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Tag: Jimi Agbaje

  • PDP now know how to win elections in Lagos – Busari

    Yemisi Busari is the running mate of Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship candidate for Lagos State. The amazon who is a lawyer has been in the corporate world for about three decades. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her expectations, role of women in politics and more. Excerpts.

    In the recent American elections, the women did very well. Are you seeing the same thing happening to Nigerian women in the next elections?

    It’s difficult to say because our societies are different. Our societies are different and the way we do things are different but one thing that I would say is that Nigeria is also coming of age in terms of grooming, presentation and everything. In politics and in the corporate world, you find that more and more, we are able to hold our own. We have very strong women in politics and what you find again is that when women believe in something, and they are passionate about something, they do a very good job of it. Women are generally able to multi task’; they are focussed and talented. Women are also generally more loyal and committed to something that they are passionate about. Also, you find that they excel because of that in whatever field that they have chosen.

    Violence is something that is part of politics that draws a lot of women away. Does it scare you at all?

    Well, we do not play politics of violence and we do not intend to encourage it. Am I scared? Anybody would move away from anything that will cause damage or harm to them. The way we behave and the kind of politics that we run, there is no bitterness, there is no acrimony. There is no violence and this will reflect in the way that we have comported ourselves. There is a picture of all four of us; my principal, myself and the other two on the other side at a function. And the photographs were engineered by us because we walked up to them, to greet them. I didn’t know them and I was being introduced to them by my principal and pictures were taken to show that it is not a do-or-die thing. If we believe in some things, we would do them and we would still live together in the society. So, we need to be mindful of that as politicians; that we would still live together.

     When they first approached you to contest as deputy governor, how did you feel?

    I actually thought that this must be God’s doing because I have had my passions and I have always thought of how can I impact on lives. I have always tried to see how I could change things. So, when this came, I said ‘okay is this God’s way of telling me this is the platform for you? This is something you have always wanted to do.’ So, that was my reaction and I went back into myself and I prayed about it, asking if this was the platform for the passion that I had always had about not maintaining the status quo.

    Talking about your passion, what are some of the things that you have done in terms of impacting lives and leadership?

    In terms of impacting others, I would like to keep that private because it is about the charitable things that I do. That is my way of giving back to society and showing gratitude to my creator. But, I would talk about the leadership things that I have done. In terms of leadership, I have been in the corporate world in the last thirty years and I have been part of the team that mentors people. I also counsel young people and I assist people to determine what it is that they want to do with their lives.

    I help them put in building blocks that allow them do this. This is because, sometimes, you come across people that are actually confused; who don’t even know what they want to do. So, that is the role that I play. I enjoy it, I sit down with people and so generally those are the kinds of things that I have done. However, as a leader in terms of the role that I have held in the different functions that I have found myself and how I have held myself accountable to these roles and all.

    I have always worked with a team, I am a team player. But I have always been very strict on my deliverables and people who have worked with me know. I run a very friendly team but when it comes to work, I run a tight schedule. My deliverables are clear and I will give you everything that you require to deliver and so I expect the objectives that we have agreed on from the beginning. That is how I run my thing.

    Would you say life has been a smooth journey?

    I don’t think that there is anybody who would say that life has been smooth. There are usually ups and downs for everybody. I think that the important thing is how have you dealt with it? Have you been the type that sits back, cries or folds your arms? Or are you the type that falls and falls and gets up; and says, ‘I must do it again.’

    For me, my life has been interesting and I have had the low and the high times. I have had the static times, that I had just been coasting along. I really don’t believe that there is anybody who would say that it’s been smooth. Even the holy books tell us. Let’s even look at it from the individual perspective, I am a Muslim and the Koran tells me that you would be tried. But then, what Allah is interested in is how you react to these trials and that is what determines the next level.

    Is there a particular person that influenced you?

    I always find that question very interesting. But I think that I am always grateful to my parents who moulded me and put the fear of God in me, taught me values and made me who I am today.

    Where there dreams that you had as a young girl?

