_...Promise to Donate Campaign Materials, Hold Special Prayers for APC Leaders_
Traders at Owode Onirin, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, have pledged electoral support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and the governorship ambition of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, while promising to donate thousands of campaign souvenirs and materials in support of the APC candidates.
The traders made the pledge during a special Independence Day prayer organised by the Owode Old Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association and the Owode Onirin Ifesowapo Iron & Metal Association at the Owode Onirin Central Mosque on Friday, October 2.
The event featured prayers for the peace, progress and development of Nigeria, as well as divine guidance for Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Chief Imam of Owode Onirin Central Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Kareem Usman, who led the prayers, described the initiative as a significant development, noting that, to his knowledge, it was the first time traders in the market had organised a special prayer for Nigeria and its leaders.
He offered special prayers for Hamzat, asking God to preserve his life, grant him good health, wisdom and direction, and guide him in leading Lagos State. He also prayed for the deputy governor’s success in the forthcoming governorship election.
Explaining the rationale behind the gathering, the Secretary of the Owode Onirin Old Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Olawale Samuel Garuba, said the traders believed continuity in leadership was necessary to sustain development in the country and Lagos State.
Garuba said the association’s members were committed to supporting Tinubu’s second-term bid and Hamzat’s governorship ambition, adding that they were prepared to mobilise eligible voters to support the APC candidates at the polls.
He disclosed that the association had printed thousands of souvenirs and campaign materials, which it was ready to donate in support of Hamzat’s aspiration.
Garuba added that the market had a considerable number of eligible voters whose participation could contribute to the electoral fortunes of the candidates.
Also speaking, the Secretary-General of the Ifelorewa Iron & Metal Association, Owode Onirin, Islaudeen Wahab, said traders across the market’s various units had united to offer prayers and demonstrate their support for Tinubu and Hamzat.
He said members had been encouraged to turn out en masse during the elections, noting that many traders possessed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and were prepared to exercise their civic responsibility.
Wahab, however, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide additional polling units in the market, arguing that the existing facilities were inadequate for the number of traders and other eligible voters.
“We have been voting, but we want to increase our votes this time around,” he said, urging INEC to expand polling facilities to accommodate the market’s voting population.
In his remarks, an APC chieftain, Chief Babatunde Cole, said the prayer gathering reflected the traders’ support for the party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Cole expressed confidence that Hamzat, if elected governor, would build on the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration and further advance Lagos State’s development.
He cited Hamzat’s experience, leadership qualities and familiarity with governance in the state as attributes that could help him sustain ongoing programmes and drive further progress.
The organisers said the prayer initiative was aimed at seeking divine intervention for Nigeria and its leaders, while bringing traders together to pray for peace, stability and continued development in the country and Lagos State.
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