Lagos Governorship Election: Reasons Ndigbo Should Vote for Sanwo-Olu
By Chidiebere Onyemaizu
Lagos is home to millions of Ndigbo.Their entrepreneurial and can- do spirit have seen them establish and run millions of Naira worth investments and other businesses in all parts of the state.
All over Lagos, Igbos are deeply rooted in commerce and other forms of economic activities- hospitality, tourism, real estate, manufacturing, oil and gas etc- and this is because the business environment in the state is friendly, all thanks to the business- friendly policies of the Sanwo- administration and the administrations before his.
And so, on this Saturday, what do the Igbo in Lagos desire? Of course they desire a governor who will deepen the existing calm and exciting business climate and further accommodate them in government!
Ndigbo’s push for a new dawn, for a sustained, secure and peaceful business environment and accommodation in decision making process in Lagos is on the cusp of crystallization and the man who will further give flip to it is His Excellency, Governor Babajide- Sanwo-Olu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is a friend of the Igbo, a likeable personality and God-fearing man who is not coming to learn on the job. He possesses all the requisite experience to steer the ship of a multi- cultural,multi- ethnic state like Lagos.
An African proverb says that you use today’s atmosphere to gauge tomorrow’s weather. Under the Sanwo-Olu’s administration, Ndigbo in Lagos have been given more than a fair share of accommodation in terms of participation in the affairs of government through political appointments.
For example, there is a plethora of Igbo sons and daughters either as appointees of the Lagos state government or staff of the state’s civil service.
And so, what this signposts is that Ndigbo is an integral part of Lagos and I know that when re-elected, Governor Sanwo-Olu will further deepen the visibility and participation of our people in the affairs of his government.
It will therefore, be antithetical to the law of reciprocity and self preservation for the Igbo in Lagos to vote for a candidate in whose government they will be outsiders, a government they have no inclination of how it will be run.
From the foregoing, it is incumbent upon us to vote wisely this Saturday. And the only wise way to vote is to vote Governor Sanwo- Olu.
It will be foolhardy for Ndigbo to chase shadows and illusions in the guise of voting a party and candidate with a vague blueprint.
It is my considered opinion that Governor Sanwo-Olu is the proverbial bird at hand. Ndigbo will be making a life- changing political decision by holding tightly to the bird that is already in their kitty rather than chase the illusion in the bush.
Dear Ndigbo, on Saturday, March 19, 2023, there should be no sitting on the fence. There should be no playing of draught in the comfort of your homes or treating yourselves to exotic wines, well prepared ofe onugbo (bitterleaf soup) and pounded yam while an important political decision that can either positively or negatively impact on your businesses is being made.
We as Ndigbo in Lagos owe it a duty to ourselves to be part of the process to choose who rules the state for the next four years and the excellent choice before us is Governor Sanwo-Olu, a humble, fair-minded and accessible man, a man who is not magisterial, who has a sense of fairness and justice, one who will sufficiently serve and protect Igbo interest better if elected as governor.
Ndigbo’s vote for him is a vote for continued conducive business atmosphere in Lagos, continued participation in government, continued prosperity of our people and above all, continued consanguine relationship and friendship with our esteemed hosts.
For Ndigbo, Lagos has been a fertile ground for quantum accomplishments and success in various strata of human endeavour. Igbo businessmen here have also immeasurably contributed to the socio-economic growth of the state through investments in commerce, hospitality industry, real estate etc.
All the Igbo in Lagos need is a governor who will continue to guarantee and protect their interest as well as their investments.
There is no doubt that the economic well-being of Lagosians and all residents of the state, Ndigbo inclusive, as well as peaceful co-existence of all irrespective of tribe as currently obtained under Governor Sanwo-Olu will continue to prevail if elected.
Ndigbo, Saturday, March 19, 2023 is the date, APC is the party and His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the man.Let’s all march to our polling units that day to do the needful, bikonu, Umunnem!
Chidiebere Onyemaizu, a journalist and Media/ PR Consultant, lives in Lagos.