    Oh yes! I always saw myself as a leader. When I was young, I always saw myself as someone who was in front and everyone followed. Someone who led the path, being the innovator, being the fashionable one, being the person everybody looked up to.

    Talking about the fashionable part of your life, tell us about the early days.

    For people who know me quite well, with all sense of humility, I think I have a very refined sense of fashion, which I have no apologies for. I have an eye for good things, I love good things but I am very hard working. So, I balance it. If you work hard then, you are allowed to enjoy the benefits of your hard work. So, I love to look good, coordinated all the time. For me, it actually comes effortlessly. I have to go somewhere and I just open my wardrobe and I put it together. I get there and everybody is like, ‘have you been planning this?’ but I just open my stuff and brought the pieces together. Sometimes, I find pieces that match so well and it looks like I bought them for themselves.

    What advice do you have for women in politics?

    My advice to women in politics would be, to be fair. To hold on to what they believe in. To hold on to the natural good conscience values because certain things are right and certain things are wrong. Most importantly, to have the fear of God in all that they do. If you lead your lives being ruled by the fear of God, you won’t get it wrong. In everything there is room for improvement, and the more the merrier.

    Then we can create a critical mass that can lean together and fight for the rights of women and achieve more. If you have a critical mass, then in terms of lobbying, when policies and laws are being made, you can help to lobby, put positions forward that will positively impact on women. But, if you don’t have the right critical mass, then it makes it difficult. Which is why I said it can be better, because the more the merrier.

    There is the popular saying that women are their own worst enemies. What is your opinion about this?

    I don’t think that I have had that experience. It is something that I have heard also in the corporate world. I think that that saying is a general saying because it is about individuals and attitudes.

    Your party, PDP, has tried to win in Lagos State but didn’t. What would you be doing differently this time around?

    We have done it two times and we didn’t get it. I think that this time it’s different. Why do I say it is different? We have learnt lessons from the past, with everything. The strong person is that person who is able to rise after making mistakes and say that, ‘you know what, I have learnt some mistakes. I am going to do it again.’ And so, I think that is one fundamental thing for us. We have learnt a lot of lessons and intend to do things better.

    Secondly, you ask what are we going to do differently? With all sense of humility, I would say that my coming to the race is a different ballgame. I think that should provide some difference; that was on the lighter note.  But on a serious note, what we are going to do differently is that we are going to attack the issues that people have. I am not going to tell you that we are going to provide the usual manifestoes. We are going to look at people’s pains, people’s needs and we are going to see how we can address them.

  • Between a Babajide Sanwoolu and a Jimi Agbaje

    I had always looked at Mr Jimi Agbaje, the serial contender from the Peoples Democratic Party stable for the Lagos State governorship seat, from afar as a complete gentleman whose style of politics is to be separated from the mundane and the murky.

    Perhaps I was mistaken. His tweet in reaction to the APC governorship candidate, Jide Sanwoolu’s recent television interview on TVC, acknowledged by many, including Dr Kunle Olajide, the secretary general of the Yoruba Council of Elders, who described the performance as simply outstanding and brilliant, made me to start rethinking that, like a local musician once sang, to prostrate is not necessarily a hallmark of good character, and that in spite of the famed attribute of a Naaman, he was indeed a leper!

    I will not dignify Mr Jimi Agbaje with a recall of how he put his tweet in the social media. It suffices to say that the way Mr Sanwoolu reacted to his political rival’s ‘put down’ comment on him, clearly proved the point that there’s a world of difference between men and boys, and that regardless of the age difference that is in favour of Agbaje, this young man known as Jide Sanwoolu is miles ahead in comportment and maturity. Will the pollsters agree with me that whether or not Jimi Agbaje improves on the style evidenced in his tweet to Sanwoolu’s interview, for this one, he’s some point down in his public rating?

  • 2019: I will beat Sanwo-olu flat — Agbaje

    The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Governorship Candidate in Lagos, State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, says he will beat All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, flat in the 2019 election.

