The All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has said there are no plans to demolish Ladipo Spare Parts Market in the Mushin area; if the party wins in the March 2 governorship poll.
Hamzat, a former commissioner of Works and Infrastructure in the state, said this at a town hall meeting organised by the Ndi-Igbo in APC Lagos state.
The meeting was to interact with the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, his running mate.
He said their government, if elected, would improve on the market rather than demolish it.
Earlier, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who visited the market on January 23, had alleged that the APC led-administration would shut the market.
Hamzat countered him. He said: “Our government has no plans of demolishing the Ladipo spare parts matket. That market has been existing even before I was born.
”We will run a government that would be inclusive, where everybody, irrespective of tribe, ethnity, religion and background will participate.
“As long as you live in Lagos, you are a ‘Lagosian’. The Igbos have been very supportive, we have been working together as a state and they deserve adequate recognition.
”I’m appealing that you vote massively for the APC; it is a party that will guarantee the future of our children.
“Let’s make sure Lagos continues to progress so that we can continue to do our businesses in peace, ” he said.
Hamzat said with the huge projects and infrastructure development delivered by the APC government in the last three years in the South East, he is sure that Igbo would support and vote for the party.
”I was a special adviser to Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, and I can boldly say that we have delivered many projects in the South East, ” he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, Chairman APC Lagos, urged Ndi-Igbos to go get their PVCs and ensure victory for APC in the coming elections.
”APC in Lagos has been tested and trusted, as we have been delivering on our promises in the last 20years.
”I also want to advise that given the large number of registered political parties, the thumb printing space on the ballots paper will be tiny.
“I, however, advise that you use your index finger to fit the space,” Balogun said.
In his address, Mr Joe Igbokwe, apex leader, Ndi-Igbo in APC, Lagos, said that Ndi-Igbo had been investing and contributing to the development of the state.
Igbokwe said that Ndi-Igbo did not have a quarter of the investments they had in Lagos in the eastern states put together.
According to him, the Igbos in Lagos have to build and protect the state by supporting and voting massively for Sanwo-Olu of APC.
He urged Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat to ensure their administration gave the Ndi-Igbo due recognition in their policies and programmes as co-partners in progress.
Igbokwe also urged the people from the South East to vote for APC in the coming elections to secure Igbo presidency in 2023.
”Let our leaders see our massive votes and we will begin to negotiate Igbo presidency in 2023, ” he said.