Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a lover of Igbos, says auto spare parts traders in Lagos, endorsing his reelection bid in the March 11 gubernatorial poll.

The traders from the South-East extraction stated this at a forum they organised under the aegis of the Auto Spare Parts And Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) in Trade Fair Complex, Ojo.

ASPAMDA president Ngozi Emechebe described Mr Sanwo-Olu as “a true friend of Igbo,” noting that the Lagos governor had never been hostile to non-Yoruba residents living in the state.

Mr Emechebe mentioned that the forum was initiated as a reassurance of support of the Ndigbo community to the governor’s reelection, saying the traders would work for Mr Sanwo-Olu’s electoral victory in their respective polling stations.

“Sanwo-Olu is a good man and has demonstrated that he is a lover of Igbo. We have resolved to support the governor for second term because of his performance and his economic policies that have supported our businesses,” Mr Emechebe explained. “Through this forum, we are assuring the governor that we shall sing the song of victory together with him.” 

On Tuesday, Mr Sanwo-Olu embarked on a campaign tour of major markets populated by Igbos ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election, following the open endorsement for his reelection by the Ndigbo community in the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu met an amalgamation of Igbo traders across 58 major markets in Lagos. Under the aegis of the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association, the traders unanimously backed the governor’s reelection.

The Lagos governor allayed the fears of the Igbo traders.

“I am here on a solidarity visit and to thank you for your public endorsement of my humble self, which I believe will be reflected at the polls on Saturday with the highest number of votes cast from members of your community,” said Mr Sanwo-Olu. “You are not giving us your support for anything. You believe we deserve this encouragement because my team and I have worked tirelessly to improve your well-being.”

He assured the Igbo traders of his government’s commitment to their prosperity, adding that the approval recently received by the state for the development of Badagry Seaport was to facilitate economic development and boost logistics, especially in the movement of goods.

“We will continue to work with your leadership to enhance cooperation and identify areas we can improve on to foster peace and stability. We will not be hostile to any community of non-indigenes,” the governor added, stressing that “as long as you conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner, your safety and security will remain our priority.”

(NAN)