    Agbaje expressed the confidence while addressing his supporters at the formal declaration of his ambition in Lagos.

    He said 2019 would be a year of victory for him, after two failed attempts.

    Lagos is a stronghold of the APC and though over 40 candidates from different parties are eying the state’s governorship seat in 2019, APC’s Sanwo-olu and PDP’s Agbaje are believed to be major contenders.

    Agbaje promised to shock the APC and its candidate in the election.

    “I will beat the APC in 2019; mark my words, I will not only beat them, I will beat them flat. I am sure of winning because Lagosians are behind me.

    “The support we were given in 2015 is still there, intact. We will expand on it in 2019. I am in the race because I am passionate about Lagos.

    “I hear them calling me their customer because of my past attempts, but I tell them,the customer is King. By next year, we shall know the results. But I can assure you once again that I will beat them flat,” he said.

    The governorship candidate said the APC had failed the state in all the ramifications, calling on residents to vote out the party for lack of progress.

    He said he had the capacity, the experience and sincerity to deliver the Lagos of everybody’s dream, if elected.

    Agbaje said he had a robust plan to provide jobs for the teeming youths ,who in turn would drive the prosperity of the State.

    He added that he would improve security in all parts of the state to safeguard lives and properties.

    Agbaje said the problem of gridlock was becoming unbearable, promising to implement actions to ease movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

    He said he would improve essential services like health, education and accelerate infrastructural development of all parts of the state.

    Asked if the gale of defection of prominent PDP members would not affect his chances, he said the exit of a few individuals would not stop his victory.

    He said the party was not in anyway affected by the defection, adding that party members were more determined than ever to liberate the state from APC.

    “It is normal for people to change parties, but the question is, what is the impact? When Obanikoro left, did anybody go with him?

    “When Salvador left, our former Chairman, he left alone. The people are still in the party. Chief Bode George is here, so are all the great party men.

    “So, we are winning in 2019. No doubt about that. The people are tired and they want a change in PDP,” he said. (NAN)

  • Lagos 2019: Agbaje kicks off campaign with lofty promises

    The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State Jimi Agbaje on Saturday kick started his campaign with promises to deliver the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lite Rail and a minimum of a thousand megawatt electricity in four years.

    Agbaje also promised quality and affordable healthcare, good education, blue economy with functional water transportation as well as employment for the youths.

    He spoke at Ultima Studio in Lekki where he officially presented his running mate Mrs. Haleemat Busari, a lawyer.

    According to him, the over 20 percent unemployment rate of Lagos was largely caused by lack of electricity, adding that the state needed 3,000 megawatts to drive small, medium and large scale industries.

    Agbaje who said he had continued his quest to govern Lagos despite failing twice, claimed he was in the race to serve.

    He alleged that money that would have been used to develop the state over the years had ended in private pockets, adding that his mandate was to liberate Lagos, enthrone democracy.

    He said: “Our youths are emigrating daily to Canada and United States in search for employment. Under my government, I promise that there will be jobs for the youths.

    “As governor I promise to provide a minimum of 1000 megawatts of power. I know that Lagos needs at least 3000 megawatts but I do not want to promise more and achieve less that is why I said I will ensure Lagos produces at least 1000 megawatts.

    “I will ensure that our people have quality healthcare that is funded through insurance. We will revive public education in the state so that even the children of the poor can have good education…”

    Read Also: Can Agbaje make it in 2019?

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command said it has deployed riders to monitor and arrest anyone seen vandalising campaign posters.

    The deployment, according to police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) followed complaints by Agbaje that his campaign boards were removed by unknown persons.

    The PDP candidate had alleged that his campaign boards that were placed along the Third Mainland Bridge which he saw on his saw to Unusual Praise were vandalised as of the time he was returning from the praise night.

    Upon the compliant, Oti said his boss Imohimi Edgal directed the Deputy Commissioner incharge of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti Yaba, to set up a monitoring team to daily monitor and arrest anybody seen vandalising or defacing campaign posters or boards.

