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Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode urges APC women to rally for council poll

    Ambode urges APC women to rally for council poll

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) women to come out en masse and rally for the party in the local government election.

    The governor spoke yesterday at an award presentation organised by the Office of APC Women Leader to celebrate the contributions of women to the party’s development.

    Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, described the performance of APC women in Lagos State as excellent, adding that their commitment and loyalty to the party was worth celebrating.

    He said: “The women members of APC in all the wards, at the local government and the state levels, have proven to be worthy advocates of the party. Your contributions and efforts have translated to the resounding success registered by our party in ensuring that the benefits of democracy impact on the lives of all in Lagos State.”

    Ambode said Lagos State women had proven to be courageous soldiers in the face of intimidation by mobilising the electorate and defending their mandate.

    The governor hailed them for their initiative, saying this will motivate more women to join APC’s campaigns to spread democracy across the state during the election.

    A former commissioner, Mrs Kemi Nelson, said 52 “unsung women” were selected from the various local government areas and local council development areas (LCDAs) for a cash reward of N100,000 each.

    She noted that though the women did not possess the power to award contracts or make laws, their efforts had strengthened the party.

    Mrs Nelsons said: “Eminent and successful women are celebrated in all societies every time. We are all used to this. What we hardly ever see is the celebration of ‘the unknown woman’. It’s not that she is oppressed or deprived, but she is somewhere in the lowest rungs of the ladder, unknown and unsung.”

  • Between Banire and Ambode

    SIR: Political betrayers are in a class of their own –calculating, sly and out rightly chameleonic in their disposition. As opportunists they sometimes create crisis and come to the victims to offer solutions. But when they are obsessed by the quest for a political position they can go to any length to undermine or cast aspersions on those they feel constitute stumbling blocks to their vaulting ambition.

    Back in 2014 when the political pendulum  in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos  started swinging in favour of   Governor Akinwunmi Ambode,   Muiz Banire, now APC National Legal Adviser went to town with his co-travelers that he did not possess the quality, charisma, vision and intelligence to steer the ship of  Lagos State.

    To them since Ambode had never been a member of the state executive council nor any antecedence  in party politics, he would not be able to do the job. With that Banire started mounting a campaign of calumny against him. He told whoever cared to listen that the man did not have the capacity to govern the state.

    Good enough, two years after mounting the pedestal of power as the governor of the Centre of Excellence, he has put his critics to shame, by his sterling performance in the areas of infrastructural development, security, education, healthcare delivery and job creation hasn’t he?

    That has elicited the swan song in town of “two is greater than eight”, meaning that his achievements have since buried that of his predecessor, Babatunde Raji Fashola who was the poster boy of the APC. The million Naira question now is: “Has Ambode got the capacity now?”

    This question is pertinent now because what Banire did in 2014 he has started re-enacting in 2017 like an ugly coin. He has gone to town again, sponsoring miscreants aimed at rubbishing the recently held APC primaries in the state. The good people of Lagos should therefore, be mindful  of the man who says one thing in the night and denies so at dawn.

    As Nigeria’s democracy evolves we should be wary of the Judas Iscariot amongst us. We should learn lessons from Marcus Brutus,  a Roman senator,  who joined a plot to oust Caesar from power.  Another person is Benedict Arnold. At the start of the American War of Independence, Benedict Arnold was an American hero, a brilliant general who fought bravely in several tough battles. But by the end of the war, he was commanding British troops against his former forces, a general on the losing side who has gone down in history as a “turncoat” and a traitor.

    With events unfolding and 2019 inching closer, Lagosians should be careful of those who have never stood for any elective post  but angling to be a serial spoiler.

     

    • Olatunde Fashakin,

    Oshodi , Lagos.

  • Ambode suspends Monarch for faking kidnap

    Ambode suspends Monarch for faking kidnap

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday approved the immediate suspension of the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, Chief Yusuf Ogundare for allegedly faking his kidnap  on July 5, 2017.

    Chief Ogundare was reportedly kidnapped on July 5 by some unknown gunmen.

    In a memo with reference number OLGAS.83/S./Vol.1 dated July 13, 2017 addressed to the Sole Administrator of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA and signed by the State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon Teslim Folami, Governor Ambode directed Ogundare to stop parading himself henceforth as the Baale of the community till further notice.

