Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has clamoured for the support of Lagosians in the East Senatorial District of the state to vote for Tokunbo Abiru, on October 31.
He charged councilors and other ward leaders from the district to mobilise support for the eminent banker and former Finance Commission.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the weekend during the flag off of 377 projects spread across the wards in the state.
He urged Lagos East APC leaders and supporters to demonstrate the party’s relevance as the dominant political platform in Lagos.
Abiru, who campaigned in Ikorodu, his home town, at the weekend, said he was prepared for the senatorial challenge, judging by his pedigree and antecedent.
The former Managing Director of Polaris Bank said the challenge that confronted the defunct Skye Bank could have claimed eight thousand jobs and one trillion naira customers’ funds, if he had not been there on rescue mission.
He said the Federal Government took over the bank in view of its precarious financial situation and changed it to Polaris Bank.
Abiru said before his retirement from Polaris Bank as the Chief Executive Officer, management had stabilised the bank and returned it to path of profitability.
He stressed: “Skye Bank was rescued and changed to Polaris Bank. With the change, and what we were able to do, the bank is now stronger.
“We were able to save no fewer than eight thousand jobs, and by extension, protect the livelihoods of about 40,000 families.
“We kept our four million customers and saved the deposits of about one trillion naira that could have been lost.
“We did our best; if elected, I will make the same impact and even, do more for the people of the Lagos East Senatorial District,” Abiru said.
The APC standard-bearer said that he was made the chief executive officer with a mandate to turn the bank around.
Abiru said with focus, dedication and support of his team, he was able to stabilise Polaris Bank before he retired in August.
He promised that if elected, he would replicate his interventionist strides and bring to bear his over 30 years’ experience in banking sector in the Senate.
“I want to thank you all, party members, for your support and for choosing me as candidate of the party. I thank you, and I assure you that I will deliver, if elected.
“I will bring the competence acquired in the banking sector for about 30 years to serve the people in the Senate,” the APC candidate promised.
Abiru said he would continue with the legacies of those who had represented the senatorial district by offering quality representation.
He said his father, Justice Abiru, Sen. Anthony Adefuye, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, Sen. Olorumbe Mamora, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and the late Sen. Bayo Osinowo, did well, promising to do his best to honour their legacies.
Abiru said he would work with other National Assembly members to attract more development to the Lagos East and the state as a whole.
He said that securing a special status for Lagos in view of the pressure on the state as a former Federal Capital would be one of his priorities at the Senate.
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