Ohanaeze Ndigbo Backs Sanwo-Olu, APC For Alausa House

BY CHINYERE OBIORA, LAGOS – The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos has endorsed the candidature of All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the March 9 gubernatorial poll in the nation’s economic capital city.

However, the body is demanding six commissionership slots in exchange for mobilizing over two million Igbo voters in Lagos to support Sanwo-Olu with their votes at the elections.

Ohanaeze Lagos State leader, Solomon Ogbonna, announced the endorsement at their town hall meeting in Lagos on Sunday, assuring the APC flag-bearer that members have concluded plans to cast their votes for him.

Ogbonna said the Ohanaeze settle for Sanwo-Olu given his pedigree and capacity to fulfill his campaign promises when elected in Alausa House as the next governor of Lagos state.

Ogbonna further said; “we are endorsing him because this is the man that will give us what we have been craving for in Lagos.”

According to him, “This is the best that can happen to the Ndigbo in Lagos. So, come out and vote for him. Hold me responsible for this because I know him and I have seen what he can do.”

He also noted that when their members were attacked after the Presidential and National Assembly polls, “Sanwo-Olu’s actions showed his love for the Ndigbo to live peacefully in Lagos.”

Also speaking at the endorsement ceremony, former President of the organisation, Oliver Akabueze, said their members largely voted against the APC candidates during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly election because they did not like the choice made by the ruling party.

He explained that; “What played out during last election will not happen next Saturday because we love Sanwo-Olu. But during last election, the choice of the party did not meet our expectations and that is why we did that.”

Similarly, the Secretary of Ohanaeze Lagos, Everest Nweke, said the endorsement should not portray Ohaneze as having fully thrown itself into the murky waters of politics in the State, but only being protective and concerned about “how we are governed, especially the lives and property of Ndigbo, is our priority.”

In her remarks, Ohaneze woman leader, Nkechi Agubuzor, also assured that over two million of their members would be mobilised to cast their votes for APC and its candidates in the election.

Responding to the development in a tweet, the APC candidate, who appreciated the Igbo group for its support, also posted a video of the meeting.

With the development, political analysts are in agreement that the tension generated by happenings during and after the presidential and National Assembly elections seems to have been doused.