Presidential power should shift to Southern Nigeria in 2023 – Gov Sanwo-Olu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday advocated that for fairness and equity, presidential power should return to the Southern part of the country in 2023.

Sanwo-Olu took this position when he spoke to journalists in Abuja after he submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Abuja, where he said

“I think we believe so and I think that is what is fair, that is what is just. But it is really about Nigeria. There are aspirations everywhere and there are so many qualified people, but for equity and fairness we have in our country, I think it is just morally fair that it goes to that part and South-West is top-notch in that. We believe that our positions from those meetings are still very valid and everybody must consider”, Sanwo-Olu told journalists.

He also expressed confidence in his capacity to win the election, saying “If Almighty God just spares our lives to that time that is the first thing. The second thing is now to ask ourselves what are the qualities of leadership that can compel you to what you are aspiring for.

“We have done almost three years in the office and it has been 3 years of monumental changes that we have in the State and by the way, we still have another year to complete that first four year tenure. So, our confidence is premised on the fact that we have received tremendous support from the citizens of Lagos and we have been opportuned to put in place a robust economic agenda that has propelled all of the various interventions we have in Lagos.

“In fact, if I start rolling them here, we will be here till tomorrow, but in all phases of life, we have touched our citizens; in transportation, in education, in health, in housing, in good governance, in provision of basic amenities, but more importantly, in security for our people.

“We have grown the city from what it used to be three to four years ago before we took over. Now, it receives the highest foreign direct investments because the environment is safe and secured. We have provided the platform for the organised private sector to thrive.”

He also denied that the South West APC Governors and leaders could not agree on consensus in their last meeting, saying, “You should have asked what was the objective? Did we achieve the objective of that meeting? The answer is yes. We needed to have ourselves in the room, lock up ourselves and have frank conversation, which was exactly what we did.

“Are we going to have further conversation with the leadership? Yes, I believe so. So, we are not fade up, we were sincere with ourselves and we hope that in future engagement, all the aspirations we have in our region will come to pass.”