By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo
Party faithful of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on Friday went into frenzy at the party Secretariat in Acme, Ikeja as Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State picked the gubernatorial form to contest for his second term bid in 2011 election under the platform of ACN in the state.

Fashola picked the form at about 12 noon at the ACN Secretariat which was agog as many of the party loyalists declared their intention to work for the incumbent governor to ensure that he returns to the seat of power in the state.

This comes just two days after the party and the former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu publicly endorsed the candidacy of Fashola for the re-election after long months of silence.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the party, Chief Henry Ajomale said that the selling of the form to Fashola was one of the democratic procedures to elect people to various offices, including that of the governorship.

“After a hectic meeting, it gladdens our hearts that the leadership of the party has bestowed this honour on Fashola. It is an historical occasion where the governor has come to pick a form to run for the second term”, Ajomale said.

Ajomale said that the sales of the form had shown that ACN was a party that followed democratic process to the letter, adding that the exercise would enable credible primaries to take place within the party.

According to him, “Fashola’s endorsement is a welcome development as revealed by the jubilation of Lagos residents and party members.

“The roof nearly caved in on Wednesday when the party executive announced the endorsement of Fashola. It shows that our governor is popular. It shows that he has done well in the last four years and deserves another turn of four years,” he recalled.

However, Ajomale, called on the governor not to rest on his oars, stating that there is still a lot to be done to ensure that the party wins the 2011 election in the state.

“That is why we are now selling to him the only available form for the position of governor in Lagos state,” Ajomale said.

Responding, Fashola said that he could not retire from the race because it was a noble service to build a better society for Lagos residents and of course Nigerians.

He said, “Bit by bit, day by day, hour by hour, what we started as a small flame has lit across Nigeria. We are now the party to beat. One by one and by God, our rank has swelled with men and women of integrity, men with purpose of democracy, not for self, but for the purpose of upliftment of community states and nation, and a desire of service and not as a platform for service. In our party, when we make commitment, we give only one thing; performance”.

“That is why you would see, that all the other political parties are already started fighting themselves, killing themselves because they want to serve. That is not our way. We will lead from the front and show that service is not a do-or-die affair. It is a matter of honour and it is a noble calling. It is in that context that I am proud to come here today to formally collect obtains the nomination to signify my intention to serve Lagos state for another four years”.

Fashola, therefore urged well meaning Lagosians to go out en-masse and register during the voter registration exercise in other to exercise their franchise and choose credible candidates into public offices which ACN can boats of.