Senate 2019: Osinowo wants Ashafa's seat

The member representing Kosofe Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sikiru Adebayo Osinowo, aka Pepper, has formally joined the race for the senatorial ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East senatorial district thereby signifying his intention to replace Senator Bareehu Ashafa come 2019.

He declared his interest in the race during a well-attended ceremony at the CMD Event Centre, Shangisha, Lagos State.

Media Consultant, Lisa Olu Akerele, (left), Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Mr.  Mudasiru Obasa, Chairman, Lagos House of Assembly Land Committee , Mr. Bayo  Osinowo with Prince Albert Adelowo Adedeji during a visit to the Speaker after Osinowo declared his interest in the race for the Lagos East Senatorial District, yesterday.

The event had nearly all notable political leaders in the district, all the members of the House of Representatives in Lagos East District, all local government and local council development area chairmen and their deputies in the district and most traditional stakeholders in the district in attendance.

Also, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly were part of the adoption of Osinowo by party faithful as the preferred candidate for APC in Lagos East Senatorial district.

“Permit me to say it with every sense of humility that with my sixteen years in the Lagos State House of Assembly, I have acquired enough legislative experience to propel me for greater achievement in the Red Chamber (Senate). I have also been actively involved in the political activities of Lagos East Senatorial District for over two decades, and I know where the shoe pinches,” Osinowo said.

Speaking on the declaration, the deputy chairman of APC in the state, Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya, said all APC chieftains in the race must see themselves as ambassadors of the party while seeking the ticket of the ruling party. He begged them all to work with party leaders to ensure a successful conduct of the primaries.

“We want to appeal to all aspirants to eschew bitterness during and after the primary so that we will all support whoever emerges as a winner. We should go to the poll proper as one united family and win the 2019 elections for our party, not only in Lagos, but throughout the country,” Kaoli assured.

The council of traditional rulers in the district, as well as several other organisations and groups were unequivocal in the support for Pepper as the candidate of the party in Lagos East. The traditional rulers said based on Osinowo’s antecedents, they have no doubt that he is fit for the important job ahead.

Former commissioner in the state and a leader in the district, Dr. Tola Kasali, confirmed that the APC will conduct a primary election that will be very transparent and fair to all. “Our party believes in democratic norms. We don’t have any preferred candidate every aspirant will be treated equally,” Kasali assured.