By Esther Onyegbula

Residents and stakeholders of Eti-Osa Constituency I on Friday declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and endorsed candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2027 general elections, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

The solidarity rally, which attracted party leaders, grassroots mobilisers, community stakeholders and supporters, was used to reaffirm confidence in the President’s administration and the APC’s leadership in Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, former Vice Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, LCDA, former Council Leader and former Chief of Staff of Eti-Osa East LCDA, Hon. Taiwo Afini, praised President Tinubu and other pro-democracy advocates for their contributions to the sustenance of democratic governance in Nigeria.

Afini said the President’s leadership and commitment to democratic ideals had continued to inspire confidence among party members and residents of the constituency.
He expressed confidence in the APC candidates emerging from Lagos State, describing them as capable leaders who possess the experience and competence required to advance the developmental strides of the current administration.

According to him, House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Fuad Atanda Lawal, and Lagos State House of Assembly candidate for Eti-Osa Constituency I, Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole, have demonstrated leadership capacity through their previous public service records.

Afini noted that Lawal’s performance as former Executive Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA and Bankole’s achievements as former Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, including the construction of the local government secretariat and other infrastructure projects, distinguished them as credible candidates.

He said: “The achievements of Hon. Fuad Atanda Lawal as former Executive Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA and the developmental projects executed by Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole during his tenure as Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government are clear evidence of their capacity to deliver effective representation and quality leadership.”

The former council official further assured President Tinubu of the readiness of APC supporters in Eti-Osa to mobilise massively for the party in future elections.

“We will continue to support the President and work tirelessly to ensure victory for all APC candidates in 2027,” he stated.

Also speaking, a grassroots mobiliser and APC chieftain, Comrade Abiodun Maiyegun, said the rally was organised to appreciate President Tinubu for what he described as people-oriented policies and his commitment to democratic processes within the party.

Maiyegun commended the conduct of the recent APC primaries in Lagos State, saying the exercise reflected the wishes of party members at the grassroots level.

According to him, the transparent conduct of the primaries strengthened confidence among members and reinforced internal democracy within the party.

“The successful conduct of the APC primaries in Lagos State reflected the will of the people at the grassroots. Party members are satisfied with the emergence of candidates produced through a democratic process,” he said.

He described Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole as a tested and credible leader whose previous accomplishments in office had earned him widespread acceptance among constituents.

Maiyegun also praised Hon. Fuad Atanda Lawal for his performance as a former council chairman, expressing optimism that he would provide quality representation for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency if elected.

The APC stalwart urged residents of Eti-Osa and Lagos State to support all APC candidates in forthcoming elections, stressing the need to consolidate what he described as the gains of the Tinubu administration.

At the end of the rally, constituents issued a communiqué reaffirming their loyalty to President Tinubu and endorsing the continuity of his administration beyond 2027.

The communiqué also declared support for Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, Hon. Fuad Atanda Lawal, Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole and Hon. Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu as APC candidates.

According to the communiqué, President Tinubu’s achievements, commitment to national development and dedication to good governance had continued to inspire confidence among party faithful and residents of the constituency.

The group pledged to work collectively towards building a stronger, more prosperous and united Nigeria while encouraging citizens to continue supporting democratic governance.

“Together, we remain committed to building a stronger, more prosperous and united Nigeria,” the communiqué stated.

The rally ended with participants singing solidarity songs in support of President Tinubu and APC candidates while celebrating Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

The event formed part of Democracy Day activities held across Lagos State to commemorate the nation’s democratic progress and promote greater citizen participation in governance.