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| Babajide Sanwo-Olu |
The South-South Peoples United Forum of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, on Thursday, called on the governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, not to ignore it while constituting his cabinet.
The group, made up of indigenes of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States who are resident in Lagos, said they worked like any other ethnic group for the success of the APC during the just concluded general elections.
The group’s Chairman, Chief Isaac Emiyede, made the appeal at a press conference in Lagos.
Emiyede said over the years, the group’s efforts had not been adequately recognised and rewarded.
He said despite being starved of funds during the last electioneering, the group did not relent in ensuring that the party emerged victorious in different parts of the state where its members were resident.
While congratulating Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other elected APC members for their success in the recent elections, the group stated that it had never been involved in anti-party activities over the years.
He said, “We wish to reiterate that our loyalty to the party has remained unshaken and also to say that we are fully committed to the party’s policies and programmes.
“But the unfortunate irony which makes us cry out, despite our unflinching commitment to the party, is that in all these years of our activities, achievements and contributions, our efforts have not been adequately recognised.
“The party has not empowered us, neither has it given us any appointment as a group to sustain and keep the group together. During the last electioneering, we were grossly marginalised and starved of campaign materials and funds.
“In our determination to see that APC won all elections, we resorted to self-funding through contributions and donations by our members.”
Emiyede , however, commended the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; a former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; and the party’s chairman, Babatunde Balogun, for their efforts in ensuring the success of the party in the state and the country at large.
Also speaking, Chairman of the South-South Traditional Council of Chiefs in Lagos, Chief Vincent Ahwi, urged the incoming Sanwo-Olu led administration to recognise the group because members worked like the Arewa and Ndigbo groups in Lagos for the success of the party.