    According to the memo, Folami wrote: “I am directed to convey the approval of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the suspension of Chief Yusuf Ogundare, Baale of Shangisha with immediate effect in accordance with Section 38 subsection 1 of the Obas and Chiefs Laws of Lagos State which states that “the Governor may suspend or depose any Oba or chief whether appointed or after commencement of this law, if he is satisfied that such suspension of disposition is required according to customary law or is necessary in the interest of peace and good government.

    “You are to communicate the decision to the chieftain to stop parading himself as Baale of Shangisha with immediate effect,” Folami said.

    Ogundare’s suspension was approved by the Governor moments after the Lagos State Police Command paraded him alongside his younger brother, Mohammed Adams for allegedly conspiring to fake the alleged kidnap.

    Adams, on the fateful day, reported the alleged kidnap incidence to the police.

    Speaking while parading the two suspects, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni said the Command on July 5 received the report of Ogundare’s alleged kidnap, and immediately swung into action in collaboration with other security agencies especially the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Owoseni said luck however ran out on Ogundare when he was apprehended by men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Alausa area of the State on July 11 after he was dropped in a suspicious manner by a car which sped off immediately.

    Giving details of how Ogundare was apprehended, Owoseni said: “On July 11 at about 10pm, a team of RRS patrol officers working around Alausa had sighted a vehicle drop a male adult in a suspicious manner close by Shoprite along the Secretariat road. The speed with which that car drove off attracted them to that spot and fortunately before they got to the spot, the car had taken off and a quick enquiry revealed that it was the Baale that was allegedly kidnapped.

    “Immediately after Ogundare was being debriefed, he sold a dummy that the kidnappers dropped him off but unknowingly to him, it had been found out that on the 5th of July, the day he was allegedly kidnapped in Lagos, investigation had revealed that he was driving around in Ibadan around Ashi; he went to Ilorin, he went to Iwo, he was just on a frolic.

    “And unknowingly to him as well that because of information that had gotten to security services that his younger brother and his wife were being questioned and were actually in custody because of some discrepancies that were noticed in the interaction they had with security agencies, and in furtherance of the synergy existing between the Police and DSS, we jointly compared notes and our findings were such that the act of the chief was despicable and amounted to crying wolf where there is none,” Owoseni said.

    He said while making reports, Adams had told security agencies that he was with the Baale at CMD Hotel when some people who claimed they wanted to buy land whisked them away and later dropped him, but investigation revealed that he (Adams) was not at any time in the hotel with the Baale but was only at the restaurant of the hotel, and after some minutes, he left, and the wife of the Baale actually drove the Venza car allegedly used to abduct the supposed victim into the hotel.

    The CP added that after the suspects were confronted with the indisputable facts, they had no choice than to confess faking the kidnap.

    The CP said immediately after Ogundare was allegedly kidnapped, Adams went to the community and called the town crier to order the whole community to close shops and markets should not open, an action aimed at inciting members of the community against the State Government.

    He said the objective of the suspects was to falsely accuse the Oba of Shangisha as the brain behind the kidnapping, which they indeed did, as a vengeance to him being installed the Oba instead of Ogundare, and also embarrassed the State Government and as well as security agencies for arresting him (Ogundare) when he falsely displayed the plate number of Oba of Shangisha on his car.

     

  • Only 600,000 pay tax in Lagos, says Ambode

    Only 600,000 pay tax in Lagos, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said the residents need to adopt a wilful approach to the payment of taxes to address fundamental challenges confronting the state and accelerate development.

    The governor spoke at a workshop on this year’s Water Technology and Environmental Control Exhibition and Conference (WATEC) in Ikeja, the state capital.

    He said out of the 22 million residents in the state, only 600,000 paid their taxes.

    Ambode said such attitude was not helpful to scaling up the provision of infrastructure and other amenities across the state.

    Responding to a suggestion  that the state government should complete the shoreline protection, particularly in Lekki and Ajah to mitigate the impact of torrential rainfalls causing floods in the areas, Ambode said government’s plan was being inhibited by its limited resources.

    He said: “Talking about protecting our shoreline, I want to tell you something. The Ecological Fund that someone talked about does not exist because the previous government, due to political consideration, never gave Lagos anything. Protecting the shoreline runs into billions.

