CANADA: A NIGERIAN, Mr. Shola Abdulazeez Agboola, has been invited by the Conservative Party of Canada to help it restructure and revitalised the party ahead of the 2019 federal elections.
The party, which lost majority of its Hose of Common seats in October last year elections to the Liberal Party, pleaded with the Nigerian-Canadian politician living in Manitoba Province, Canada, to do all within his ambit to widened its base in preparation for victory ahead of the next elections.
The Conservation Party (CP) Leader, Mr. Stephen Harper, who ruled as Prime Minister between 2006 and 2015, lost the Federal election to the incumbent Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, of the Liberal Party.
The CP made the plea in a letter sent to Agboola by the party’s newly elected President, Scott Lamb, who sought his inclusion at the federal level in the restructuring of the immediate past ruling party.
Lamb told Agboola, a member on the board of the CP, that he would be valuable in the party’s bid to return to power in four years from now.
“This summer, I plan to travel across Canada to meet in person with top Conservative Party activists and organisers,” he told the Osun State born Nigerian. “But my most immediate goal today is to reach out and team up directly with you and our other important Conservative supporters in Manitoba.”
The CP President also pleaded: “I need to know if I count on you to be my partner as we work to expand and strengthen the Conservative Party base in Manitoba in 2016 – and create an unstoppable force that will elect a new Conservative Government in 2019.”
“Let me tell you why I would be so grateful if you will tell me YES today by returning to me the special Pledge of Support I have enclosed in your name, Mr. Agboola,” Lamb, who is the first party President to hail from British Colombia, added.
While further wooing Agboola, the CP President said that his predecessor, John Walsh, had praised the Nigerian deep sense of dedication and many contributions he had given the party over the years.
Similarly, Lamb said that he was aware of overture from the CP’s Leader, Rona Ambrose, who contacted him since the party became the official opposition in the House of Commons.
Lamb further stressed that Agboola’s steady commitment to the party over the years gave him the conviction of his belief in the CP’s victory which depends on “large-based party organisation.”
While reacting to this development, a highly elated Agboola said: “Of course, I felt happy and honoured. It is quite a big deal for me to be recognized for what I have contributed to the system.
On being a Nigerian from Africa to serve on the CP board, Agboola, who is the National Liaison Officer of Oodua Progressive Union Canada Chapter, stressed: “It makes me feel so proud of what I have managed to accomplish as a Nigerian immigrant.
“The reason for being the only Black to serve on the board is that as you may have know, traditionally, most immigrants especially those from Africa tend to lean toward the Liberal Party, but because I know we share lots of Conservative values as Africans in terms of personal responsibility, free market, low tax, and strong family ties etc it does not take me long to realize I have a niche within the party,” he emphasised.
While speaking on the development, the President of Olumo Progressive Association Canada Inc. and the Public Relations Officer of Oodua Progressive Union Canada Chapter, Chief ‘Femi Shodunke, said that the recognition was a clear testimony of the profound abilities of Nigerians to showcase their skill and knowledge of the political terrain in any environment they found themselves.
“This is good news. This is a great development to Nigeria, Africa and our people here in Canada, and a clear testimony and confirmation of our people’s prowess to excel in any area, particularly politics in a saner environment,” Shodunke, who is also the Publisher of Canada-based GatewayMail online newspaper, said.
He added: “I am indeed glad on this recognition for our fellow Nigerian-Canada brother and I look forward to more political opportunities for our people, particularly to show our talents and contribute largely to the Canadian society.
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