national interest arises, he is quick to stand on the side of the people. He, on Wednesday, aligned with the youth protesting against the brutality and extra judicial killings by a unit of the Nigerian Police tagged the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Alongside the five-point demand of the protesters, however, Abiru urged the federal government to completely implement the report of the Presidential Panel on the Reforms of SARS, which according to him, would go a long way to change the public perception of the Nigeria Police. He canvassed outright implementation of a 2804-page report at a meeting with residents of Agbowa, Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Wednesday, canvassing the amendment of the Nigeria Police Act. At the meeting are the APC Vice Chairman, Lagos East, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya; a former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jokotola Pelumi and husband of Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Bode Oyedele, among others. Consultations Abiru has taken time to visit and consulted with the 3 local councils in Kosofe, he visited the CDA/CDC, who are the leaders of the community. Abiru hasn’t looked down on the 3 major markets in Kosofe, which is where the majority of the votes come from. He has met with the leaders of Mile 12 international market, Ketu fruit market as well as Owode Onirin. Consequently, Tokunbo Abiru, candidate of the All progressives congress recently engaged some of the community journalists, as well as influencers of the Lagos East senatorial district, seeking their support in his ambition while also responding politely to their blunt questions, which helps to correct his ‘stooge’ status impression, which they earlier had prior to their meeting with him. Mr Abiru, has taken time to sit with these community crusaders, who saw genuine intention and have continued to preach the gospel of Tokunbo Abiru to their respective communities. Abiru said he would also pursue and support initiatives and policies that would better a lot of the people of the Lagos East senatorial district if elected. “I will be a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with resolute focus on the welfare of Lagos East. I will use the position of senator and my energy and resources to further their well-being, welfare, prosperity, empowerment and security. “In my role as a senator, my legislative activities will be anchored on two overriding considerations, one of which is to join hands with colleagues in the National Assembly from Lagos to further efforts to secure a special status for the state in view of its status as the financial, industrial, media and entertainment capital of Nigeria,” he noted. Abiru acknowledged the pressure on the infrastructure of Lagos State due to federal establishments like seaports, airports and military installations, and the mass rate of migration from other states into the state. On this note, Abiru said: “I will contribute towards improving national economic performance including, especially national revenue generation, industrialisation, infrastructure development, financial deepening and inclusion, employment generation and poverty reduction. “I intend to pay attention to execution of projects and initiatives which will have significant impact on the Lagos East Senatorial district.” Specifically, the APC senatorial candidate noted that he would work towards the reconstruction of Ikorodu-Epe-Ijebu-Ode and Ikorodu-Sagamu expressways as well as ancillary industrialisation along the corridor when elected. Besides, Abiru pledged to work with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure speedy completion of Lagos -Ibadan expressway when elected the senator representing Lagos East. He said he would work to ensure the development of tourism potential of Ibeju-Lekki and sustained industrial and commercial development of areas like Ikorodu, Somolu, Epe and Kosofe. On Kosofe, he further noted that he would see to the construction of the Agboyi link bridge, in order to allay the sufferings of the Agboyi people as well as open up Agboyi for development purposes. The APC candidate promised “to establish and institutionalise programmes for the poor, the vulnerable, the unemployed, the aged and women generally to create employment and reduce poverty in Lagos East.” Abiru said he did a lot to reposition Polaris Bank as CEO, and would come to the senate with the same character if elected. He thanked party members for nominating and affirming him as candidate, saying his nomination was the greatest honour ever done for him as citizen of Nigeria. He also commended the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what he called “interventionist strides in the state. At this point let me assure our leaders and members that I will never betray the trust they have reposed in me. “Rather, as we approach the bye-election and afterwards, I will build on this trust and join forces with all public office holders elected on the platform not our party to build upon the foundation of progressives the party has laid for our country since 2015.” He urged party members to work assiduously for the victory of the party at the bye-election scheduled for October 31. Likewise, the Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe II State Constituency bye-elections were necessitated by the death of Senator Adebayo Osinowo and Barrister Tunde Braimoh, respectively.
