- Canvasses support for Edo guber candidate
Gboyega Akinsanmi
Amid the deepening socio-economic crisis confronting the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday said the APC “is the only political party that can take Nigeria out of the doldrums.”
Against this backdrop, the governor canvassed support for the APC governorship candidate in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, whom, he said, possessed all requirements to take the state to a greater height if he eventually won the September 10, 2016 election.
He made the remark in a statement issued after visiting to Edo State Governor, Comr. Adams Oshiomhole, in Benin City on Tuesday, noting that his administration had impacted positively on not just the economy of the state, but the national economy at large.
In the statement, Ambode explained the mission of the ruling party to rescue Nigeria from the brink, noting that the APC and the change mantra “is really in totality about what we want governance to be in Nigeria.
“What we have ahead of us as a party is beyond ordinary election. We need to take Nigeria out of its doldrums. The only political party that can do that is APC. We are happy to align with Edo State and other progressive states.
“That is why we are here as brothers to support our candidate. We, also, offer ourselves to ensure that the APC retains Edo. We will continue to send the same message across board across all the progressive states.”
Ambode, who was appointed the Chairman of APC National Campaign Council for Edo State, also acknowledged that he drew inspiration from Oshiomhole’s model of leadership “to bring good governance to the people of the state.
“I am very proud of all things you have done for Edo State and even Nigeria. Few achievements I have actually attained in Lagos State were driven and inspired by the kind of energy you bring to governance. I am very proud to be associated with you and the government of Edo State,” Ambode explained.
He therefore said he was pleased and humbled to be saddled with the task of leading the APC campaign to retain the state, saying continuity was germane “to sustain the foundation already laid down by the present administration.
“I have come here to accept physically the daunting task which has been laid upon me by the APC National Secretariat and appointing me as the Chairman of the Gubernatorial Campaign Committee of Edo State election.
“I am very pleased and humbled by that appointment. I have come, first, to apologize for not being around on Saturday when the committee was inaugurated because of some exigencies, and to show my commitment to ensure that our gubernatorial candidate not only wins the election, but he is able to show his footprints just like what the present governor has done,” he explained.
Beyond electoral victory, Ambode said Lagos State would explore the opportunities available “to develop a major commerce and economic relationship with Edo State as soon as Obaseki emerges as the governor. The partnership will ensure that Edo State develops at a faster pace.
“What I can promise is that we have decided that we will bring the whole machinery of the Lagos model to Edo State. In addition, we believe strongly that Edo State has the potential of becoming a giant in Africa.
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