    “Disallowing the water to break cost a lot of money. Then, with frozen taxes in the last eight to 10 years, there has not been any increase in taxes..”

  • Ambode orders contractors to hasten work on model colleges

    Ambode orders contractors to hasten work on model colleges

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday ordered contractors handling the construction of model colleges across the state to speed up work and deliver on schedule.

    The governor spoke after inspecting the level of work at Angus Memorial High School, Shomolu; Lagos City Senior College, Yaba and Awori Senior College, Ojo.

    He stated this through Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who led top government officials on the tour.

    Ambode recalled that at the end of last year, the state executive council approved N10billion for the rehabilitation of existing schools as well as the construction of eight new ones, including three model colleges to boost students’ learning experience.

    Expressing disappointment over the slow pace of work on the new Model College in Awori, the governor ordered the contractor to work round the clock to meet up with the delivery time.

    “I must say I am not particularly happy with the pace of work (in Awori). We have been to other two project sites approved alongside this project and work has progressed pretty well in those places.

    “The essence of our going round today is to see the level of work in the sites without relying solely on the reports on paper and obviously, we can see what they have done so far.

    “I will be back again in the next one month to assess progress of work. I hope the contractor at Awori will improve on the pace of work because they have been mobilised. Having been mobilised, they should do what is expected of them,” he said.

    Ambode, who also commissioned the ultra-modern Herbert Macaulay Library in Yaba, said the facility would go a long way to improve reading culture in the state.

    While thanking GTBank for partnering the state to remodel the facility, the governor urged other corporate organisations to take a cue and invest in the education sector.

    “On behalf of Governor Ambode, I want to thank GTB for adopting the library and for the transformation work you have done. In the Ministry of Education, we appreciate the work the bank is doing particularly with the Principal’s Cup and today, we are here to commission the library.

    “For us in the State, we believe strongly that by doing this, we are returning this library to the general public. It has been a very historic library in the state and with the transformation that has been done, I have no doubt that this library will be assuming a landmark position where all kinds of people can come here to enjoy the benefit. We have the e-library and other facilities here,” Adebule said.

    The governor also appreciated the Herbert Macaulay family for being part of the transformation, and assured that the government would continue to uphold the glory of the library.

    Earlier, Managing Director of GTBank, Segun Agbaje said the decision to partner with the state Government to remodel the library under the Adopt-A-Library Initiative was to contribute its quota to enhance the education sector.

    He expressed optimism that with the facilities embedded in the library, residents of the state can gain access to a wide range of educational and historical materials to enhance their reading knowledge.

    Among the features of the library include a room dedicated to historical artefacts -including some relating to the life and times of Herbert Macaulay -, an innovation hub that will serve as a Coding Centre, a lounge/café area, a reading area with updated books and an e-library section, wheelchair accessible ramps and a finished courtyard area, among others.

     

  • Abule-Egba Bridge: Ambode, LASTMA honoured

    Abule-Egba Bridge: Ambode, LASTMA honoured

    Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Chief Executive of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Chris Olakpe, (rtd), LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Maruf Musa and 87 officers of the agency were presented with various awards by the Social Reformers Club, Ojokoro, in commemoration of the construction of the Abule-Egba Jubilee Bridge and the efficient traffic control throughout the eight months the construction of the bridge lasted.

    At the event, which held at the club’s house, its President, Dr Dayo Folorunso said the awards were the club’s way of appreciating the governor for turning the semi-urban area to an enviable environment.

    While Governor Ambode got the “Exemplary Leadership and Commitment to Excellence Award, LASTMA organisation won a Corporate Award, while the 87 officers and men of the agency were presented with Individual certificate for Outstanding Performance. Olakpe and Musa were presented with Special Appreciation Certificates.

    Folorunso, who was represented by a member of the club’s Board of Trustees Hon. Ipoola Omisore said the bridge, which was completed in record time, has tremendously improved traffic bottlenecks in the area.

    “We had thought we had an action governor before, but Ambode has shown us that we haven’t seen anything yet,” he said.

    Omisore, former two-term member of the House of Assembly, said the club is equally honouring officers and men of LASTMA for keeping faith with the government by keeping the traffic moving throughout the period the construction of the bridge lasted.

    “The men suffered day and night to reduce the pains of residents of this area while the Abeokuta Expressway was closed and traffic diverted to neighbouring roads,” he said.

