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Tayo Olanipekun
A group, Lagos West Concern Movement, has thrown its weight behind the Senatorial ambition of the former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opiefa.
The state Coordinator of the group, Mr. Shittu Odunlami Mutiu, while speaking with journalists in Lagos,said the constituents believe Opeifa will represent them better than Senator Olamilekan Solomon who is the incumbent, and that the people in Lagos West Senatorial District are moved by the “sterling qualities of Opiefa and his love for the downtrodden.”
He added that Opeifa’s “consistent efforts aimed at enhancing the welfare of members of his constituency” further endeared him to the electorate now clamouring for him to represent them in the Senate.
Mutiu said, “We endorsed him to represent us in the Senate this time around, because we have confidence in his ability to adequately represent us more than Senator Olamilekan Solomon, who is the incumbent.
“He has been jumping from one constituency to the other, from Lagos to Ogun State to be elected as Governor. This kind of political harlotry has clearly shown that he is not from this Senatorial District, and does not have our interest at heart.”
The group distanced itself from the re-election ambition of the incumbent, whom they accused of absconding to Ogun state.
‘’We all saw when Solomon Olamilekan commenced the campaign to become next governor of Ogun state, under APC platform with a view to take over power from the incumbent, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in 2019.
‘’To us that move suggested that he was no more interested in representing us and wanted to become the next Ogun state governor, but now that he has lost that bid he wants to return to the Lagos West Senatorial seat where he wants to return as Senator come 2019, that is not fair the people are not happy with that.’’
‘’But if we support Comrade Opeifa, a true son of the soil , with intimidating credentials and who has championed the development of the constituencies that made up the district through various empowerment programmes, we are sure he will represent us well and bring development to this district. We have appealed to him to flag- off his aspiration and we think that will be done at the appropriate time.’’
He said the group has started canvassing votes and selling the politician he described as, “seasoned technocrat, teacher, luminous scientist, an indefatigable human and civil rights activist and product of collective struggle, a former University lecturer, unionist, ebullient and populist politician, progressive democrat as a brand.”
According to him, Lagos West being the most populous Senatorial district in the country deserves a full time Senator with known pedigree for service, adding that, “Opeifa, a comrade politician and current FCT Transportation secretary’s antecedent as a June 12 activist, an Asiwaju Bola Tinubu brought up and a Buharist to the core is our only choice of hope of the people.’’
