The Arewa nationality in Lagos state has cried out to the governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over what its leaders described as gross marginalisation, neglect and rejection by the  All People’s Congress(APC) in the state.

In a petition to Gov. Sanwo-Olu dated November 29th, 2023 and signed by the leader of the group in ward 2 in the Ajeromi Local government, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the group complained of being used and dumbed by the Lagos APC after helping Governor Sanwo-Olu and other political office holders in the state achieve electoral victory during the March Governorship and State House Assembly elections.

According to the group whose leader sounded distraught and disconsolate in its petition, the state APC not only reneged on its promise to cede three commissioner positions to the group, but the powers that be in the state are even threatening to demolish Otto White Sand market, which is the source of livelihood of most if its members.

According to Tanko, the leader of the ethics nationality in Ward 2 of the state, members, including himself, made personal sacrifices to ensure the group delivered 10 local government areas, including CDAs to the APC during the election.

“Your Excellency sir, my name is Ibrahim Tanko, the Apex leader of Arewa Ethnic Nationality West 2.

” I am compelled to write your good self this letter on behalf of my humble self and Arewa group, a critical and formidable member of All Progressive Congress, Lagos State Chapter.

“Sir, it is without equivocation to state that we the members of the above group are not happy at all, having worked tirelessly and relentlessly in the last concluded general election where I led the submissive and loyal members of the Arewa Community in and around Lagos West 2 that covers 10 local government and CDA Lagos State to a resounding victory for your good self and other political office holders of APC, both Lagos State chapter and the national Assembly elected on the APC platform.

“Your Excellency sir, the Arewa Ethnic group and my humble self as the apex leader fought and risked our lives participating in the last general elections, and sir, we have been totally and grossly relegated, forgotten and abandoned to our fate, hence the reason for this letter.

“Sir, as I write this letter, The AREWA ETHNIC GROUP did not get a thank you visit from the elected leaders of APC in Lagos State.

“It is very disheartening and painful for us to dissipate so much energy and effort and voted massively to achieve outstanding and resonating victory for our great party only to be relegated, forgotten, abandoned and even marginalized.

“Recently and to our greatest surprise sir, an official of the Mainland local government is planning and threatening to demolish the OTTO WHITE SAND market where thousands of our members who fought tirelessly and relentlessly to ensure victory in Lagos State earn their living.

“Please sir, we plead and ask for your swift intervention in this regard. Our members’ means of livelihood should not be taken away, sir.

“In retrospect your Excellency sir,   I will recall but few of our sacrificial conduct and activities among many, before and during the last general election namely;

–The AREWA ETHNIC GROUP donated over three hundred buses to the South West APC.

–I, as the Apex leader, was required and mandated to deliver the entire local governments (10 in all) and I did deliver the ten local governments.

“At my personal cost and expense, I mounted tens of billboards, thousands of campaign posters, T-shirts, face caps, handbills and many other campaign materials.

“Sir, it is pertinent to note that all the party candidates, inclusive of the members of the Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly members are comfortably seated in their offices and chambers ably made possible by our concerted efforts, sweat, grit and finance without remembering us.

“Sir, you may wish to verify and or ascertain the veracity of our assertion or otherwise from the Chairman of the Ethnic Group Committee, honorable FATAI AYOOLA, current Executive Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun local government area of the State.

“In conclusion your Excellency sir, we by this letter hereby strongly express our heartfelt disappointment, betrayal and exclusion.

“We, emphatically and sincerely speaking, were guaranteed three {3} commissioner positions in the Lagos State cabinet.

” Not even one was allocated to us as promised, none came our way.

” It is of paramount importance to note that our people listen to and follow their leaders.

“Your Excellency sir, we therefore humbly ask that you use your good offices and goodwill to look into our complaints and do something to pacify and assuage our people” Tanko pleaded.