Share With the December 5 Lagos East senatorial district bye-election won by Mr Tokunbo Abiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the stage is set to fill the vacuum created by the demise of Senator Osinowo Adebayo, writes KUNLE ODEREMI. Of the five senatorial districts in states where the bye-election took place on December 5, none commanded more attention than the Lagos East senatorial district. It was the most keenly contested with the background, especially the political antecedents of the two main candidates: Mr Tokunboh Abiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). From 1999 till date, the zone has had six senators before Abiru won last Saturday, having polled a total of 89, 204 votes to the 11, 257 scored by Gbadamosi. The last senator was Osinowo Adebayo (APC), who died some months ago, necessitating the December 5 bye-election. Though the electioneering was characterised by the usual intrigues and bravado, the electorate from the area were not ready to be taken for a ride. So, those looking for their mandate had their eyes on the ball. In the camp of the APC, the intensity and seriousness displayed on the field during the campaign jolted the people because it was as if what was at stake was the governorship seat. Abiru was taken to task on campaign. His words: “I will not describe it as an elaborate campaign as such. If you are familiar with Lagos East, you will come to this conclusion: first, it largely comprises indigenous people of Lagos. We are talking about Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Somolu. Outside Ikorodu, which is my origin, I am not sure I am well known in these locations. Second, if you look at the composition of people along this belt, you will find a commonality there. And that belt is composed of Ijebu-speaking people, especially in Epe, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki and Somolu. For somebody, who has spent his life in the private sector, I cannot take things for granted. Let it be that people actually know me. I have to move around and explain myself to them. Also, I crisscrossed all the local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos East.”