Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu rose to the occasion on Wednesday to condemn in strong terms the ethnic bigotry that was consuming local politics in the state.
Sanwo-Olu who spoke on Morning Show on Arise News said the issues should not be played up at all by any political leader worth its salt. He fielded questions from Dr. Reuben Abati, Ayo and Rufai Oseni, who the governor jocularly called “the Almighty Rufai.”
According to him, in as much as an expectant mother would not be much concerned about the tribe of the doctor who is going to ensure her safe delivery or a hungry man is not bothered who baked the bread he just bought, or a trader will not bother about the tribe of the man selling her condiments, Lagosians ought not to be dragged down by bigotry and tribal sentiments or push the narrative of who is a Lagosians and who is not further than necessary.
He said though there is room for some people to feel concerned and really felt concerned, but those should rather be just a dot in the space and ought not to be magnified beyond necessity.
He said the prosperity of Lagos is the diversity of her people and being a former capital of the country and the nation’s economic nerve centre, it must continue to receive visitors whose presence in the state is helping to grow it’s economic fortune and prosperity.
Sanwo-Olu also had warm words for women, and sends his shout outs to them on the celebration of the International women’s Day.
He said his government will continue to implement all affirmative action a regarding women’s participation in politics and deepening their engagement in the political space.
Sanwo-Olu admitted that the last general elections had changed the paradigm of politics in more fundamental ways adding that it is the reasons why he is engaging more with Lagosians to come out and participate in the process by coming out enmass in the next governorship and House of Assembly elections.
He described as worrisome the situation where about 1.5 million people came out to vote in a state that has over five million people who collected their PVC.
“Thst is why I’ve been going out to ensure that I am able to instill the confidence in the people to come out and vote. If we had about 2.5 million to three million voters that is relatively justifiable and can at least reflect the reality of the strength of the state as one with the highest voters cards in the country.