    “In addition, the commissioner has directed that invitation letters be sent to chairmen of all political parties in the state, their flag bearers, the INEC and other stakeholders for a meeting scheduled to hold on Wednesday, December 5, at 11am, at Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Ikeja.

    “This is to further drive home the fact that there is no alternative to peace and the need for all political parties, their candidates and supporters to shun acts capable of breaching the public peace.

    “Constrained by limited manpower, there is no way the command could post policemen to cover all  campaign posters in the state but the much it can do, is to adopt the Aberdeen System in protecting campaign adverts and solicit the cooperation of all and sundry in ensuring the maintenance of law and order.”

     

  • Can Agbaje make it in 2019?

    At the governorship primary of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimi Agbaje, a pharmacist, was elected as the flag bearer. Can he defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in next year’s election? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the prospects and constraints of his ambition.

    Shouts of ‘Jay Kay is okay’, the slogan of his campaign platform, filled the air. Jimi Agbaje, the governorship candidate of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for next year’s election was in high spirit. “A new Lagos is possible”, he said, amid cheers by his supporters, who listened to his acceptance speech after the primary.

    It was his third attempt. Despite the past electoral defeat, he is bubbling with enthusiasm and optimism. But, can he triumph at the poll next year?

    Agbaje is a household name in Lagos, held in esteem by many people across political parties. As a pharmacist and businessman, he has made money and name. Many people see him as a man of honour and integrity.

    He took off from ‘Idile’, a group of promising minds motivated by transformational ideas. But, he rose to prominence as an Afenifere foot soldier, serving the umbrella Yoruba socio-political group as treasurer.

    Many thought that his activities should have earned him a cabinet position in the Tinubu administration in 2003. But, sources said he declined the offer of government appointment. He was, unknown to a lot of party men, eyeing the driver’s seat.

    In 2007, Agbaje believed that he had paid his dues as a labourer in the vineyard of the socio-political organisation and the party it weaned, the Alliance for Democracy(AD).

    He unfolded his ambition for governor on the platform of the defunct Action Congress (AC). The party rose from the ashes of the AD, following its liquidation by the PDP-led Federl Government.

    However, the governorship primary did not favour him. Agbaje alleged that it was not free and fair. When Mr Babatunde Fashola(SAN) lifted the party flag, other aspirants cried foul. Agbaje, Olufemi Pedro, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Remi Adikwu Bakare, Abiodun Ogunleye, Oyinlomo Danmole, Kaoli Olusanya, Ganiyu Solomon, Erikitola, Kunle Lawal, Tola Kasali kicked against the nomination process.

    Party sources said that the AC leadership reached out to Agbaje. He was asked to consider the option of contesting for the Senate in the Central District. But, Agbaje rejected the offer on the ground that it would amount to injustice, since it was public knowledge that the former chairman of Apapa Council, Alhaji Muniru Muse, was already holding the ticket.

    To spite former Governor Bola Tinubu, Agbaje, Afikuyomi, Danmole, Lawal, and Adikwu-Bakare defected to Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA). A week after, Afikuyomi went to the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) and emerged its governorship candidate. Pedro left for the Labour Party (LP), and later, the PDP. Surprisingly, Afikuyomi later showed up on poll day as Fashola’s agent at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office.

    In DPA, Agbaje floored Adikwu-Bakare during the governorship primary. Another aggrieved aspirant, the late Prof. Kunle Lawal, became his running mate. Adikwu-Bakare, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, hurriedly left for the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). She lost her deposit at the poll.

    After the shadow poll, an Afenifere chieftain told reporters that Adikwu- Bakare was  fired by her wrong projections, wondering why the elders would prefer her to Agbaje who had served them meritoriously.

    The campaign was hot. It was a moment of emotional wrenching. Fashola, Agbaje, Adikwu- Bakare, Afikuyomi and Musiliu Obanikoro were at war, as it were. Few years back, they belonged to the same party, AD, an offshoot of Afenifere.

