By: Okunade Adekunle
Hon. Jude Idimogu, the only Igbo lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, and who represents Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2, has eulogised Igbo extraction in Lagos State for voting All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidates in Saturday council polls.
Idimogu while addressing newsmen today at the Assembly Complex, commended residents of Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs, especially from Igbo extraction, for voting candidates of APC in the two councils.
“It was a big tough. A typical Igbo man is difficult to convince when it concerns politics, so we had to go extra mile to ensure that they believe in us in APC and vote for the party.For the past few days, it has been difficult going to Igbos, as majority group in this constituency, to vote APC. Most of them are self- made to be entice with anything.Except they actually believe in your course, they won’t come out and support you. It took effort to turn the table,” said Idimogu.
He added, “But glory to God at the end of this local government elections in the two council here in my constituency, it was victory for the APC. I am very grateful for the support from the Igbos to APC candidates in Ejigbo and Isolo Local Council Development Areas. It was a knee one.”
Idimogu, who complained of low turnout of voters during the polls, implored residents to always show interest in grassroots politics as the closest to them.
“The beginning of every governance starts from the grassroots, it is duty of the people to exercise their civil responsibility in choosing those they believe will represent them well.”
On his defection to APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since Feb. 16, the lawmaker said that he had not regretted such decision, stressing that he has been talking with Igbos to see reasons for supporting APC in the state.
On whether he was contemplating of returning to PDP since the crisis was over, the lawmaker said such step would not happen.
Idimogu, who noted that the structure of APC would be difficult to defeat by any party in the state, called on Igbos to support APC’s government.
“Igbos need to support APC in Lagos so that when we call the government, it can also answer us. The way forward is to embrace APC in Lagos State. I still have a lot of work to do to meet with Igbos to believe in APC because some of them still vote for the party because I am there,” Idimogu stressed.
Meanwhile, Hon. Shamsondeen Olaleye of APC, the Chairman-elect in Isolo LCDA, had said that his victory reflected the believe of the people in him.
Olaleye, who commended the electoral body for ensuring a credible, fair and free election, praised the electorate for coming out to vote despite the unfriendly weather.
“The voting process is the best. The electorate were not stressed as accreditation and voting held simultaneously,” said Olaleye.
The second-term chairman-elect said that he had drawn up a developmental template to put in motion for the development of the area-widows, youths, aged and others.
