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Tag: lagos

  • Lagos to partner Israel on water management

    THE Lagos State government through the office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global) has revealed its plans to partner the Water Technology and Environmental Control (WATEC) Israel, on water management. This was revealed during a meeting between Water Technology and Environmental Control sensitization programme and Governor Akiwunmi Ambode in Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, Ambode said: “as we are all aware, access to and management of water resources as well as environmental control remains, one of the greatest challenges facing most parts of developing world. “For the past few days, the state and indeed most parts of Nigeria have witnessed torrential rain fall. We have witnessed our most prime estates flooded with water, we have seen our roads taken by floods and we have painfully watch how many home that have literarily become pools.

    This indeed are trying times for any government, especially our administration which determinately pursued massive infrastructural development to improve standards of living of our citizens. However, if we have learnt anything in the ongoing flooding, it is that there is an immediate, need for us to embark upon a review and reengineering of our drainage system.” He revealed that the state decided to partner with Israel because of its ability to have successfully overcome its limitation. Also, the Special Adviser on Overseas Affairs and Investment to the governor, Prof. Ademola Abass said the event was a preface to WATEC Israel 2017 conference, taking place in Tel Aviv, from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14.

  • AMAA 2017: Lagos ready to welcome global filmmakers

    LAGOS State Government has disclosed its readiness to play a good host to local and international visitors coming for the 13th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) today.

    The pan-African event which will hold at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel is expected to bring award nominees and professionals in the film industry from over 50 countries within and outside Africa.

    Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi, and his counterpart at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Mr. Adewale Ashimi, during a briefing with the organising team, said Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and the entertainment hub of Africa is ready as the host state to make coming to Lagos an exciting experience for visitors.

    “As the centre of Excellence whatever Lagos is involved with must be done excellently and we have enough to showcase to the outside world in Lagos.  We will showcase the business opportunities and very conducive investment environment that government of Lagos is working hard to create. Visitors will see the transformation going on under the leadership of Governor Akinwumu Ambode. The Ministry of Tourism has marked out tourism sites and locations in Lagos that international guests will see. As a megacity, Lagos is being transformed by the visionary leadership of the Governor to be a home for business and leisure. We have a government that believes in entertainment and the creative industry as a viable contributor to the economy of the state. Lagos is ready to welcome AMAA nominees and guests,” he said.

    The organisers of the awards have announced Nollywood A-list Actress Nse Ikpe-Etim as the sole host of the night, a departure from the usual two people as hosts of events.

    Director of Administration, Mr. Tony Anih, said Nse has all it takes to host the show.

    “Nse is a vivacious actress and one of the best on the continent,” said Anih.

    “She is will bring her creativity and positive energy on board and we are sure she will do a good job.”

    In the same vein, Afro Juju star, Sir Shina Peters, Ugandan pop star, Ykee Banda, Paul Play Dairo and the Maestro Band will entertain guests and nominees during the show.

  • Coping with Lagos’ rains

    Now that the rains are fully here in Lagos, it is important to put certain things into proper perspective to enhance our understanding of related issues and most importantly intimate us with helpful safety tips. The first thing to consider is the topography of Lagos. A critical feature of Lagos topography is that it is essentially made up of low lying terrain up to 0.4 percent below the sea level. Naturally, this constitutes a huge drainage challenge for the state. If this is added to the volume of rain being experienced in the state lately, it might be really difficult to rule out flash flooding, especially in some areas.

    Second is the fact that experts across the world have made it clear, long before now, that the intensity of this year’s rains will be much more than what we had in the past. For instance, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted “extended rains of three to eight days for areas in and around Adamawa, Ogun, Edo, Niger Delta and low-lying areas such as Lagos. Recent developments have, indeed, come to authenticate this position, especially with regards to the volume of rains being presently experienced across the country.

    Furthermore, it is important to emphasise that in-spite of government and other critical stakeholders’ preparedness at mitigating the effect of heavy downpour in the state, the impact might not be fully felt except the citizens totally shun negative practices that could promote flooding. For instance, some illegal waste agents being patronized by a few residents indiscriminately dump refuse in canals and large drainage channels.

