Dear People of Lagos, you've probably heard the new rhetoric that the APCs spin-masters have been spewing out in the last couple of days stating that if Lagos is in the opposition, the Federal Government will deny Lagos a lot of benefits. Just yesterday, a few well meaning Lagosians had sent us Facebook and SMS messages asking for my take on this issue so I've decided to speak up.
First, I wonder about the soundness of this argument especially after listening to President-elect General Buhari's acceptance speech where he clearly stated " There shall no longer be a ruling party again... We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government".
This
basically spoke to our better-angels as a people and our sense of community as
Nigerians. If so, then where's the logic in the argument? Is APC LAGOS by the
nature of this "aligning Lagos to the center" statement, now
inferring that General Buhari intends to run a vindictive, partial or
insensitive government? Well, that's not for me to answer and it's clearly not
the focus of this piece.
What I know, however, is that Lagos has always made
progress in spite of being in the opposition and right now it will be to the
benefit of democracy and the whole country to have a watchful police, as opposed
to both power houses - Lagos & Abuja concentrated in one party. In fact, if
my memory of history serves me well, Lagos and the FG have never been in the
same party. Our development as a state is as a result of our ingenuity,
tenacity and drive as a people. And it's clear that Lagosians can see through
this total botch of logic.
During late Pa'
Awo's time, the Action Group led Lagos while the NCNC led the FG. In 1979 up
until 1983, LK Jakande's achievements were under UPN even though President
Shagari was in NPN. In 1992 Governor Otedola was NRC and SDP led the FG before
the JUNE 12 annulment. In 1999 Tinubu was AD, FG was PDP. In 2007-2011, his
excellency, Governor Fashola was AC/ACN/APC while the FG led by Yar’Adua was
PDP. Under Yar’Adua, the FG released withheld funds to Lagos that had been
blocked by his predecessor despite being in opposing parties with Governor
Fashola. You see, our edge as a state has always being about our collective
ability to stay ahead of the curve with our without favour from the FG.
That
said, it's important that we put in context what is really happening in
Nigeria. The yearning for change that has clearly swept this nation is one that
supersedes any one man, political party, tribe or religion. Put simply, it is a
statement against the status-quo. A clarion call by the people for leaders who
will put the peoples interests first before aggrandisement and petty bickering
that seems to have become the norm in politics. To politicians, leaders and
people in position of authority including myself, it is a call that we cannot
stand against. It's one that we must all comply with to ensure that we build a
better society and a greater Nigeria.
Now
given that our message of transforming governance in Lagos to ensure that we
cater not only to few elites but the generality of the greater good of the
people of Lagos is resonating with Lagosians - both indigenes and non-indigenes
alike, one can only expect the opposition to throw everything including the
kitchen sink. It is clear that arguments of this sort are only the rumblings of
a small group of people determined to hold on to power at all costs in Lagos.
Even on the streets, one can clearly see the destruction of our adverstising
material from the Third Mainland Bridge right down to Ikoyi; it's been fatal.
But I dare say that the handwriting is on the wall. The people of Lagos, in
this election are determined to CHANGE the status-quo and they will do
everything in their power to protect and guard their votes.
As
we approach the end of this tightly contested election race in Lagos, I'll
encourage voters to be careful about what I call last-minute divisive tactics
which, again is to be expected at a time such as this. My opponent will keep on
making insinuations and attempt to pre-empt how I will govern rather than share
with us his own unique take on how he intends govern. It is political silly
season, I get it. But at the end of day, the result speaks for itself and the
people are wiser now.
I
pride myself on the fact that we've run a pretty robust, disciplined and
inclusive campaign where people from all works of life have supported our
efforts - technocrats, party members, non-party members, youth volunteers,
indigenes and non-indigenes alike. We've led by example and remained honourable
even in the face of intimidation. We've
highlighted bold plans that will enhance the contributions of our youth,
artisans and civil service to society. We've laid out potentially path-breaking
reform plans to curb corruption in government by leveraging web technology that
will make not just help voters to track government procurement (as we currently
have) but also government spending and expenditure thereby making the process
transparent so that we can hold our leaders within the public service accountable.
We have not shied away from debating major issues and presenting our ideas on
how we intend to expand this economy and ensure that ordinary Lagosians are not
over-burdened by the weight of unfair taxes. We have campaigned on ideas not
propaganda and provided Lagosians with an insight to what real change looks
like.
Our
moment is now. And yes, we can have a government free of nepotism. We can have
a government where we curb corruption and nepotism and extend the prosperity of
this state to include ordinary people. We can have a Lagos that does not
discriminate on the basis of gender, religion or belief. We can have a Lagos
for you - A Lagos for all of us.
That said, we cannot go to sleep and be under any
illusions that this will come easy. We will need to fight for it. I am calling
on all people to defend our voice as a people come April 11th. Stand at the
polling units, monitor the polling officers, request for the number of
accredited voters BEFORE you return to vote. Democracy must prevail in our
great state, defend your votes, defend the polling units, protect Democracy. It
will be my honour to serve as your Governor - a man capable of making his own
decisions as I have always done in the past. Quite frankly, I'm not sure anyone
can say the same of my opponent.
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJimiAgbaje
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