
you have envisaged, you are still faithful with the cause. I am also
happy that you have decided to sacrifice your individual ambitions for
the collective good of all Lagosians. The task to liberate our state
from the stranglehold of an individual is a collective one.
“It is not about me but about the people of the state who are bearing
the brunt of the rulership of the prevailing order in the state. With
the decision you have taken, I am assuring you that you would carried
along as valued stakeholders.”
Ogunlewe, in his remarks, said the elections called for the collective
efforts of all to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC), saying, Agbaje had become the symbol of the struggle
and all stakeholders must rally behind him.
“I am assuring you that the day Agbaje becomes the Governor of Lagos
State will become a watershed in the history of the state. Let all of
us rally round him to make sure that he wins,” Ogunlewe said.
Maina thanked those present, saying, their sacrifices and loyalty
would not go unnoticed by the party.
“I understand your plights, all that happened is well known to me but
we should all put them behind us in the task of removing the state
from the shackles of the oppressors,” she said.
