BEVERLY HILLS, September 02, (THEWILL) – All aspirants seeking senatorial nomination in Lagos East on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the race in support of the former Group Managing Director, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru.
The aspirants that withdrew from the senatorial contest included the Vice Chairman, Lagos APC, Chief Kaoli Olusanya; a former Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Segun Ogunlewe and a former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye.
A former General Manager/Permanent Secretary, Lagos Television, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo; a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olanrewaju Odesanya and Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association, Chief Olusegun Abiru also stepped back from the race.
The aspirants withdrew from their aspirations ahead of the direct primary election scheduled to hold tomorrow (Thursday) across Lagos East in compliance with the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In their separate endorsements, the aspirants agreed to support Abiru’s senatorial aspiration due to what they ascribed to the need for the APC to conduct a direct primary election free of acrimony and ensure harmony among all that aspirants.
Olusanya explained his decision to withdraw his senatorial aspiration was in the overall interest of Lagos APC and to allow a candidate emerge from the primary election without internal conflict, which he said, could polarise Lagos APC.
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He said: ”I have to step back and allow someone else to take on the task of representing our senatorial district at this time, for some reasons that seriously have to do with the larger interest of our dear state and our great party.”
With their decision to withdraw from the race, Abiru, who formally retired from Polaris Bank on August 31, will emerge the party’s consensus candidate after all registered party members in Lagos East ratify his candidature through the direct primary election scheduled to hold on Thursday.
Apart from the aspirants that supported his senatorial nomination, Abiru has secured the support of Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the party’s most powerful structure in the state, ahead of the direct primary election.
Among others, the Council comprises the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, Lagos APC, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun; his Deputy, Chief Sunny Ajose, all previous governors of the state as well as all serving vice chairmen of the party.
Also, all members of Lagos State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind Abiru. All members of the National Assembly from Lagos State have equally endorsed Abiru’s senatorial bid.