    Chairman of the club’s BoT, Mr Dele Ajikanju praised Ambode for the enviable reform in LASTMA. He said for the period the agency took charge of the road, its men were “epitome of excellence, honesty and integrity”.

    Responding on behalf of the agency, LASTMA’s Lagos Area Controller (Lagos West 1), Mr Joan Adeola commended the club for rewarding its men.

    “The award is coming at a time we are not looking forward to any reward. So, I assure you that this award would spur us into doubling our efforts to removing impediments and ensuring free flow of traffic,” Adeola said.

    He, however, urged road users to do their best in contributing to free flow of traffic by ensuring that they refrain from acts that might put them in the wrong side of the law. He said LASTMA has been able to prove that it can bark and bite and would continue to enforce traffic laws without minding whose ox is gored.

    Adeola later received the award on behalf of the governor, and also collected the special recognition award presented to the Chief Executive of the agency Chris Olakpe. The Zonal Head of the agency for Abule-Egba, Akeem Padmos, received the certificate presented to the agency’s General Manager.

    Padmos and two other officers, Felix Olatunji and Jonathan Arewa also received Officers’ recognition Award from the club, while the remaining men of the agency got their certificates at the event.

    Present at the event were the Baale of New Oko-Oba, Chief Omololu Pedro, the Area Commander of Area G, Mr Makinde Olutosin, Mr Ayodele Babalola, Femi Komolafe and other members of the club.

  • Ambode wants contractors to expedite work on new model colleges

    Ambode wants contractors to expedite work on new model colleges

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday ordered contractors handling the ongoing construction of new model colleges across the state to expedite work on the projects.

    The governor gave the directive after inspecting work in the three new model colleges – Angus Memorial High School, Shomolu; Lagos City Senior College, Yaba and Awori Senior College, Ojo.

    Speaking through the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Ambode recalled that at the end of last year, the State Executive Council approved N10billion for the rehabilitation of existing schools and construction of eight new ones, including three model colleges, to boost learning in the state.

    He told the contractors working on the projects to speed up works and ensure that the jobs are delivered on schedule.

    The governor, who expressed disappointment at the pace of work on the new Model College in Awori, ordered the contractor to work round the clock to meet up with the delivery time.

    He said: “I must say I am not particularly happy with the pace of work in Awori. We have been to other two project sites approved alongside this project and work has progressed pretty well in those places.

    “The essence of our going round today is to see the level of work in the sites without relying solely on the reports on paper and obviously, we can see what they have done so far.

    “I will be back again in the next one month to assess progress of work. I hope the contractor at Awori will improve on the pace of work because they have been mobilized. Having been mobilized, they should do what is expected of them.”

    Ambode, who also commissioned the ultra- modern Herbert Macaulay Library in Yaba, said the facility would go a long way in improving the reading culture in the state.

    “For us in the state, we believe strongly that by doing this, we are returning this library back to the general public. It has been a very historic library in the state and with the transformation that has been done, I have no doubt that this library will be assuming a landmark position where all kinds of people can come here to enjoy the benefit. We have the e-library and other facilities here,” the governor added.

  • Ambode: Lagos‘ll enhance laws to fight flood

    Ambode: Lagos‘ll enhance laws to fight flood

    Last weekend’s flooding of Ikoyi, Victioria Island, Lekki and environs has shown that the Lagos State government must step up its enforcement of physical planning laws, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    Speaking at the Water Technology and Environmental Control Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, Ambode said the government would reinvigorate the campaign against the dumping of refuse into canals.

    “We will be stronger in enforcing our physical planning laws especially those building illegally on canals and blocking the free flow of water across the state.

    “For the past few days, the state, and indeed most parts of the country, have witnessed torrential rainfall which is quite unprecedented. We have witnessed our most prime estates flooded with water, we have seen our roads taken over by floods, and we have painfully watched how many homesteads have literally become pools.

    “These indeed are trying times for any government, especially our own administration which has determinedly pursued massive infrastructural development to improve standards of living of our citizenry,” the governor said.”

    Ambode said the canals and drains must be reviewed to re-envision the water management system.

    “So, in effect, what we should immediately pursue is a holistic solution to what is certain to be a recurring problem. It must be a sincere collaboration between government and the citizenry,” he said.

