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Tag: Ashafa

  • Ashafa bows out of Lagos senatorial race

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) said yesterday he has decided to “sacrifice” his ambition for the unity and continuity of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    With the decision, the senator said: “I hereby release my unopposed ticket to the leadership of the party in Lagos State.”

    In a statement, Ashafa said: “Over the past seven years and a half years, I have enjoyed the mandate and support of both the leadership and the members of our party to serve as the senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District. This is a mandate that I have held with the utmost responsibility, which such high office entails.

    “In this period of time, in line with the progressive ideology of our party, I have been able to build on the reputation of excellent representation that has become synonymous with Lagos East flowing directly from the standard set for me by my predecessors in office. I have endeavoured to distinguish myself among my colleagues in order to ensure that my representation would be both a source of pride to you and to attract value to our district, state and nation as a whole.

    “The events of the past few weeks in the build up to the senatorial primaries of our party in Lagos East have led to quite a level of apprehension within the district.

    “In the light of the foregoing, and upon due consultation with party leaders and relevant stakeholders, I believe that the time has come for me to sacrifice my ambition for the unity and continuity of our party at the senatorial level and across all elective offices. Hence, I hereby release my unopposed ticket to the leadership of the party in Lagos State.

    “To this end, I would like to appreciate the leadership of our party at the state and national levels, our members and constituents alike for the opportunity afforded me to serve. This is an opportunity that I do not take lightly or for granted. I would also like to appreciate the magnanimity and generosity of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards me throughout this journey.

    “Consequently, I urge all my followers and supporters across the district to support all the candidates of our party the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole in the forthcoming elections in 2019. I remain committed to the principles and ideals of our party and will continue to contribute my quota in service to both our party and the Nation. I stand with APC!”

  • Tinubu, Adeola retain Lagos senatorial tickets as Ashafa loses

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) has lost his bid to return to the red chamber in 2019.

    He was defeated by a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bayo Oshinowo.

    According to the results announced by the APC National Electoral Committee Chairman for National and State Assembly, Mr Lucky Imasuen at the APC Secretariat Ikeja, yesterday, Oshinowo polled 247,743 to beat Ashafa who scored a paltry 20,385 votes.

    Imasuen announced Senator Oluremi Tinubu was returned unopposed. She cleared all the 86, 494 votes cast at the primary.

    Senator Solomon Adeola was declared winner in Lagos West. The incumbent scored 378, 906 votes to defeat Kayode Opeifa who polled 1,179 and Are-Ago Olapade 1,275.

    Imasuen also disclosed that the results of the primaries for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly were ready.

    He said they will be released very soon.

     

  • Ashafa sues for peace in Lagos East

    •Senator urges aspirant to tow party line

    The senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, has urged a senatorial aspirant for his seat in the National Assembly and member of the state House of Assembly, Bayo Osinowo, to abide by the decision of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the senatorial ticket.

    In a statement yesterday, Ashafa said: “In light of the wide spread reports of violence at the Kosofe axis of Lagos East Senatorial District during the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives and affirmation process for the senators in Lagos State being returned unopposed, Senator Gbenga Ashafa has called on Honourable Bayo Osinowo (aka Pepper) to sheathe his sword and call the thugs purportedly working for him to order.

    “Following the official communication by the National Working Committee of the APC that only Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa and Solomon Olamilekan have been cleared to contest the senatorial elections unopposed, it would have been expected of Osinowo to respect the position of the party by supporting the candidate recognised by the party. This was the case with Kayode Opeifa, who also aspired for the Lagos West Senatorial ticket but has since withdrawn from the race, following the decision of the party to return the incumbent senators unopposed.”

     

     

  • Ashafa seeks APC members’ support at primary

    SENATOR Gbenga Ashafa said yesterday that he is ready recontest for the Lagos East in the 2019 election.

    He urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) members to defend their votes at the primary.

    Speaking at a conference attended by members of the Lagos East APC, he said there were important issues concerning Lagos that needed to be logically concluded.

    He said the special status for Lagos initiated by Senator Oluremi Tinubu was already enjoying the support of his colleagues at the National Assembly.

    Ashafa said it was important to follow it to a logical conclusion, noting that his good relationship with colleagues across different parts of the country had helped in gaining support for the issue.

    The senator said: “You will agree with me that our district currently stands tall on the legislative precedents that have been laid down by the succession of senators that have represented us since 1999.

    “It is a legacy of excellence, which the Lagos East District has worked hard to maintain and improve upon. Nothing short of excellence is expected and nothing short of excellence is deserved by the resilient, industrious and hardworking people of Lagos East.

    “In the last seven years, through your supports, I have been able to deliver 96 per cent verifiable and functional projects, 26 bills and 12 motions of local and national importance. We have been able to deliver poverty alleviation programmes that have benefitted 50,000 of our constituents directly and even more.”

    The senator urged the people to vote him at the APC primary, noting that he was the candidate to beat at the shadow polls.

