-Provides Potable Water for 12 Communities
-Gives Succour Worth Tens of Millions to Communities

The general elections are closer than we anticipated, it is the first State elections that would take place without the presence and inputs of the late Senator Adebayo Osinowo, otherwise known as ‘Pepper’, who, in the All Progressives Congress setting, was seen as the regulating factor of the party, in Kosofe local government and across the Lagos East Senatorial District.

The demise of Osinowo has left the party with so much division, such that left the party with no coordinated means of togetherness. The result is that every notable party member of APC in Kosofe arrogates the power of being a leader to themselves, while others hope to step into Osinowo’s shoes. The effect of this will be evidently seen in the coming elections, as the followership is being misled, amidst the crises that threatens the progress of APC at Kosofe local government.

The division of the ruling party in Kosofe, has created a vacuum for other parties to triumph, such that SDP, NNPP, Labour Party and a few others have presented strong and credible candidates whom have further given the electorate a wide range of alternatives to make a choice from.

Since business mogul, Lanre Carew, has thrown his hat in the ring, on the platform of the SDP, he has enjoyed the goodwill of the electorate, from within and outside his ex-platform, all across the two constituencies of Kosofe. Carew has made himself more popular and approachable by his huge investment in the personal needs of the people which he has made to cascade down to their respective communities.

The Kosofe Inside-Out media team met with Lanre Carew, during one of his outings. Enjoy the details of what development of a constituency truly means to the candidate of the SDP at the Lagos State House of Assembly Constituency 1, Mr Lanre Carew.

KIO: Can we meet you, sir?
LC: My name is Lanre Carew, candidate of the SDP

KIO: Sir, as a chattered accountant, what inspired you into politics?
LC: Thank you very much. It’s like asking somebody that studied law, why he became a lawyer. I never looked at qualification for humanity. If you know my story very well, I’ve always been a Philanthropist, since I was young. I started moving around with politicians in 2013, during the election of Rotimi Agunsoye. I was one of his supporters then and during ex-Governor Ambode, I worked for the party. Some of my friends that were in politics advised that I’m a good material for politics, because I’m naturally a giver and people like me. Most of the leaders in Kosofe came to me to join politics. That is why my first attempt was overwhelming, when the list was shortlisted, out of 16 aspirants, we had 3 veterans. The late Senator Bayo Osinowo sent for me and said I know people love you, but please, honour me, support Okanlawon. That was what happened in 2014. For me, politics goes hand in hand with my personality.

 

KIO: What would you say you are doing that makes people want you?
LC: I think people can read through genuine stories of others. I think I am very real and the way I play my game is different. I don’t help you because I want something from you. I don’t roll like that, if you remember very well, when I stepped down in 2018, I bought 11 vehicles and gave it out after the campaign. I bought vehicles for my ward chairmen. There was a supporter of mine that had a fracture(Mrs Fayemi), I went to visit her and was told she will be transporting herself to and fro, I wasn’t comfortable with public transport, So I bought her a car. My supporters see through me. I’m an open person. I don’t discriminate. You can’t be my person if you are arrogant. I am humble. I came from nothing to something.

 

KIO: Over the years, we have seen politicians distribute note books or sunk bore holes and they are being celebrated. From reliable source we gathered that you are currently sinking 12 boreholes across the constituency, why did you choose to be silent about it?

We will stand together and together we will see the beauty of Kosofe. Kosofe is strategically located, we have everything and we are everything. Empowerment is what I have for the people of Kosofe. What’s wrong in bringing tech hub into Kosofe?

KIO : Sir, what has been the challenges since you joined politics? And why Kosofe?
LC : I was born in Kosofe, my mother’s house is in Kosofe. And the challenges I have faced is the same one with Nigeria; Lack of ideas, harassment, no infrastructure and hike in price of everything.

 

KIO: Can you briefly tell us your agenda for the people of Kosofe?

LC: For the people of Kosofe, I don’t like the relocation syndrome. See me as your lenses, I have been there and I know there is nothing there. When you’re passionate about something, there’s no length you cannot go to achieve it. Farm city lekki was like a punishment. The site was apportioned to me to see what I can do, look at that place now.

 

KIO: What is your message to the people of Kosofe ahead of the March 11th House of Assembly elections?

LC: I think my message to my people is that of hope, unmatched hope.