    This often results in blockage of free flow of waste water, resulting in flash flooding whenever it rains. This is often rampant in markets and other commercial centres as well densely populated areas of the state. Often times, the effects of such poor sanitary habit on affected residents are unquantifiable and devastating. Some have been rendered homeless and miserable, no thanks to human induced environmental hazards. Thus, we all need to fully embrace the culture of proper waste disposal, comply with building regulations, tap into alternative energy use, and pay necessary attention to sanitation issues among others.

    In order to appropriately educate the citizens on proper means of coping during periods on intense rainfall, NGOs, Community Development Associations, the media, members of the Civil Society and all well-meaning individuals and groups in the state need to partner with the state government to achieve  the required attitudinal change towards the environment. At present, the state government is combining public enlightenment strategies to sensitize Lagosians on this development and had taken the time to proffer solutions so that the rains being currently experienced won’t have devastating effects on lives and property.

    Similarly, the state government has continued to vigorously pursue its policy on the environment in order to create and ensure a cleaner, healthier and sustainable environment that will promote economic growth and well-being of the citizenry. As always, the state government is committed to a cleaner environment and quality public health through implementation of community based solid waste management, flood control, vegetal control and high standard of home and personal hygiene, sanitation, control of environment pollution (air, water and noise), beautification and advertisement control. Consequently, its approach to tackling the issue of flooding in the state is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. It includes dredging, massive construction and expansion of drainage channels, desilting and excavation of silts to dumpsites, regular repair, clearing and cleaning of drainages, canals and collector drains across the state.

    Whenever it is observed that the intensity of the rains is much, it is essential that people, especially children stay indoors to reduce movement to the barest minimum.  In fact, if it could be avoided, it is better not to drive while it is raining heavily.  Similarly, we need to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times to avoid being victims of water borne diseases. Also, to mitigate the effects of cold, we must ensure that children and the elderly are properly clothed with warm clothing during the rains. It is only when this is done that we will be able to curb the spread of rain induced health hazard such as cough, cold and other related ones.  Additionally, this is the time to embrace the culture of taking plenty of thoroughly washed fruits in order to boost the immune system. This is in addition to drinking water from only trusted and well tested safe sources.

    Since we now live in a hi-tech information age, it is also imperative that people listen to news reports and information on weather situation from various available credible mediums. This will really aid in planning movements and avoiding flood prone locations. Also, in view of likely destructive thunder strikes that usually accompany windy rainfall, Lagos residents are strongly advised to always disconnect all electrical appliances whenever they want to sleep or go out. This will go a long way in checkmating rain induced electrical debacles. Similarly, children should be discouraged from touching electrical equipment when wet.

    In as much as it is beyond human powers to stop rains, being a natural phenomenon, we should, at least, do things that are in our powers to lessen the negative consequences of rains. This includes regular clearing of gutters and drainages in our areas, making use of suitable services to dispose waste, reporting anyone dumping refuse in drains, gutters and canals to appropriate authorities. We should consider moving immediately to higher ground when flooding is imminent wherever we are, staying away from submerged electricity cables, cleaning and disinfecting everything that gets wet, staying away from canals and drainages evacuating or leaving danger zones immediately, calling 767 in case of emergency among others.

    On a final note, it is essential that the federal government, through its relevant agencies, collaborates with states that have peculiar flooding challenges to determine areas of assistance. This must be done as a regular preventive measure and not after the havoc has been done. In as much as it is true that we cannot stop rainfall, together we can mitigate its effects.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
  • Power Oil holds health walk in Lagos

    Power Oil holds health walk in Lagos

    It was all fun over the weekend when Power Oil held its third health awareness walk tagged “Power Oil WalkHeartOn”in Lagos.

    Despite the downpour, the event was well-attended, as people came out en mass to join the healthy walk, which started and terminated at the National Stadium, Surulere.

    The yearly walk is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and remind Nigerians on the benefits of a daily fitness routine.

