…Recounts contributions to APC’s electoral victories in Lagos
…Wants concerns addressed before LG, 2027 elections
Members of the Arewa Community Forum in the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos State has accused the elected members of the Party at different levels in the state of relegating, downgrading and excluding their members who worked hard during the last elections to ensure victories for all of them at the polls, in the scheme of things.
The group, in a statement signed by the apex leader of Arewa APC, Lagos West II, Hon. (Dr.) Ibrahim Tanko in Lagos on Friday, disclosed that members of the Arewa Community were deeply dissatisfied with the treatment meted to them by the elected members of the party in the state, despite their numerous sacrifice to elevate the status of the party in the state and the nation at large.
According to Tanko, members of the Arewa Community worked tirelessly and relentlessly during the past general elections, particularly the 2023 general elections, leading the dedicated loyal members of the community in Lagos State to achieve a significant victory for nearly all elective offices, both at the state and national levels on the platform of the APC.
“In previous elections, the Arewa ethnic group, along with along with myself as the apex leader of the Arewa APC Lagos West II, fought passionately and risked our lives to actively participate in the general elections. However, we now feel overlooked, forgotten and abandoned in the aftermath of those efforts.
“The Arewa Community in Lagos State feels deeply disheartened and overlooked as we did not receive even a simple thank you visit from some of our elected representatives in the APC. It is painful for us to expend so much energy and effort to secure a resounding victory for our great party only to feel forgotten, abandoned and marginalized.
“To our surprise, the current situation in Lagos State has drastically changed since President Tinubu took office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. During the previous tenure, we had ten Councillors and Supervisory Councillors representing us in Lagos State. However, now we have only one Arewa Councillorship aspirant who successfully advanced through the recent local government primaries”, Tanko said.
He accused some of the National Assembly members elected on the platform of the APC in the State of neglecting his members noting that they have not done anything to support the Arewa Community in terms of demonstrating true democracy.
“This include Senator Dr. Idiot Oluranti Adebule of Lagos West Senatorial District, and Hon. Kalejaye Adeboye who represents Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA in the House of Representatives. The Arewa Community worked tirelessly to secure their victories, yet we were abandoned in return”, he lamented.
“In the hindsight, we can still recall only a few of our sacrifices and efforts made before and during the last general elections in 2023. We actively solicited for votes in favor of the APC and our Arewa Community voted overwhelmingly for the party. We contributed significantly to the campaigns by donating over three hundred buses to the APC in the South West. As the Arewa APC leader Lagos West II, I was tasked with ensuring the success of all local government and LCDAs in Lagos West (a total of 10), which we successfully achieved.
“At my personal expense, I erected numerous billboards and distributed thousands of campaign posters, T-shirt, face caps, handbills and various other campaign materials. It is important to note that many of our elected officials including senators, members of the House of Representatives and other elected representatives are currently occupying their offices and chambers, thanks to our collective efforts, hard work and financial contributions, yet, they seem to have forgotten our sacrifices.
In the light of this and other related issues that we cannot fully address here, it is evident that we lack the ability to effectively solicit votes from our community in the upcoming local government elections and the subsequent general elections in 2027. This press release aims to raise public awareness and urge the APC leadership to listen to our concerns and address this situation for the benefit of our party and the nation as a whole “, he added.
Tanko, however, extended the appreciation of the forum to Distinguished Senator Tokunbo Abiru of the Lagos East Senatorial District insisting that he was the only senator actively supporting the Arewa Community in his district, providing significant assistance in fares for this year’s Hajj.
“Additionally, we recognize Hon. Sabur Akanbi Oluwa, the Honourable Members representing the Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly. he has shown his commitment to the Arewa Community by including them in nearly all of his constituency programme and by providing them with Hajj slot last year 2024.
“We also acknowledge the efforts of Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, the Executive Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area in Lagos State for his substantial support for the Arewa Community in his LGA”, he stated.
While thanking the Almighty Allah for sparing their lives to witness the 2025 Eid-El-Kabir festivities, he, however, felicitated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria saying, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, two years into his term, has undertaken numerous infrastructural projects across all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“He is making significant efforts to restructure the country, leveraging his administrative experience and ensuring that all ethnic groups are represented in his administration. This commitment is evident from his tenure as Governor of Lagos State where he established a high standard of governance that has continued to influence his presidency.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an exemplary democratic leader with a clear vision and mission. His vibrant economic policies and focus on infrastructural development are essential for the country’s sustainable growth and development and these contributions deserve appreciation.”
Photo: Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, Arewa APC apex leader, Lagos West II, Lagos State.
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