By Lanre Olaleye
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola(aka Yayi) has formally declared his interest to run for the Lagos West Senatorial seat of the upper legislative chamber for the second term.
The senator who won the Senate seat in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially declared his intention during an interactive session held at his senatorial office along Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja on Monday 16th July 2018 with social media editors selected from across Lagos West senatorial district of Lagos State. He said the zeal to serve his constituents better is motivating him to seek for a second term ticket on the bill of the APC.
Yayi who was humorous as ever said he would be using his second term in office to correct some errors made in his first term. He also seized the occasion to respond to allegations in some certain quarters that he abandoned his constituents to vie for Ogun State governorship seat. “Yes, there was an ambition to become the governor of Ogun State,” he begins.
“The seat of a governor cannot be compared with that of a senator even if for the pleasure of riding in a long convoy. When the governor gets to a place, he instantly arrest attention.
“But beyond the privileges and the paraphernalia of the office of the governor, my ambition is deeply rooted in my desire to serve humanity at a higher level. The zeal and passion to make Ogun better was the major motivation. With my experience in finance and economic matters, I have the template to lift the state IGR from its present N7billion to N20billion monthly and therefore bring meaningful infrastructural development to the state,” he said.
The ambition however, was aborted which prompted the need for him to seek a second term ticket in Lagos West. He added, “I abandoned my quest to run for Ogun State governorship not because I was afraid of losing but because I made a great sacrifice by heeding to the advice of party leaders and the need to keep the unity of the party intact.
“Infact, if I had decided to go the whole hog, probably that would have been on the platform of another party and that would not augur well for a progressive politician like me. Its not about me alone but also about keeping the supremacy of the party at all times, I am still young and have more years ahead to pursue that ambition at the right time.”
Continuing, the quesetential senator added, “The Ogun State governorship contest can be likened to the lions’ world where everybody is trying to protect his territory. Hence, for the past few months, I have been consulting with party leaders and elders at all levels. I did not formally declare my intention to run for Ogun State governorship, what I have done for the past few months was to test the waters and the response I was getting was tremendous. But the need to keep the unity of the party intact matter most here. ”
On the allegation that he abandoned his Lagos West constituents, the former House of Reps member stated unequivocally that he never did. “I have never abandoned or betrayed the people of Lagos West. I got to the Senate basically on their trust and I have kept faith with that trust. I have initiated bills and motions that would keep the interest of Lagos West on the floor of the Senate. I am one of the vibrant and vociferous voice in the Senate.
“I have kept faith with my empowerment programmes that have changed the lives of some members of our constituents. The first one for this year was held in January and plans are almost concluded to hold the second one between August and September this year.
“I have never failed in the discharge of my role and duties as a Senator of Lagos West. I have not been docile in the Senate and if given the opportunity of a second term, I would do more. ”
Yayi concludes.