    Power Oil Brand Manager, Miss Amisha Chawla said: “We are amazed at the turnout, despite the weather situation. It shows that the gospel of fitness/health consciousness which the brand preaches is fast gaining momentum among Nigerians by the day.

    ‘’It was an energetic walk spiced with some music to keep the crowd in high spirits throughout the rainy journey.

    ‘’Confirming from our registration data base both online and offline, we recorded up to 2,032 participants in Lagos alone. However, judging from the current scene, it is clear that the head counts surpass that figure.  Right now, we are gearing up for Enugu and Port Harcourt  for next Saturday.’’

    The firm’s Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Omotayo Abiodun, said it was obvious that Lagosians had a lot of fun with the brand while walking for a healthy heart alongside some popular comedians, such as (Funnybone & MC Bonus) and musical artiste (Sound Sultan).

    The walk started from the National Stadium,moved to Shitta Roundabout, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, linked Bode Thomas, then turned at Iponri Bridge, faced Alaka and returned to the stadium.

    Members of the Nigerian Heart Foundation supported the walk by giving some talks on the benefits of walking for the heart.

    The foundation’s Programme Manager, Mr. Olatunde Ojo, said a minimum of 30 minutes walk daily was enough to help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, maintain a good body weight and it ultimately enhances mental alertness and general wellbeing. ‘’As simple as it sounds, the benefits of walking to human lives is unquantifiable as many lives have been lost as a result of a sedentary lifestyle,’’he said.

    Funnybone, MC Bonus and Sound Sultan, who also joined the walk, took turn to perform.

    Power Oil health camps were also available to all, offering free medical checks for participants to ascertain their health statuses, including blood pressure, and BMI.

    The firm promised that the camps would be avaible at future walks.

    The Power Oil WalkHeartOn Health awareness project started in 2015 in Lagos to promote fitness and healthy living among Nigerians.

    Last year, it wasextended to five cities – Lagos, Ibadan, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

  • Lagos poll: APC should unite, says Seriki

    Lagos poll: APC should unite, says Seriki

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Akanni Seriki has urged members to unite as they warm up for the local government elections.

    He said: “We have no other party than the APC. When the situation is like this, we should forget our personal interests and endorse our collective aspiration.”

    Seriki, a party leader from Epe Division, added: “I am calling for peace and unity so that we can survive under our party. There will be adjustments later. Not all of us can be chairmen and councilors at the same time.”

    He noted the complaints that have trailed the selection of party flag bearers for the local government elections, saying that the large number of contenders posed a serious challenge.

    Seriki called for loyalty, saying that the party is big to accommodate the interests of its members. However, he warned against “a certain and dangerous tendency” of conceding leadership to new comers, who, he said, were throwing stones at the progressive bloc when they were members of the conservative platform.

    He said: “I have been a consistent politician. But, some people who have traversed all the political parties in the world have now returned and trying to dominate us in the APC. I object to this in Epe Division.”

    Seriki described himself as an acknowledged leader of the APC in the division, stressing that his contributions and achievements are verifiable.

    He stressed: “As a leader of Epe APC, I have produced a Speaker of House of Assembly, commissioners and a governor. Anyone who will achieve more than me will have to install a president. I have my good name. I am opposed to falsehood and blackmail in politics. They are not god virtues. I have been able to groom credible leaders for Epe. Other leaders coming up should emulate me.”

    Seriki hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for living up to expectation, adding that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu deserved credit for his foresight.

    He added: “Governor Ambode is doing well. His projects are well spread across the three districts, in terms of roads, bridges, security, education. In two years, he has justified the confidence reposed in him. The impact of his works is felt all over the state.

    “”I thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for grooming a leader from Epe. Ambode has not let us down. We should be praying for the governor. We should also pray for Tinubu. We should always rally round them.”

  • Lagos govt, scholars mourn Sheikh Zuglool

    Lagos govt, scholars mourn Sheikh Zuglool

    Lagos State government and some renowned Islamic scholars have paid glowing tributes to the founder and Mudir of Dharu-Dawa-Wal Irshad in Isolo, Lagos, Sheikh Mustapha Sanusi Zuglool.

