The Arewa community in Lagos State has endorsed the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to be elected as the next governor.

Members of the Hausa community who trooped out in solidarity in thousands made the pledge to deliver over 1 million votes out of the over 6 million registered voters in Lagos at an endorsement rally on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Surulere.

Sanwo-Olu assured members of the Arewa community that his administration would not marginalise any ethnic group in the state, reiterating that his resolve to lead an all-inclusive government if elected.

The APC candidate, accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said all the concerns raised by the Arewa community would be addressed, promising that his government would upgrade markets in the state to an enviable standard.

He said: “The Arewa community has been part of our journey since we started campaign. We will continue to value your support. I want to assure you that all of us in Lagos are together. We will not discriminate against any ethnic group.

“We embarked on wide consultations across the state to meet with stakeholders. During our consultative meeting with the Arewa leadership, we have listened to your concerns and we are ready to address them. The concern about markets will be addressed. We will upgrade all the markets to meet the standards you want.”

Sanwo-Olu urged members of the Arewa community to extend the same support to candidates of the party vying for various positions in the state and federal government.

While also addressing the crowd, Dr. Hamzat urged members of the group to reject the candidates of the main opposition party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – which, he said, destroyed the country for 16 years.

The chairman of Arewa Community in Lagos, Alhaji Mohammad Dandamma Yabo, who spoke in Hausa, said members endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu because of the resolves to address the marginalisation of the Arewa people in Lagos.

He also said the Arewa community would mobilise members to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates.

Chairman of Amalgamated Foodstuff Seller in Lagos, Alhaji Shehu Usman, said: “The votes of Arewa people will be significant in the coming election. We want the incoming governor to keep to his promise of upgrading the Mile 12 Market and other markets to meet the international standards.”

Alhaji Jubril Magaji, the Wakilu Nupe in the state, was also at the event.

•Photo shows, L-R; All Progressives Congress (APC), Gubernatorial Candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Chairman, Arewa Community in Lagos State, Alhaji Mohammad Dandama Yabo and Seriki Hausa in Lagos, Alhaji Abdullahi Gafar, during a campaign rally and formal endorsement of Mr Sanwo-Olu, by the Arewa Community in Lagos, at the National Stadium, Surulere . . . on Thursday.

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