PDP Government In Lagos State Will Protect Interest of South Easterners-Jandor

The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), has assured Ndigbos in the state of his resolve to form an all-inclusive government with them and stop all harassment against them in markets.

Adediran said this at an interactive meeting with Ndigbo leaders at the palace of Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja Local Government on Monday, adding that the prosperity of the state could be linked to the investment of Ndigbo in Lagos State.

"My coming here is to assure you that this time around, the party that you love will jointly form the government of Lagos State with you in 2023.

"I want to appeal to you, we know it is difficult for one to have been working all over the years with no results, this is not the time to give up. 

"This is a different time and by God's grace, we are going to have a different result which will be positive," he said.

Adediran said his administration would eliminate everything that had been putting Ndigbo as outcast in the state

"When we come on, everybody will clap for us and say Lagos is a very rich state. We cannot be a rich state without Ndigbo's contributions in Ladipo and Alaba International Markets

"So if we are rich today, it is because of huge investment and contributions of  Igbo community in our state. For us, we recognise and appreciate that.

"It is because if this that as governor, I will eliminate every form of  harassment in your markets. I will make sure nobody, in whatever name, under my government, will close down your markets. 

"I will make sure I send anyone who does so to prison. It doesn't make economic sense to shut down you market. 

"There will not be any discrimination whatsoever in giving you what is due to you as one of us.I am going to stop all extortions and harassments as Governor. 

"We are going to run a government that will not consider you as second class citizens in Lagos State. This is your home and I am going to treat you as our own. 

"I am here to assure you that though you have been supporting the PDP over years without anything, I am telling you that we are going to win," he said.

Adediran assured Ndigbo that his administration would provide Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for every legally purchasye landed property by Ndigbos in Lagos State.

He said that for him to win the election and become governor, NdIgbos must vote for the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

According to him, every vote for Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party will make the ruling party to continue to rule.

"Any vote you give to Mr Peter Obi, my own brother, who brought me to the PDP, is a vote for the APC. We love him (Obi), but the spread to give him the president is not there. If we vote for Obi, you want APC to win again," he said.

Responding, Eze Agbawodikeozu Nwalozie, the Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja LGA and Chairman, Council of Eze Ndigbo in Lagos State, who prayed to God to bring luck and favour to Adeniran on his aspirations, said that the he had already identified with Ndigbos, hence his conferment of a chieftaincy title on him.

"Please, when you get into office in 2023, do not forget Ndigbos. We need a change in the  governance of Lagos State. We need a government that will affect the lives of Ndigbos positively in Lagos State. 

"We need an all embracing leadership. This is our aspirations and we pray that God Almighty will make it come through in 2023," Nwalozie said.

Counselling Adeniran, the Eze said: "A good leader is someone who knows the way, shows the way and lives that way. 

"A good leader must establish principles concerning the way people should be treated and the way goals must be pursued.

"A good leader listens to advice, follow due process and put the people first. A good leader is selfless, leads by example and shows respect and care for those he is leading," he said.

The meeting had in attendance zonal heads of Ndigbos, representatives of computer village and various sections of market men and women and other Igbo leaders.

Also at the meeting was the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State, Chief Jonathan Nnaji and other title holders.

Earlier in the day, Adediran's campaign train met with stakeholders at the Onilekere Furniture Village and Onigbongbo Community Social Club among others.