    “I will contest in the primary scheduled for October 2, cast your vote for me and defend it. We need to prove to the world that power has returned to the people.

    “Politically, we have remained one. We have remained resolutely committed to the progressives and democratic ideals of our National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and our great party the APC.

    Also speaking, Lagos East APC leader Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun said the party should support its present senators, adding that Ashafa and his colleagues had done well.

    He said: “The party cannot afford to deny senators who are presently making huge contributions at the National Assembly. We need Senator Ashafa at the National Assembly.”

  • Ambode, Ashafa pick nomination forms

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged Lagosians to support him as he seeks re-election.

    Ambode, who yesterday picked the nomination form in Abuja, spoke at a reception organised for him by loyalists and supporters in Alausa, Ikeja.

    He thanked residents for believing in him and supporting him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the last three and a half years.

    The governor urged them to sustain the support “in the journey ahead and together, let’s achieve more.”

    He thanked “all members of our great party, the APC, our political leaders, most especially our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for giving me the platform to contribute to the further growth and development of our state.”

    The Chairman of Conference 57, Mrs. Omolola Eze, who spoke on behalf of chairmen of local governments and local council development areas, said: “We all have work to do at the councils as Governor Ambode goes for second term. We need to support him.”

    An APC leader, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, said: “We have all awaited this day. Governor Ambode has done so much and we have to go now to our areas to continue the mobilisation and sensitisation.”

    Among the APC leaders and members present at the event were Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule, Secretary to the State Government Tunji Bello, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, members of the House of Assembly, members of the state Executive Council, local council chairmen, among others.

    The lawmaker representing Lagos East, Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa, yesterday obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms for the APC primaries scheduled to hold on September 26.

    He was accompanied to the national secretariat of APC in Abuja by party leaders from Lagos East, supporters, family, relations, friends and well-wishers.                                                          Ashafa said: “I urge you all to be responsive to this great power you hold, the power of choice. To be able to choose is a power so great that the consequences of its use, or misuse, are always life-changing and defining. Year after year, since 2011, I have kept faith with you as your senator in the 7th and 8th sessions of the National Assembly. Through your contributions at our town hall meetings and constituency outreaches, you have also kept faith by showing support and offering constructive criticisms, which have helped to make me a better lawmaker and also make Lagos East a shining example of what it means to have a responsive senator.”

  • We’ll return Ashafa over rail lines strides

    DEFECTIONS will come and go, but a completed railway line by a committed administration endureth forever.” These were the words of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria during a recent visit to Lagos State.

    With those words, the Vice President had further alluded to the key and very strategic roles that Senator Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, played, and is still playing as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport at the red chamber.

    Fondly called the ‘Rail Man’s by his colleagues, largely because of the incredible legislative support he continues to give the executive arm of the Nigerian government in its bid to turn around the rail sector across Nigeria, Senator Ashafa led the passage of the Nigerian Railway Bill of 2016, National Transport Commission Bill and the Labour Transportation Bill which seek to breakdown the railway sector into the regulatory and operations component, in-line with international best practice, and more importantly to create a level playing field for private sector participation.

    As a result of these giant legislative strides by our distinguished Senator, works had already commenced on Lagos to Ibadan segment of Lagos to Kano Standard Guage Rail System. In the same token, work had begun on Calabar to Port-Harcourt segment of Calabar to Lagos Standard Guage Railways.

    Already approved is also the new Standard Guage Rail line from Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri passing through Enugu, Lafia, Makurdi, Gombe with branch lines to Owerri, Onitsha, Awka, Abakaliki, Yola, Jalingo and Damaturu, amongst other projects.

    Thank you so much Senator Gbenga Ashafa for these great works. We do not regret returning you in 2015. We are much ready to return you again in 2019. You are indeed the Primus interpares!

    • Lawal writes from Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

  • Lagos-Ibadan rail: December deadline not feasible, says Ashafa

    The Chairman of Senate Committee on Land Transport, Gbenga Ashafa, yesterday expressd doubts about the delivery of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line by December.

    Ashafa spoke when he led members of Land Transport in the Senate and House of Representatives on an oversight function.

    Other lawmakers on the team are: Senator Lanre Tejuoso and the Chairman of the House Committee on Land Transport, Aminu Sani Isa.

    Ashafa expressed satisfaction at the pace of work, saying the pace showed that the contractor was determined to deliver on schedule.

    Addressing reporters after the inspection, the Lagos East senator noted that though his committee was satisfied with the level of work on the project, he doubted if it could be delivered on schedule.

    He added that the project was about 70 per cent completed.

    According to him, the contractor requested an extension of the deadline, hinging the requests on some challenges on the project’s corridor.

    Quoting the contractor, Ashafa listed some of the challenges as encumbrances on the right of way on the Lagos corridor, such as the relocation of water pipelines, bridges and the relocation of the railway station proposed for Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    He said: “While we would hasten to urge the contractor to adhere to the deadline, we would want to say that they should let the Nigerian government know on time if they would need more time to deliver on this project.”

