Ahead of the April 11 governorship election in Lagos State, the Epe Council of Obas has unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Akinwunmi Ambode, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the state.
The endorsement came on March 1, during a meeting between Ambode and the Obas at the Palace of the Alara of Ilara, His Royal Majesty, Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya.
At the event, which had the full panoply of a royal endorsement, the Obas were joined by the political leaders in Epe to express joy and fulfillment at the candidature of the one they described as a worthy son who is set to take Epe and the entire state to a whole new level of excellent governance.
The people of Epe who were also at the palace, contributed to the success of the event by echoing their support using various songs of praise and commendation for the man they repeatedly hailed as the “incoming governor.”
Adesola Oguntade, an elder statesman, retired Supreme Court Judge, and a foremost leader in Epe, added more steam to the grand endorsement by stating that Ambode has long been singled out for excellence from the entire crop of Lagos State gubernatorial aspirants, largely because of his competent and benevolent antecedent, adding that he has rightfully earned the endorsement.
The visibly proud Oba Adesanya, led the other sixteen royal fathers to bestow blessings on the APC gubernatorial candidate. The prayer rites continued for almost an hour, and it depicted the depth of faith and confidence the Royal fathers have in Ambode’s leadership capabilities.
Ambode himself was profuse in his expression of appreciation for the overwhelming show of support from the Obas and political leaders all of who he described as “God-sent fathers”, adding that their support has been instrumental to his emergence as a favorite to serve the state in the next four years.
“I can say that I’ve been privileged to gather the needed experience to serve Epe and our state further, but I can’t do it alone. I thank you my Fathers so much for this overwhelming expression of support and prayers. I promise not to fail you, God helping me,” Ambode stated.
He further promised to continue and improve upon the development that the Epe division has experienced in the past 16 years, adding that the entire people of the division, especially the youths, will not be left out in the remarkable growth that Epe will experience in his administration when elected by their votes.
“It is time for Epe to experience the remarkable growth it has sought in the past 55 years, even as the whole of Lagos is gearing up for a next level. I assure you that the development that will besiege this division will benefit all of us. With your votes for the APC at at levels, I am sure that this growth will be monumental,” he said.
Ambode also took time to rally appreciation from the Epe people towards the former Governor of the state and APC National leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the recognition he has given to Epe and for his longstanding support for his candidacy, a move which he described as insightful and which he said has further brought Epe to the fore.
The Royal fathers who took turns to bless Ambode were the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun; the Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; the Omola of Odomola, Oba Sikiru Taiwo Odukoya; the Aladegunshenbi of Odoragunshin, Oba Olawale Ogunsanya; the Orijeru of Igboye, Oba Gbadebo Onakoya; and the Alade-Uraka of Poka, Oba Aileru Kolawole.
The other Royal Majesties include the Olu-Epe of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale; the Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora; the Olofin Ajaiye of Odo-Orugbo, Oba Adekoya Odusanya; the Onibeju of Ibeju Land, Oba Rafiu Olusegun Salami; the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba Kazeem Olumuyiwa Ogunbekin; the Onimedu of Orimedu, Oba Hamza Atiku; the Elejinrin of Ejinrin, Oba Ishola Babatunde Balogun; the Onitedo of Itedo, Oba Tajudeen Elemoro; the Onise of Ise, Oba Ganiu Adegbesan; and the Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu, Oba Ganiyu Asunmo.
Also present to receive the royal backing in solidarity with Ambode were the APC candidates representing Epe in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade and Abiodun Tobun; as well as Wale Raji for the Epe Federal constituency.
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