    Agbaje’s manifestos were not significantly different from the promises made to Lagosians by Fashola and Adikwu-Bakare. The language was the same. Except Obanikoro’s PDP, the parties are similar. Throughout the campaign, Agbaje and Fashola only disagreed on one point the viability of the Fourth Mainland Bridge. While Agbaje said it was not a priority, Fashola insisted that the people needed it for ease of transportation. Up to now, it has remained a tall order.

    However, the battle was fought with vigour. Feathers were also ruffled. There was a great deal of political investment. Desperation could not be ruled out. The candidates were enveloped in anxiety.

    Agbaje was gifted in speech. He ran a neat campaign devoid of thuggery, unlike the PDP train of cutlasses, clubs, bows and arrows. Agbaje had money to run the campaigns. Apparently, he was supported by his rich friends. His print adverts were captivating. His radio and television jingles won souls. He toured the grassroots and made impressions. He avoided scandals like poison.

    One of his friends, Dr Kanyinsola Ajayi(SAN), said Agbaje would not be forgotten in a hurry because of the way and manner he engaged the masses.

    His associate, Mr Yinka Odumakin, shared the same view. He said the DPA candidate established himself as a credible and formidable alternative to the ‘same of the same’.

    However, Agbaje was soon to be put in a tight corner by  former Deputy Governor Pedro during one of the live debates. Pedro had inquired from him, derisively, the experience that qualified him to vie for the governorship of Lagos as the owner of  a patient medicine store, with not more than five employees under his control. The DPA candidate noted the scornful look and the attempt to diminish his profile.

    When Agbaje rose to defend himself, he returned the missiles. He reminded the former number two citizen of Lagos that when he was a Managing Director of a bank, he was a shareholder, indeed a Director, which implied part ownership. Agbaje also asked Pedro to explain the circumstances that led to his exit from the bank.  Besides, he added that the former deputy governor should respond to the allegation by his boss that he had not properly rendered his account of stewardship. Pedro flared up, taking exception to those replies. He explained that when he left his former working place, the organisation held a befitting send-forth for him.

    Despite the enormous electoral investment, Agbaje came third, trailing Obanikoro, who was defeated by Fashola.  The love of Lagosians for Agbaje was  undermined by a corresponding reluctance to adopt his party by voters. He was a strong contender hindered by his weak party.

    Agbaje lost the election, but not his honour. He claimed that his photograph or logo disappeared on the ballot paper. In protest, he went to the tribunal, urging the temple of upturn the results. He also lost in the court.

    In 2011, Agbaje did not contest. A source said APC leaders offered the position of deputy governor to him. But, he rejected it. He only attended political conferences and commented on burning national issues, particularly the electoral reforms and the national question.

    In 2015, he finally yielded to pressures on him by the PDP to run for governor. A sort of war broke out between him and Obanikoro. But, backed by Chief Bode George, he emerged as the candidate.

    During the election, former President Goodluck Jonathan threw his weight behind Agbaje. His party had lost the presidential election, but PDP wanted to win Lagos. The members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) were on the prowl. Although PDP won some House of Assembly and Representatives seats, the ultimate crown eluded the party. Agbaje was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Akin Ambode.

    After the election, Agbaje was said to have parted way with his leader, George. The retired soldier wanted to be the PDP national chairman. Agbaje, backed by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, struggled for the position with George. Both of them later lost the slot to Uche Secondus, who was also sponsored by the PDP governors.

    During the PDP primary, Agbaje defeated his rival, Deji Doherty, who does not enjoy his kind of popularity. But, can he beat the APC candidate,Babajide  Sanwo-Olu, in next year’s poll?

    In 2015, the PDP-led Federal Government supported Agbaje’s cause with big money. Ethnicity was also invoked as majority of Igbo gravitated to the PDP. Many were interested in partaking in the bonanza. But, does the same situation exists now? At the state and federal levels, the APC wields the power of incumbency. Many PDP chieftains, including its chairman, Goke Salvador, some legislators and their supporters, have defected to the APC.

