By Lukman Olabiyi

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday,  declared support for the re-election bid of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Wike, who had been having  running battle with his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Sanwo-Olu of  the All Progressive Congress (APC) is the best man for the job due to his performance.

  He said Nigeria needs a president that has the interest of Nigerians, experience in governance, can put food on the table, fight insecurity and not people who are talking about ethnicity.

   When asked which presidential candidate was on his mind, Wike said Nigerians should not worry.

Governor Wike spoke at the declaration of ongoing 22nd National Women’s Conference (NWC) in Lagos. The annual conference with the theme: ‘Spring Forth, Stand Out,’ is  organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

Wike, who was special guest said involvement of women in politics and decision making in Lagos State is what is making it to continue to set the pace in the country.

Wike said he was amazed with what  COWLSO was doing and promised to replicate all what he had learnt from the conference in his state as well. As part of support for COWLSO, he donated N300 millions for its future projects.

On Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid, Wike said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s performance has earned him a second term. He commended him for giving women the opportunity  to serve in various capacities in the state, especially the judiciary.

“By the grace of God, you will be a second term governor. Lagos State is doing better than other states in this country because Lagos has allowed women to participate in governance in various capacities. I am very happy to participate in this conference. I don’t play politics of ethnicity. Even if Sanwo-Olu is in my party but is not doing well, I wouldn’t have come. I do not regret saying I am in support of you,”  he told Sanwo-Olu.

He further said his administration has emulated Lagos State by ensuring a woman became a deputy governor in 2015 as no woman had ever served in that capacity since the state was created in the 60s.

Wike added that all 22 local governments in Rivers have female vice chairmen.

Governor Wike also commended Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu for several projects COWLSO had done under her chairmanship in the last three years.

In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the organizers of the conference for their positive contribution to the state’s development.

He urged participants to vote for him for  second term in office, adding they should not be deceived by anyone.

In her opening address, Mrs  Sanwo-Olu said this year’s theme was appropriate as the “world is in need of solutions.’  As women, we owe it to ourselves to emerge into better versions of ourselves as we spring forth and keep pushing forward to make a positive difference,” she said.