Nigerian Actors Throw Weight Behind Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

A group of notable actors under the aegis of “League of Lagos Artistes” have expressed their unflinching supports for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari for the second term and that of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of Lagos State in the coming general elections.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos over the weekend, Prince Jide Kosoko, the Convener of the group, said they are throwing their weight behind President Buhari because aside the giant strides the country has witnessed in the last three and a half years under his watch, for the first time, Nigeria would have a leader whose integrity is not in doubt, even among his fiercest opponents and critics.

According to the veteran thespian, as actors they are creators of wisdom and positive virtues through their scripts and movies, thus they have individually and collectively decided to lend their voices and support to the causes of those best exemplify such values.

“We are citizens of this country and have seen successive governments and we know as much as other Nigerians that discipline is one major thing that has been lacking in almost every areas of our national life, including governance. The lack of discipline has given room for unmitigated corruption, a culture of waste, injustice in every strata of our society and chronic lack of patriotism, these added together have been responsible for the country’s slow pace of development,” said Kosoko.

He added; “After considering the above, and bearing in mind the need to instill discipline in the body polity to curb corruption, injustice, wasteful and profligacy of the nation’s resources and build a sense of patriotism among Nigerians, we have come to the conclusion that only one man, at the moment fit into the bill to help steer the ship of states and continue in the gradual redemption of our national pride and that man is President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Prince Kosoko pointed out what he described as a sore point in the wasteful utilisation of the country’s resources evident in the litany of abandoned projects all over the country.

He noted that successive governments have tried to outdo each other by abandoning projects of previous governments to start theirs but with the coming of President Buhari, the narrative has changed as he made the completion of ongoing projects a priority of his administration.

Since every politics is local, the artistes’ group said they couldn’t but takes a more than passing interest in the politics of Lagos State where most of them domiciled.

Prince Kosoko said taking a critical look at the history of Lagos from 1999 when Nigeria returned to constitutional democracy, there’s no gainsaying there has been a trend of development and good governance in Lagos.

“Starting with the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a firm foundation was laid for the development of Lagos State, a foundation that has made the state the envy of every other state in the country…The Administration of former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola took the state to a higher level while that of the incumbent Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has been building on the achievement if his predecessors, with superlative performance in office.

“As March 2 date for the governorship election draw close, Lagosians are once again faced with the task and opportunity of choosing a governor that will continue with the tradition of good governance and unparalleled development. The man that fit the bill in our estimation is Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu…who has been adequately prepared for the imminent task ahead of him,” said Kosoko who enjoined all their fans and well wishers to come out in their numbers to vote massively for both President Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday February 16 and on March 2 for the Lagos State All Progressives Congress candidate, Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamsat.

In his contribution, Mr. Yemi Solade, another seasoned actor, cleared the air on heated debate and arguments on both the traditional and social media against the involvements of artistes in political campaign.

Solade said; “We have a duty to educate all that we are equally citizens of this great country called Nigeria. And as citizens, we have our civic responsibilities, not only to vote but also to collectively engage in educating and informing our people through our trade which is entertainment.”

His colleague, Foluke Daramola added that their resolve to endorse the candidature of both President Buhari and Mr. Sanwo-Olu was borne out of their thorough scrutiny of their programmes, particularly, as it affect the creative industry.

The popular actress cum activist noted that they were convinced their interest will best be served with the continuation of President Buhari’s administration and the election of the APC candidate in Lagos State.

At the media briefing were other leading actors including Mr. Adebayo Salami; Mrs. Lanre Hassan; Funsho Adeolu; Ayo Badmus; Ayo Adesanya; Ronke Ojo; Iyabo Ojo; Kemi Afolabi and Madam Saje.