Rep Yakub Abiodun (APC-Lagos) has described the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as ”a helper and elevator of the downtrodden”.

Balogun made the remark at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

“Asiwaju is an indefatigable, resourceful, visionary, God-anointed political leader.

“Asiwaju is a builder of men, who builds people from nothing to something, a helper and elevator of the downtrodden.

“He is not a fascist and not a power grabber. In fact, Asiwaju is one of the best characters we have around,” he said.

The lawmaker, who represents Lagos Island II Federal Constituency but stepped down for another candidate in the 2019 general elections, also said that he had not quit politics.

He explained that his decision not to contest a return ticket for the House of Representatives’ seat was a personal conviction that the younger generation should be given the opportunity to also serve.

He, however, disassociated himself from a media publication that he was quitting politics.

“I politely request for this opportunity to brief you this afternoon in order to put a newspaper report on my humble self in the proper perspective.

“In as much as I honestly appreciate the newspaper’s efforts at informing the Nigerian public about the goings-on in the political arena in Nigeria, I wish to say emphatically that I never sponsored the publication, neither did I hold any news conference nor issued any press statement on the subject matter.

“I made the decision out of personal conviction to allow others to have a chance to serve the people too and I made it formal by informing my party’s hierarchy.

“My decision was very voluntary but I have not abandoned politics because I believe I can still offer more in other capacities,” the lawmaker said.

He said further that,

“I left the service of Lagos State Government as the Head of Civil Service (HoS) two years to the expiration of my tenure.

“My philosophy has always been to allow younger ones to come up and that was what informed the decision not to contest again but allow someone else to represent my constituency.

“We have many competent graduates out there that can do it, considering our population.

“I will continue to play politics. I haven’t quit politics; it is in my blood and I will serve in any capacity entrusted to me because I believe politics is a veritable tool to serve,” Balogun said.

(NAN)