    Ambode said flooding was not peculiar to Nigeria, nor he Third World, noting that the United Kingdom was heavily flooded this year.

    “Japan, a country that is equally technologically savvy has also not been spared heavy flooding this year. No matter how well a society may be prepared, we can never rule out the element of the natural or if you like, the supernatural. This is why Lagos State, and indeed Nigeria fully subscribes to the tenets of Climate Change Solutions by the United Nations.

    “While all the aforementioned examples enjoin us to put our experience and pains into perspective, they also impress on us as a state and a government that we must learn from all these examples in order to better prepare for the future.

     

  • Ambode lauds Zenith Bank’s corporate citizenship

    Ambode lauds Zenith Bank’s corporate citizenship

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has lauded the Management of Zenith Bank Plc on its commitment to corporate citizenship initiatives.

    The governor gave the commendation at the inauguration of the Serenity Park and Gardens – a corporate social responsibility project undertaken by Zenith Bank Plc in collaboration with Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA)— at the Eko Hotel Roundabout, Victoria Island, Lagos at the weekend.

    Ambode, who was represented by Commissioner for the Environment Dr. Babatunde Adejare, commended the bank for reconstructing the lay bys and improving the aesthetics of the Ajose Adeogun/Eko Hotel environs.

    The reconstruction of the Ajose Adeogun Street has remained a role model for good corporate citizenship in the country, in addition to the annual decoration and light-up of the street at Christmas season.

    Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo, said the bank remained committed to supporting and partnering the government’s vision and efforts to make the state a mega city in furtherance of its disposition to support a state that has been so conducive for the pursuit of enterprise.

    Sole Administrator of Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, expressed delight that the project, which will serve as a relaxation and fun spot, was undertaken during her tenure. She commended the bank for collaborating with her administration and urged the in coming administration to give priority to the maintenance of the facility.

  • ‘Elected chairmen ‘ll complement Ambode’s achievements at grassroots’

    ‘Elected chairmen ‘ll complement Ambode’s achievements at grassroots’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Hon. Adebowale Collins is the Patron of Liberal Minds Grassroots Forum in Lagos State. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the recent councillorship and chairmanship primaries and preparations for the local council polls.

    Lagosians are warming up for the local government elections. What are your expectations?                                      

    I believe that it is going to come out well. But, there are some interests and issues the party and its members need to address. People are ready for the local government elections on July 22. But, there are some issues that need clarifications. Today, we still don’t have the final list of candidates. People are brandishing all kinds of names. But, our party has not released the final list of candidates who will be running in few weeks time.

    But, the party said the list will be out after the conclusion of screening by the LASIEC…

    Yes, normally, by now, the list should have been out. And campaigns should have been started and candidates would have been reaching out to voters to vote for them. They would need three or four weeks to do it. Election is a battle. There are some people that are agitating. They believe that they are the ones that should represent their areas. You are right to an extent. But, the time is very short. People need clarification.

    Is the list not partially out, in view of the fact that 18 chairmanship candidates are being returned unopposed?

    Even with that statement, we have conflicting information. I believe that among the 18, may be, some of them may be substituted. There are rumours. That’s why we need clarifications. Even with that in place, nothing is automatic really. We have heard that some will get a second term. Until the list is out, everything is still speculative. Until our party comes out a list I can read and verify, I am still a little bit on the sideline on who will actually come out on the final list.

    Does this scenario not suggestive of post-primary crisis?

    To an extent. There are areas that have issues, not all the local government have issues. Not all of them have peculiar problems. But, there are quite a number of them that have unresolved issues. I will not use the word crisis. It is a little bit heavy. It is a bit of exaggeration. There are areas where the candidates have no problem. There are some areas where some of the candidates are not popular as some might think. We need to address that because at the end of the day, the voice of the people needs to be heard. That’s why I believe that our party should address these concerns.

    What’s your assessment of the entire selection process?

    My personal opinion is that it could have been done more constructively. The setting was definitely not good. The security provided at the venue was not adequate. They should have been a little bit more transparent. When people engage in a democratic process, they need to be heard. The procedure in some areas could have been better than that.

    Why did the aggrieved aspirants not make use of the opportunity provided by the Appeal Panel headed by Otunba Olufemi Pedro?