    The senator said he and his team were happy with the level of progress on the project, adding: “Even if what we have seen here 0- from Lagos up to Ibadan – is what this government was able to showcase before December, Nigerians would know that the government is committed to bequeathing to them a modern rail system.”

    Also, Isa said the oversight visit was to avail Nigerians an opportunity of verifying that the work rate matched government’s disbursements.

    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, said the Federal Government was committed to delivering the project by December.

    He added: “With the rate at which the contractor is going, we are sure that it could still be completed on schedule or within a month or two more months, nonetheless. The major issues are civil works, as the track-laying can be completed within a month or two.”

  • Ashafa condoles with fire victims

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa has commiserated with victims of the Thursday tanker fire inferno in Lagos.

    In a statement yesterday, he said, “I empathise with everyone who may have lost properties or family members through this unfortunate accident.” He lauded the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their swift and highly professional response to the distress call.

    He also lauded the resolve of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to “ensure that the tanker and trailer drivers operating within Lagos State do so within the bounds of the law and with utmost safety in mind,” but regrets that the operators have failed to adhere to the safety requirements of the law.

    He recalled that his first motion as the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in 2015 was on the issue of “Fuel tanker tragedies on Nigeria’s highways”, which led the Senate to call on the federal government and NNPC to take all measures to prevent future occurrences.

    He said such avoidable tragedies are not acceptable and called on all the relevant agencies of government, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the government of Lagos State to investigate the incident and that anyone found guilty of any act of negligence is made to face the full force of the law.

  • Constructive criticism good for democracy, says Ashafa

    Nigerians must unite to frustrate agent provocateur, Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa, has said.

    The senator representing Lagos East gave the advice in his Democracy Day statement.

    He said: “We must, therefore, come together to ensure that there is no hiding place for criminals seeking to destabilise this country through bloodletting and violence.”

    The statement reads: “As we mark the 2018 Democracy Day of our dear country Nigeria and the third year anniversary of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, I would like to thank all Nigerians for your support this far.

    “Your constructive criticisms, your alternative opinions and your support for the institutions and policies of government have served as the needed impetus to those of us in government to do more.

    “In the past three years, the Buhari/Osinbajo-led government has reconstructed a foundation of socio-economic growth and development founded on the ideals of our constitution (Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress) and the ideals of our party.

    “We are gradually beginning to experience prudence and attitudinal change in public service, a stiff fight against corruption, massive infrastructural development particularly in the areas of rails, roads, power and housing.

    “There is also a sincere battle against insecurity and a commitment to creating a country that holds the promise of a secure future for our teeming young population.

    “In this final lap of this administration’s first term, I think it would be wise for Nigerians to realise that democracy is founded on people-representation and a balance of opinion on one hand as well as establishment of strong institutions on the other.

    “In essence, we must continue to engender the national conversation with a view to ensuring that our aggregate opinions are always represented and the sanctity our national institutions are always protected. The key to this is participation.

    “Consequently, as we gravitate towards the political season, I urge all Nigerians to participate actively in the entire process. Please, be reminded that participation is as much a duty as it is a right. We must, therefore, all be interested in ensuring that the solid foundations built by this administration are consolidated upon.

    “As I conclude, I urge all Nigerians to remember that sustainable development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace.”

  • Amosun, Kalu, Ashafa seek prayer for Nigeria

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Abia State Governor Dr Orji Kalu and Senator Gbenga Ashafa yesterday urged the Muslim ummah to use the Holy month of Ramadan to offer prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria.

    According to them, the teachings of the Holy Quran and qualities of Prophet Muhammed should be emulated by the faithful beyond the Ramadan.

    Amosun, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, enjoined Muslims to use the period of the holy month to engage in sober reflection and absolute return to Allah.

    The governor said they should not see the month as one of mere mandatory prayer, fasting and Iftar meals, but engage in total abstinence, probing soul-searching, sincere repentance and infinite atonement.

    Amosun said: “This period in our nation calls for our collective and individual prayers for the fulfilment of our aspirations and desires as a country and as citizens.

    “We must use this holy month, like never before, to ensure that we are truly sober and holy in observing all that is expected of us. By doing this, Allah, in his faithfulness, will accept our sacrifices and answer our prayers.”

    Kalu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Alhaji Kunle Oyewumi, called for religious tolerance and mutual respect among religious bodies.

    He said: “Ramadan is a season of spiritual rebirth and self-appraisal in the service of God and humanity. This period should be used to offer prayers for the nation. The acts of piety, forgiveness, selflessness and togetherness should be demonstrated and upheld in this holy month and beyond.”

    Ashafa said:  “The period of Ramadan teaches us self-control, self-restraint, tolerance for one another irrespective of religion or tribe. It is also a month for extreme prayers, love and generosity.”

    He urged Muslims to remember the areas that are experiencing challenges across the country in their prayers.

    “While using this period to share love, forgive and reflect spiritually, I implore us all to pray for the continued peace and prosperity of our country,” he said.