Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Tuesday met with market leaders across the state in continuation of his ongoing political consultations with stakeholders.
Sanwo-Olu met the traders under the aegis of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria.
The meeting was held at the Alausa residence of their President-General, Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo.
Sanwo-Olu said that the traders were important stakeholders in the governance of the state, and the visit was part of his wide consultation ahead of the general elections.
According to him, the interaction with traders in the informal sector is strategic in reaching out to the grassroots.
He said that his administration was committed to the well-being of the traders, while asking for their full support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections.
”Market leaders and their members are important stakeholders in the governance of Lagos. We interact with them from time to time and consult them on issues concerning growth of our markets.
”Today, we have come here to thank them for the support they have continued to give our government and to encourage them to continue to be loyal citizens of the state,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said that the government had hastened ongoing work to complete all the markets currently being constructed.
He announced continuation of credit grants to 100 micro and small businesses in each market across the state, as the intervention had empowered many women and low-income households to meet their needs.
Sanwo-Olu said that his administration’s programmes were aimed at improving the lives of residents, regardless of their incomes and status.
”We are in the season of politics and we consider it necessary to meet with our people in the market and solicit for your support in the forthcoming general elections, especially for our presidential candidate, governorship candidate and other positions our party is vying.
”This is an important step, you are part of the crop of people that diligently wait at the polling booths to cast votes for our party. We cannot take you for granted, despite having new people in the electoral register.
”We need to engage and talk to you about our plans. In this case, we are seeking their support for all our candidates in general,” he said.
The Iyaloja-General, Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, assured the governor of the market leaders’ continued support for the party.
Tinubu-Ojo pledged to mobilise members of their households and communities to vote en masse for APC in the state and at the federal election.