    Because by doing that, some of them thought they will be giving legitimacy to something that was not properly handled. For example, in Lagos Mainland, some candidates raised issues about the procedure. They said they did not know the delegates used. The information was not freely shared. Some raised the allegation that some people claimed they were the anointed candidate. You hear all these things during primaries. People peddle rumours. They used the names of people as launching pads to intimidate other candidates. Even, they coerce people to drop their ambition. So, when you have two or three names floating around, that this person is the chairman, that person is the chairman, they start peddling the rumour that a particular person has been endorsed from the top. It makes the environment tense. The issue right now is to address those concerns and make sure that the people’s candidate should emerge. If someone is popular and he can win and we can keep that local government, the party should nominate the person. If the primary is transparent, the candidate will carry along the co-contestants and promote team spirit and prepare for the main election. We should harmonise and work together as one party. The grievances and issues need to be addressed in a judicious manner.

    Is the brewing tension not also a function of communication gap between the party leadership and the bulk of aspirants and party followers?

    That’s a good and very interesting question. Some people believe that the process has been tainted. Some people believe that they were not given a fair chance when they showed interest. You have supporters agitating that the so-called anointed candidates are not popular. So, we have to listen to the pulse; the heartbeat of our people. We have to look at it prudently; we have to look at it very well. The timing is ripe for us to address the issues in those few areas that are heating up our system right now. Until a very clear mandate is given to a popular candidate to represent the party, the tension will still be there.

    In particular, what are the grievances been expressed in your own local government?

    In my area, one of the issue is the winner-takes-all mentality. We all belong to one party. We are one big family. A handful of people are the ones are dominating Mainland politics. So, in a situation like that, I think our leaders need to call stakeholders together and forge unity so that we can have an inclusive approach, instead of being sectional. After 17 years of the democratic dispensation, we can never afford to have a system that leave some people behind. People feel that, as a party, we have grown to a stage where we need young people with energy and vigour, fresh mind, and an inclusive party. In the midst of this, we need to address everybody’s issues, questions and interests. There should be no winner-takes-all.

    Unlike before, is it not curious that, despite these grievances, there have been no defections from the APC to other parties?

    The people truly believe in the manifesto of the APC. I am a loyal party member. I believe in the party. I may voice out one or two issues. I believe that is the beauty of democracy. There are some grievances. I believe some of them are valid points. But, when people feel that there is no hope or when people left out, it can happen when people looks at the alternative approach. That’s when defection or inter-party activity can occur. But, we are not close to it, if it is handled properly. I will hate to experience what happened to us in Mushin where Kako Are defeated us because he was a popular and a grassroots man. People are enlightened now. He went to the Accord Party and won. We should address these issues and whoever can deliver should be given the opportunity. We need an inclusive arrangement where there will be harmonisation.

    How can the party avert the 2015 scenario whereby it lost some seats to the opposition?

    As a party, we are mature. Our leaders are leaders of integrity. They are good leaders. The leaders need to listen more to the youths. The youths are a bit more structured now. With the social media, there is information flow. There is generational issue. We should address the issue of people that are left out so that we don’t have that experience again. Lagos State is working. Governor Ambode is doing a fantastic job. The governor’s performance has given people hope. People who truly want to serve believe that they can work with him at the grassroots.

    Would you call for a poll postponement so that the party can address these issues and prepare for the election better?

    Time is very important. People have been waiting. The masses have been waiting to exercise their right to choose leaders to run the affairs of their local governments. People feel that the caretakers have actually overstayed their welcome. They want to have an election. They want to have their own local government chairmen and councilors. I won’t call for an extension of the date. But, if our leaders feel like it is in the best interest of the party and for peace to reign, I will definitely support it. But, if the party responds to the concerns of the aspirants and candidates, we can resolve them amicably.

    What’s is your advice to Lagosians as they prepare for the elections?

    Our party will do well. The APC is the party of the day. We believe in the mandate of change. Anybody that lives in Lagos can see the change. Lagos is working. Lagos is the pacesetter for Nigeria. If we have the right people at the local government, the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will be more noticeable at the grassroots. As the patron of the Liberal Minds Grassroots Forum, Lagos is on the right track. Ambode has demonstrated that, truly, government can work. The people looks forward to a peaceful election. They are ready for the election.