Lagos East Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw from Race, Endorse Abiru
All aspirants seeking senatorial nomination in Lagos East on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the race to back the former Group Managing Director, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru.
The aspirants that withdrew from the senatorial contest included the Vice Chairman,
Lagos APC, Chief Kaoli Olusanya; a former Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Segun Ogunlewe; a former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye; a former General Manager/Permanent Secretary, Lagos Television, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo; a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olanrewaju Odesanya; and the Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga
Development Association, Chief Olusegun Abiru.
The aspirants withdrew from their aspirations ahead of the direct primary election scheduled to hold today (Thursday) across Lagos East in compliance with the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In their separate accounts yesterday, the aspirants agreed to support Abiru’s senatorial aspiration due to what they ascribed to the need for the APC to conduct a direct primary election free of acrimony and ensure harmony among all that aspirants that indicated interest in the senatorial seat.
Olusanya explained his decision to withdraw his senatorial aspiration was in the overall interest of Lagos APC and to allow a candidate emerge from the primary election without internal conflict, which he said, could polarise Lagos APC.
He said: ”I have to step back and allow someone else to take on the task of representing our senatorial district at this time, for some reasons that seriously have to do with the larger interest of our dear state and our great party.”With their decision to withdraw from the race, Abiru, who formally retired from Polaris Bank on August 31, will emerge the party’s consensus candidate after all registered party members in Lagos East ratify his candidature through the direct primary election.