    The eminent Islamic scholar died last Wednesday and was buried the following day, according to Islamic rites. He was 80.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, who represented the state government at the burial, described the deceased as scholars’ scholar.

    According to him, the mammoth crowd at the burial attested to Sheikh Zuglool’s good character.

    AbdulLateef said: “It is unfortunate we lost such a good person at a time the nation needs people of wisdom to guide the youths. He was a great scholar, who has also brought up many other scholars. He is also survived by good children.

    “Some pray to die in the Holy Land (saudi Arabia) so that many could gather for their Janazah, but Sheikh Zuglool’s burial also attracted thousands of people. Allah has really blessed him.”

    Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) Chief Missioner Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad said Sheikh Zuglool’s death came as a rude shock but death is inevitable.

    Sheikh Ahmad said: “His death is such a very great loss to the Ummah. By all standard, Sheikh Zuglool was an intellectual giant and when learned people like him dies, the light of the community starts to diminish, then darkness gradually takes over. This is because learned people are the light of the society, they illuminate, spiritually, physically and mentally. So, the death of leaned people like Zuglool is worrisome. It is a great loss to the society, it is not an ordinary death, it is the death of a leaned man; not even an ordinary learned man but a giant among the learned men.”

    Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Mufti Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I described Sheikh Zuglool’s death as a colossal loss to the nation especially the Muslim ummah.

    “He was a great historian, whose knowledge of Middle East can’t be doubted. One can call him an encyclopaedia of Middle East knowledge. He was one of the few that were very versed on the issues in that region. He lived a fulfilled life and was exemplary in conduct. His lifestyle was moderate despite having wealthy people around him. We pray Allah grant him paradise,” he said.

    Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Director Prof Ishaq Akintola said: “He was a great Islamic Scholar, an indefatigable preacher, a mentor primus inter pareil and a humanist par excellence. He stands on the same pedestal as the late Shaykh Adam Al-Ilori.”

    According to Sheikh Abdullah Akinbode, “Baba was a colossus of virtues, citadel of knowledge and epitome of morality.”

    NASFAT Acting Chief Missioner Sheikh Abdullazeez Onike said: “We have lost a scholar! Sheikh Zuglool was a scholar by all standards. His style of tafsir was unparalleled; you will think he was a professor of History. We in NASFAT will never forget him because he kicked-off our Ramadan Tafsir and since it has been wonderful. Indeed, we have lost a great scholar in Nigeria.”

    Secretary, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, (MMPN) Lagos Chapter, Haroon Balogun described late Zuglool as a respected scholar, a stockroom of knowledge, an erudite Historian who contributed tremendously to development of Islam particularly among the youths.

    “Like Sheikh Adam Al Ilori, he mentored a lot of younger Muslims leaving behind enduring legacies for the generation unborn. May Allah forgive him and admit his soul into Aljanah Firdaus.”

  • Lagos demands unconditional release of kidnapped children

    Lagos demands unconditional release of kidnapped children

    Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem has  demanded the unconditional release of the six children kidnapped from Igbonla Model College since May 25.

    Kazeem spoke at the Governor’s office in Alausa on Thursday,while the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, Chief Yusuf Ogundare was paraded for allegedly faking his kidnap.

    Kazeem said it was disheartening that while the State Government and security agencies were working round the clock to secure the release of the children, some unscrupulous persons deemed it fit to raise false alarm.

    He said it was situations as this that prompted the Governor to sign the Anti-Kidnapping bill into law, assuring that the Government would not hesitate to prosecute anyone who runs fowl of the law.

    He said just as the law prescribes life imprisonment for kidnapping in the State, same also applies for any person who fakes their own kidnap.

    “Nothing can be more despicable and heinous than to raise false alarm where there is none. This is even more despicable when we consider the plight of these children that were recently kidnapped and are still being held by the kidnappers.

    “Let me sound a very serious note of warning that we have zero tolerance for crimes against the State. No matter how high or low you may be in the society, you can be assured that we will bring you to justice if you commit a crime.”

    He also urged them not to rest on their oars but continue to go all out to ensure that the State remains safe and secured for residents and investors.