    Agbaje has reputation. But, is his platform strong enough to take him to the Lagos State House?

     

     

  • Gbadamosi emerges Lagos ADP guber candidate

    Real estate developer, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, has emerged as the Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for the 2019 election.

    Gbadamosi’s election was ratified by ADP members during the party’s primaries at its Lagos State Secretariat on Saturday.

    The Chairman, ADP, Lagos State, Mr Bolaji Adewale, said Gbadamosi, who was unopposed, scored a total of 119,919 votes during the primaries conducted across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Adewale thanked the party chieftains and supporters for the peaceful conduct of all primaries.

    He noted that ADP was the first party to adopt direct primaries in Nigeria as enshrined in its constitution.

    The chairman said the party would continue to come up with innovative ideas that would deepen democracy and governance in Nigeria.

    In his acceptance speech, Gbadamosi , who is the Managing Director of Redbricks Homes International Limited, thanked ADP members for giving him the privilege of contesting for the governorship position under the party’s platform.

    Gbadamosi said he was joining the race to rescue Lagos State from the “captivity” of godfatherism, mediocre governance and mismanagement of tax payers money.

    “The moment of truth is here. Today, we are formally entering the race to lead our dear state on the platform of our great party, the ADP.

    “After today, I will be presenting the Gbadamosi Plan for Lagos. It is a comprehensive document that touches on all aspects of our lives as Lagosians.

    “It touches on our individual and collective destiny as people of Lagos and the legacies we hope to bequeath to our children and our generation yet unborn, “he said.

    Read Also: 2019: ADP aspirant pulls out of guber race in Niger

    According to him, the plan aims to address crucial areas such as public education, health care, transportation, affordable housing, among others which have deteriorated in the state.

    Gbadamosi said apart from having the prerequisite experience and qualifications to govern the state, he would assemble a team of professionals to administer over key areas to fast track its development.

    He expressed optimism that he would be victorious in the election because the people of Lagos were disappointed with the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at both the federal and state levels.

    “My appeal to you is that you should join me today. Let us rewrite our future to one of our own dreams and reject the greed of godfathers.

    “I solemnly promise all Lagosians today that I will take Lagos Beyond Ordinary Governance, ” he said.

    Gbadamosi will be contesting against several candidates including Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Mr Jimi Agbaje of the PDP in the 2019 governoship poll.

    NAN

  • Agbaje clinches Lagos PDP governorship ticket

    Lagos- Mr Jimi Agbaje was yesterday  declared winner of the governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State.

    Agbaje, who was the party’s flagbearer in the 2015 election, will be taking another shot at the Alausa  Government House, next year.

    He was declared winner of the primary after polling 1100 votes to defeat Mr Adedeji Doherty, who scored 742 votes.

    Announcing the results at about 4.40pm, the Chairman of the Primary Electoral Committee, Sen.Victor Oyofo, said that the party had demonstrated democracy in action with the successful conduct of the primary.

    He commended both men for the way they conducted themselves throughout the process, saying that the party was proud of them.

    He described the election as   very fair and an example of what democracy should be.

    “They fought a good fight, the process was open, everyone expressed their desires and the votes have counted,he said.

    Oyofo congratulated Agbaje as well as his counterpart, saying he had no doubt the party was on the path to win Lagos.

    Agbaje, in his speech, said he accepted the victory and congratulated Doherty for giving a good fight.

    “Let me first of all formally accept to be the gubernatorial candidate of our party in the 2019 election.

    “So , I will of course congratulate specially Engineer Adedeji Doherty, for the keen contest we have just concluded.

    “When you are in a race, you must know you either win or lose. Deji has demonstrated the capacity to accept what has happened.

    “I congratulate you once again and I will be soliciting your support in the months ahead,” he said

    Agbaje said his mission was to take Lagos to greater heights, and called for the support of all party members in pursuing the goal.

    Earlier, Doherty congratulated Agbaje, saying that his victory was not for him alone, but for all members of the party.

