By Uche Amunike
The gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olajide Adediran Jandor, has announced his choice for running mate for the general election in 2023 as Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa.
The nominees list numbered five names: Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Adenike Shobanjo, Rasheed Teslim-Balogun, Kolawole Vaughan and Funke Akindele. However, Adediran picked Funke as his running mate and officially unveiled her, Tuesday.
According to media reports, some reasons were cited for being majorly responsible for the choice of Funke being chosen for the exalted position. First, She hails from Ikorodu and Lagos East Senatorial District, which is exactly where the incumbent Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat hails from. She is also from the royal family in the town.
The unveiling took place at Ikorodu, at the residence of late Mrs Adenrele Ogunsanya who is the Apex leader of Lagos4Lagos Movement.
In the meantime, just as the Head, Media and Communications, Jandor ’23 Campaign Organization, Gbenga Ogunleye confirmed in his official statement, that apart from unveiling Funke Akindele on the said day, the RESCUE Lagos Agenda will also be be unveiled. The duo revealed their Agenda.
The unveiling of both Akindele and the party’s RESCUE Lagos Agenda was like a carnival that fielded both the party’s candidates, leaders and members in attendance at the venue.
In her speech, Akindele stated that her decision to join Olajide Adediran Jandor as running mate was a huge sacrifice. She explained that she abandoned her passion in acting and a career of 14 years in other to submit herself to bring positive change to Lagos residents. She expressed her joy in being trusted with the ticket.
Her words: ‘Jandor have sacrificed a lot talking about young people passionately for over seven years to plan this project, abandoning his business to make a change in the state.’
‘So, I am going to put aside my career now, I am coming out for the women, the youths, we have talents in Nigeria, we need to explore what we have.’
‘We have both made sacrifices to join politics to bring positive changes to the people of Ikorodu and the state.’
‘We should build a state where our children can live rather than running and staying abroad.
” I am joining Jandor to bring a breath of fresh air to Ikorodu and Lagos,’ she said.
She explained that when she was initially nominated for the ticket, she ran away, but eventually ended up accepting it after God and the people promised to be by her side.
‘ I answered the call. We are the owners of Lagos, we will vote, win and rule the state,’ she said.
She further stated that she joined the race in order to assist in tackling the challenges of infrastructure, the standard of education and the health system in the state.
She continued: ‘For the women, I am going there for you. For the youths and the children, I am there for you. We can do a lot for this state and country and make things work.
‘We are youths, we can run, we have energy to fix Lagos state. For my Ikorodu people, I thank you, I will not put you to shame. PDP is taking over.’
The PDP Chairman of Lagos State, Mr Phillip Aivoji presented the flag to Akindele, while saying that it was the turn of the PDP to take over the mantle of leadership in the state.
His words: ‘When the time of a thing has come, no one can cover it. By the power of God, we have come to light up Ikorodu and all parts of Lagos state.’
‘By the Grace of God, victory is ours and it is certain in 2023,’ Aivoji said.
He prayed that the duo of Olajide Adediran Jandor and Funke Akindele would rule Lagos State so well for four years that residents in the state would have no choice than to re-elect them.
Adediran on his part, explained that Funke, who was his age mate had the passion to improve the lives of Lagosians, stressing that they would both bring positive changes to the people, having successfully been accomplished both in their careers and businesses.
His words: ‘We have brought a breath of fresh air to the people of Lagos. My deputy is a brand that will connect to both the grassroots and the people in the cyber space.’
‘Formally, I want to present to you what we have Christened a Breath of Fresh Air. It is a clear departure from the norm,’ Adediran concluded.
