By Habibat Aliu
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared his support for the giant strides in project delivery of the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike was, however, silent on the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly called ‘Janitor’.
Wike expressed his support for his Lagos State counterpart while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2022 Annual Conference of Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), with the theme; “Spring Forth, Stand Out,’ held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos Island.
The Rivers State Governor also announced the donation of N300 million to COWLSO as support.
According to him, Sanwo-Olu’s performance in office has earned him a second term.
He commended Sanwo-Olu for giving women the opportunity to serve in various capacities in the state, especially the judiciary.
Wike told Sanwo-Olu, “By the grace of God, you will be a 2nd term governor. Lagos State is doing better than other states in this country because Lagos has allowed women to participate in governance in various capacities. I am very happy to participate in this conference.
“I don’t play politics of ethnicity. Even if Sanwo-Olu is in my party but is not doing well, I wouldn’t have come. I do not regret saying I am in support of you”.
The Rivers State governor further said his administration has emulated Lagos State by ensuring a woman became a deputy governor in 2015 for the first time, adding that no woman has ever served in that capacity since the state was created in the 60s.
He also said that he made sure that all the 23 local governments in Rivers State have women as vice chairmen.
Wike also commended the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu for several projects COWLSO had executed and still implementing under her chairmanship in the last three years.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also commended the organisers of the conference for their positive contribution to the state.
According to him, “I must express how much I am proud of the achievements of COWLSO, especially in the way they have stood by us and contributed to promoting the ideas and objectives of our administration.
“The various philanthropic and humanitarian activities of COWLSO in addition to their intervention in critical sectors such as health, education, environment, and youth development have continued to impact positively on the lives of Lagosians”, Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor, who had earlier announced Wike as “Mr Infrastructure”, thanked the Rivers State governor for being part of the event.
He appealed to the Lagos electorate on the need to re-elect him for second term in office for more delivery of dividends of democracy.
Earlier, wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs BabajideSanwo-Olu, had described the year 2022 theme as apt, saying the world is in need of solutions.
“As women, we owe it to ourselves to emerge into better versions of ourselves as we spring forth and keep pushing forward to make a positive difference”, she said.
