Former Lagos Deputy Governor, Mr Femi Pedro, has urged residents of the state to prioritise peace and come out in large numbers to vote during the July 12 local government elections.
Pedro made the appeal at the inauguration of the newly reconstructed Abaranje-Okerube Road in Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area, where he emphasised the importance of democratic participation in sustaining Lagos' development.
“This is the time to think of Lagos and Nigeria first. No election is worth the blood of any citizen,” Pedro said.
“If you perpetrate violence during the elections and die, it won’t change the outcome of the elections. It will only make your family sad. I want to appeal to everyone to stay alive. Come out peacefully, cast your votes and stay alive for your loved ones.”
He added, “Peaceful participation is key. I want to encourage every resident to shun violence and reject apathy. Don’t leave the decision of leadership to a few. Your vote is your power—this is the closest government to the people.”
Pedro commended the Lagos State Government for consistently investing in infrastructure, describing projects like the Abaranje-Okerube Road as essential for community growth and quality of life. The project, inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is expected to improve movement and boost economic activities in the area.
Reflecting on the continuity of governance in the state, Pedro, who once served as deputy to then-Governor Bola Tinubu, said:
“Nigeria needs stability now more than ever, and Lagos must lead by example. The President Bola Tinubu administration is working day and night for a better Nigeria. The economy is going through reforms, but by the time these reforms start yielding results, we all will be beneficiaries of these transformative results.”
Some residents present at the inauguration expressed gratitude to the state government, calling the road a much-needed intervention that had been long overdue.
