LAGOS – Mr Ismail Abiola, the Secretary, PDP Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, on Friday expressed support for Cosmas Okoli to vie for House of Representatives.
Abiola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he supported Okoli because of his antecedents and achievements for disabled athletes in Nigeria.
According to Abiola, Okoli will fulfill his promises to bring about development if elected, because “Okoli is a man of his words.’’
“Honestly, House of Representative is a legislative chamber. It is not an executive branch where they have power to award contract or any other thing.
“But, definitely, he has the capacity to lobby the President and as well lobby the governor of his state to bring development down to his constituency.
“Development such as roads networking, potable water and care for the aged ones, the youth and women as well.
“And at the same time, enabling environment for the entire community that will bring development generally to the local government.
“That he promised as part of his programme that he wants to bring to the party as a representative.’’
According to him, Okoli’s situation would further enable him to fight for the cause of people with disability if elected.
The secretary said that as a lawmaker, the aspirant would be in the position to influence the decisions of the executives for the benefits of his immediate constituents.
Okoli, the president of the Nigeria Special Sports from 1995 to 2001, had been a sports person who had won medals for the country.
He organised the team that represented Nigeria at the Atlanta ’96 Paralympics in the U.S. and also Sydney 2000 where Nigeria won 7 gold, 1 silver and 5 bronze medals.
Okoli was also instrumental to making sports for the disabled a scoring event at the National Sports Festival where various talents had emerged.
The aspirant has also participated in World Wheelchair Championships and the All African Games where he won medals. (NAN)
