No fewer than 128 groups and trade associations in Lagos on Thursday pledged support to the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Jide Sanwo-Olu, for the 2019 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the groups and associations endorsed the APC candidate at a gathering in Ikeja.
Some of the groups that pledged their support included the National Union of of Road Transport Workers, All Farmers Association of Nigeria and Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans.
The Lagos State Central Sand and Granite Suppliers Association and Community Development Committees were also among those that endorsed Sanwo-Olu.
A group of entertainers, including a popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Alabi (Pasuma); Nollywood actors such as Nike Peller and Kunle Affod; and Chief Jimoh Aliu also pledged support for the APC candidate.
Speaking, the state Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, said the union was solidly behind Sanwo-Olu and APC.
He said the union believed in Sanwo-Olu’s vision to take Lagos to the next level, saying that transport workers in the state would give him the right support in 2019.
“We are solidly behind Mr. Sanwo-Olu and by God’s grace, he would get the necessary support from us in 2019,” Agbede said.
Also speaking, Peller said the entertainment industry had benefitted immensely from the APC government in the state, adding that entertainers would naturally support Sanwo-Olu for continuity.
She said she personally trusted in the vision of Sanwo-Olu to further the progress of the state, noting that she would mobilise support for him.
Pasuma said he would stand with Sanwo-Olu and the APC in the 2019 elections.
“I am for Sanwo-Olu. He is my candidate and I am urging all residents to support him to make the state better,” he said.
NAN reports that representatives of AFAN, LASCOTA, CDCs in all the 57 councils spoke in turns to pledge support for Sanwo-Olu.
Speaking, Sanwo-Olu thanked the various groups and associations for the endorsement, saying it reflected the belief they had in him.
He said he would be looking forward to more of that support when campaigns begin in order to realise the goal of an emerging governor.
He said: “I am very grateful for this great show of support.
“I can’t thank you enough for this large turnout.
“This is just a meeting and we are having this large number of our people coming to support us.
“I am so impressed and I also thank the organisers of this initiative.
“I thank you once again and I want to assure you that governance is coming next to us.”
NAN reports that 57 grassroots coordinators of Sanwo-Olu campaign as well as their secretaries were inaugurated at the programme.
APC chieftains, including the State Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun; Director-General of the Independent Campaign Group, Tayo Ayinde; and a former Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, Chief James Odunmbaku, were present at the programme.
The deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, was also at the gathering.
