The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode has received the royal blessings from the Epe Council of Obas who endorsed his candidacy.
The endorsement came during a meeting of Ambode with the obas at the palace of the Alara of Ilara, Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya.
The people of Epe, who were also at the palace, contributed to the success of the event by echoing their support, using various songs of praise and commendation for the man they repeatedly hailed as the “incoming governor”. In his own words, an elder statesman, retired Supreme Court Judge and a foremost leader in Epe, Justice Adesola Oguntade, said Ambode has long been singled out for excellence from the entire crop of Lagos State gubernatorial aspirants.
Oguntade said this largely because of his competent and benevolent antecedent, adding that he has rightfully earned the endorsement. The visibly proud Oba Adesanya led the other 16 royal fathers to bestow blessings on the APC gubernatorial candidate. The prayers rites continued for almost an hour and it depicted the depth of faith and confidence the royal fathers have in Ambode’s leadership capabilities.
Ambode described the obas as “God-sent fathers”. He added that their support has been instrumental to his emergence as a favourite to serve the state in the next four years.
“I can say that I’ve been privileged to gather the needed experience to serve Epe and our state further, but I can’t do it alone. I thank you my fathers so much for this overwhelming expression of support and prayers. I promise not to fail you, God helping me,” Ambode stated. He further promised to continue and improve upon the development that the Epe Division has experienced in the past 16 years, adding that the entire people of the division, especially the youths, will not be left out in the remarkable growth that Epe will experience in his administration when elected by their votes.
He said: “It is time for Epe to experience the remarkable growth it has sought in the past 55 years, even as the whole of Lagos is gearing up for a next level. I assure you that the development that will besieged this division will benefit all of us. With your votes for the APC at at levels, I am sure that this growth will be monumental.” Ambode also took time to rally appreciation from the Epe people towards the former Governor of the state and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the recognition he has given to Epe and for his longstanding support for his candidacy, a move which he described as insightful and has further brought Epe to the fore.
The Royal fathers who took turns to bless Ambode were the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun; the Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; the Omola of Odomola, Oba Sikiru Taiwo Odukoya; the Aladegunshenbi of Odoragunshin, Oba Olawale Ogunsanya; the Orijeru of Igboye, Oba Gbadebo Onakoya; and the Alade-Uraka of Poka, Oba Aileru Kolawole. The other Royal Majesties included the Olu-Epe of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale; the Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora; the Olofin Ajaiye of Odo-Orugbo, Oba Adekoya Odusanya; the Onibeju of Ibeju Land, Oba Rafiu Olusegun Salami; the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba Kazeem Olumuyiwa Ogunbekin; the Onimedu of Orimedu, Oba Hamza Atiku; the Elejinrin of Ejinrin, Oba Ishola Babatunde Balogun; the Onitedo of Itedo, Oba Tajudeen Elemoro; the Onise of Ise, Oba Ganiu Adegbesan; and the Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu, Oba Ganiyu Asunmo. Alhaji Seriki Bamu and Chief Lanre Razaq led all other notable Epe political leaders to the event. Also present to receive the royal backing in solidarity with Ambode included the APC candidates representing Epe in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade and Honourable Abiodun Tobun; and Hon. Wale Raji for the Epe Federal Constituency.
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