May 04, (THEWILL) – The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), pro-democracy organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), have concluded arrangements to organise a massive rally to loudly announce the second term endorsement and declaration of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The groups said they have already perfected plans to make good their initial plans to occupy any available space in the length and breadth of the state, with a very huge and unprecedented rally that would shake the state to its very foundation, to exhibit their joy and excitement over the endorsement and the eventual declaration of Sanwo-Olu to contest for a second term in office.
Speaking with journalists in Badagry, Comrade James Adeyemi of the Black Youth Vanguard (BYV), said, “there is no going back on the rally.” Adding that, “what now makes the rally imperative is the fact that Governor Sanwo-Olu, who we had earlier wanted to persuade to declare has already done so.”
According to him, what has changed in the plan is just the narrative about the wordings of the posters and placards that will now read “appreciation for hearkening to the patriotic voices instead of persuasion to contest.”
He said, “Several human right groups, various pro-democracy advocates and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), are already perfecting plans to storm every nook and cranny of Lagos State with huge and ground-shaking rallies to express excitements and delights over the reported endorsement of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
“This is sequel to the announcement of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), which is the Apex Lagos State political body of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, April 18, endorsing incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, for a second term in office from 2023.
“The announcement was made by the Council’s Secretary, Alhaji Mutiu Are, who was quoted to have said that the endorsement was hinged on the governor’s superlative achievements in office since 2019, when he mounted the governorship throne in the state. It was against this background that, the activists arrived at their decision to paint the state red in appreciation of the GAC’s welcome decision”, he said.
In a telephone conversation in Lagos on Tuesday, Comrade Ibrahim Ekundayo of the Egbe Omoluabi Eko, confirmed Adeyemi’s declaration that the plan towards the rally is very much on course, but with minor changes in the narratives to make it relevant with the current development.
Feelers reaching our office from other right groups and pro-democracy organisations, have it that they are all involved in the planning and that the rally, to all of them, is a welcomed idea and a task that must be accomplished.
For example, the National President, Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), Comrade Razaq Olokoba, was said to have described the decision to hold the ground-shaking rally as being in line with the collective conviction that Sanwo-Olu’s performance has qualified him to go for a second term in office.
Convener and leader of an all women Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women for Change Initiatives (WFCI), Barrister Eyitope Success-Adekunle, was also reported to have been in support of the idea with all her members in the NGO.
Others who are said to be equally involved include, but not limited to, Comrades Omolola Olukayode of the Movement for a Better Lagos, Adewale Oladipupo of the Epe Youth Forum and Adekunle Adeosun of Speak Out 24/7.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