    He said the race to claim Lagos was worth it to bring more development to the state, promising to work with Agbaje to achieve the goal.

     

  • Jimi Agbaje wins Lagos PDP guber primary

    Jimi Agbaje on Friday emerged as the governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State.

    Read Also:Water-tight security as PDP holds national convention

    Agbaje who was candidate of PDP in 2015 got 1,100 votes to defeat Adedeji Doherty who polled 742 votes.

    Details later…

  • Lagos: I’m back in the governorship race – Jimi Agbaje

    Mr Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday ended speculations about his re-run bid, saying he was back in the race.

    Agbaje made the confirmation via a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “It is true that initially I did not want to re-contest, but I had so many people urging me to run.

    “I bought and submitted my nomination form shortly before it closed. I will be part of the PDP Lagos governorship primaries, billed for Friday, Sept 28th, “ he said.

    Agbaje said that he was confident he would win the elections in Lagos, if he picked the PDP guber ticket to run.

    On the upcoming primaries, Agbaje said he was confident that the leadership would create a level playing ground for all the aspirants, as has been the norm of the party.

    “Our primaries have always been open, fair and free for all.

    “This is what we are known for, and that is the way I expect it to be,” he said.

    Read Also: ‘How we reconciled Gov. Gaidam, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim’

    Agbaje, who also contested for the National Chairmanship of the PDP in 2017, won by Uche Secondus, said that the recent defections from the party in the state would not affect him if he picked the ticket.

    “It is the people of Lagos State that will decide. The issues in the party will not impart negatively on votes.

    “Most Nigerians now vote for individuals rather than party,” he said.

    NAN reports that Agbaje, popularly known as JK, was born March 2, 1957 in Lagos State to late Chief Julius Kosebinu (Banker) and Mrs. Margaret Olabisi (teacher).

    A Pharmacist, Agbaje is the second born and first male child of five children (two female and two male siblings) including Segun Agbaje, the CEO of Guarantee Trust Bank.

  • Why I didn’t quit PDP — Jimi Agbaje

    Why I didn’t quit PDP — Jimi Agbaje

    Mr Jimi Agbaje, a former gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State in 2017 election, says he has not contemplated quitting the party because most parties lack ideology.

    Agbaje made the disclosure in an interview with the News men on Tuesday in Lagos while reflecting on his political aspiration.

    The one-time contestant for the National Chairman of PDP alluded that there were little differences in the political parties in Nigeria save the name given to them.

    “There is no need to cross carpet to other political party, what do I want there? In our country, there is little difference in the political parties that we have.

    “You can only cross carpet if you are looking for power, but when you gain the power you are looking for, you will discover that it is not in your own terms.

    “The party you defected to will dictate to you what they want, then you are unable to deliver at your own terms.

    “Why changing party when you can still fulfil your aspiration where you are and make impact? The real change has thought us to be wiser,’’ he said.

    Agbaje said that he saw himself as an accomplished politician who can still fulfil the process of good governance which was more satisfactory to him.

    “I have always seen myself as a fulfilled politician though I am still driving the process without recourse to many distractions that I have had.

    “I can achieve what I want at any day at any time, so, what am I looking for?  Political aspiration is about service to the people which is more important.

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    “If you are resilient  and plan better, do things better, with patience, things will get better as days goes by, we can have a better country that is my belief,’’ he said.

    Agbaje, however, admonished the youth to be selfless in their service to the country, adding that it was the only way they could achieve greatness they were desirous of.

    “Youths must realise that the first thing is that reason for going to the politics should be defined. It is very important.

    “It should be clear that service to the people should be paramount rather than self and they will find out that when they get to where they are going it will be easier to deliver.

    “The youth also need to be patient in their aspirations and not focus too much on money. Money is not everything, and should not also scare them away from politics.

    “If they are scared, they will not achieve anything; it is like someone who wants to build a house but considering all that it will take him, he will not want to build; it’s same thing with politics,’’ he said.

    NAN