A political pressure class, “Itesiwaju Group,” supporters of Prof Yemi Osinbajo (PYO) for President Campaign has endorsed Ganiyu Johnson’s aspiration for the Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the 2023 elections.
The group, which is loyal to former Home Affairs Commissioner and Lagos State and leader of PYO Organisation, Dr Abdulhakeem Abdulateef, endorsed Johnson on Saturday for the House of Representatives.
Ganiyu contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and won in 2019 after defeating Emmanuel Nnodim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A leading contender against Johnson is the former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bola Tinubu, and later Commissioner for Information and Strategy, under the administration of ex-governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Kehinde Bamigbetan.
The relationship between Johnson and the PYO has been the subject of speculation until the recent endorsement by the group.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is contesting for the presidential ticket of the APC with the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu.
It was learnt that Johnson, who sponsored the distribution of bags of rice to attract new members to the Itesiwaju group last week, has promised the group more support in its efforts to mobilise Lagos State APC delegates to boost the fortunes of the PYO campaign organisation in the May 30 presidential primaries of the APC.
Last month, Abdulhateef made public his support for Osinbajo when he led a group of Islamic leaders in a solidarity visit to the Presidential aspirant.
Since then, there have been moves to recruit statutory delegates from Lagos State to give Osinbajo a good electoral performance at the primaries.
A statement by the state leader of the group, Femi Ibine, circulated on Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Foundation platform, and made available to journalists yesterday, read in part:
2023: I will not withdraw from presidential race – Lawan
“Distinguished and esteemed members, warmest greetings from our foremost and iconic leader, Dr AbdulHakeem I.
“As we embark on a new phase of the political landscape, the leadership of Itesiwaju has weighed the past, and present and thoroughly analysed the future of political prospects in our constituency with the best interest of the people at heart and therefore taken a working decision on our MHR (Member of House of Representatives).
“While wishing the aspirants a resounding victory in their quest to clinch the ticket of the party, we want our teeming members to receive and act under this directive from the apex leadership of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Foundation and spread the news to others that our endorsed aspirant for the APC party primaries for the House of Representatives come Thursday, May 26, 2022, is Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson.
“We urge all eligible delegates to go out and vote for him en masse.”
