Few days after Lagos State workers threw their weight behind his re-election bid, the bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria have endorsed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term in office.

The clerics hinged their decision on the performance of the governor since coming on board in 2019.

The bishops, on Tuesday, commended the performance of the Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos for good governance and service to humanity.

As such, they urged Lagosians to grant the governor a second term to complete the enviable projects he has started and others in the pipeline.

The bishops endorsed Sanwo-Olu’s re-election during the Opening Session of the 39th Bishops’ Council of Methodist Church Nigeria held at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Uche, said Sanwo-Olu deserved a second term having distinguished himself amongst his peers in government.

His words: “You (Governor Sanwo-Olu) are among the best in governance we currently have in Nigeria. For this reason, I urge that you be allowed to go for a second term in office so as to complete the enviable projects that you started and others that are in the pipeline. All the bishops in Lagos will mobilise our members, our votes must go to Sanwo-Olu.

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“Though, I am not a card-carrying member of any political party neither am I partisan, yet I value people for who they are and not their political affiliation. I believe people like you are the one we should replicate all over the world. The Bishops’ Council will pray for you and other government functionaries so that we continue to have a very progressive and development-oriented Lagos State.”

Speaking on the state of the nation, the Prelate urged the government at the federal level to address issues of hunger, inflation and insecurity, saying no nation can prosper in the midst of the three challenges.

He also implored Nigeria to practice true federalism and regional governments.

In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the Methodist Church bishops for endorsing him for a second term and assured Lagos residents of the greatest good for the greatest number.

“I humbly acknowledge and thank you for your quiet endorsement of my second term. We cannot afford to fail. We cannot afford to give excuses. We cannot afford to give reasons, untenable reasons why we cannot take our country forward.

“I stand before you and I have said this over and over, with every fabric in my body, I will continue to serve the people of Lagos. We will serve them without fear or favour, ensuring that the greatest good is for the greatest number.”

The governor also announced that his government will pay compensation for missionary schools that had been given back to missionaries, saying they are partners in government, considering their contribution to the education sector in the state.

The Star