Razaq Bamidele
A twin campaign groups, National Independent Campaign Organisation for Tinunu (NICOT) and Sanwo-Olu for Governor Again (SAFOGA), had concluded arrangements to officially flag-off massive mobilization electioneering for their principals in Lagos before the end of January.
Recall former Governor of Lagos State (1999-2003), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is vying for the presidency on February 25 on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while the incumbent Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is also seeking a second term tenure in office from March 11, this year.
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Our correspondent who reported mid last year that the twin organizations had slated their official flag-off date for first quarter of 2023 contacted the Chief Campaigner of the groups, Comrade Razaq Olokoba at the weekend and got the confirmation that the flag-off would take place any time from now.
When pressed further for details, the renown pro-democracy and human rights activist said wider consultations are on amongst all the member groups that formed the coalition with a view to synergizing and arriving at a workable strategy for a successful outing, stating that, the expected outcome of their effort is to achieve a Tinubu presidency and Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Olokoba, who is also the Convener and National president of the Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), explained that, “our own effort in the process is to complement the existing structure across the country with a view to achieving a common goal that would be beneficial to the generality of the good people of Nigeria.”
The Ilorin, Kwaara State born, who though agreed that, right groups are supposed to be apolitical, he however explained that, “at the same time we are pro-democracy activists,” adding, “I am by the grace of God the Convener and National President of a pro-democracy group, Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), an organization that monitors performances of political office holders to ensure they are doing the right things for the people.”
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According to him, if politics and democracy is about the welfare of the citizenry, and someone is doing that satisfactorily, why shouldn’t we support and encourage him to go ahead and do more for the people? he then asked rhetorically, “Or don’t you consider our stand on that as fighting for the right of the citizenry to good governance?”
On why support for Sanwo-Olu’s second term, the Chief Campaigner said, “Having passed our integrity performance test severally, and going by the people’s love for what he is doing, we feel it is better to allow him complete some of the assignments he started since the constitution allows two terms of four years apiece for him,” concluding that, “We feel it is better that way than changing a winning team in the middle of the game.”