  • 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.

     

  • Lagos reforms lands registry to improve economy

    Lagos reforms lands registry to improve economy

    Lagos State Governor  Akinwunmi Ambode has said reforms to reposition land administration for efficiency and ease of doing business have been put in place by his administration. These include the deployment of cutting-edge technology.

    Ambode made this known while inaugurating the upgraded and redesigned Land Registry in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The reforms, he said, were reasons for the accelerated issuance of land documents. About 11, 034 documents have so far been issued. The breakdown is: 4,602 Certificates of Occupancy (CofO), as well as 6,118 Governor’s Consent and 314 Deemed Grant Consent.

    Describing the new Land Registry as another major step towards the ideal situation in land administration and management, Ambode said the essence of the reforms were basically to boost private enterprise considering that land is a vital asset with which capital can be accessed, leading ultimately to increased economic activities. The governor expressed optimism that with the land administration reforms, entrepreneurs and individuals will now be able to register their titles faster and have access to capital, which he said will in turn create opportunities for jobs and also wealth creation.

    “This new registry is equipped with a Thomson Reuters suite of technology modules designed to conduct rapid inventory of actual/existing land rights, automate and manage land records and ensure integration of geographic data/Survey. This solution also comes with online consummation of all levels of services rendered by the Lands Bureau. It will streamline the process of registering title and remove the bottlenecks previously associated with the process. The redesigned layout of the registry makes it more service friendly to all who have land transactions to process,” Ambode explained.

    He further revealed that the state has introduced the concept of the “Land Administration Campus.” This entails bringing all agencies and Ministries involved in Land Administration to one location to further ease the process of land registration and titling. Consequently, the Office of the State Surveyor General will be relocated to occupy the office of the Ministry of Environment.

    This will enable the creation of a One –Stop-Shop where the Office of the State Surveyor General, Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development and the Lands Bureau are located within the same complex, to fast-track processing of land titles.

    With the new arrangement, coupled with the deployment of the new Integrated Land Administration and Automation System and the Geographical Information System, it is hoped that the state government would achieve a combined effect of making the process of securing land title seamless, and also engender the highest level of security and integrity of title document.

  • Lagos APC primaries: Matters arising

    The All Progressives Congress conducted its primaries recently to elect candidates for the July 22 local government and councillorship elections. As it is natural in the contest of this nature, tempers were high and there were issues which arose from complaints by members of the party who did not agree with the party’s position of returning some candidates on the principle of consensus.

    This has continued to generate reactions till date.   Such aggrieved group called this principle imposition while the party based its argument on the principle of consensus and party supremacy. The fierce nature of the contest was not unexpected because Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in two years has opened up the economic potentials of the state through massive infrastructure that has made Lagos a very viable state economically with an improved annual Internally Generated Revenue of N302 billion which is more than that of 30 states put together. There are Local Council Areas in Lagos State that generate more revenue than many state governments.

    Before I am misunderstood of supporting imposition, I wish to make it clear that I am a believer in free choice in a democracy but at the same time, democracy comes with its own challenges and peculiarities depending on the political environment. I have read recently in the media the grievances of groups and individuals within the APC who allegedly felt short-changed during the conduct of the primaries and have been expressing their anger through newspaper advertorials and sponsored articles.

    The alleged main sponsor of this group is Dr. Muiz Banire, a former commissioner in the state, who was in government for an unbroken 12 years as special adviser and commissioner and presently, a national officer of the APC. If anybody should accuse APC leaders of imposition, it should not be Banire who himself was a beneficiary of the same system since 1999. Banire was a lecturer at the Lagos State University when he was picked by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a special adviser and later commissioner.

    Not a few people kicked over his  choice but he stood his ground because he saw in him qualities he always see in those he mentored who are today serving the nation in sensitive capacities. A good example is the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and many ministers and governors who cut their political teeth in the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu School of politics and leadership. It is therefore hypocritical of Banire, who was a prime beneficiary of party supremacy and consensus, to now turn against the same process and system that brought him to limelight and derisively call it imposition.

    We all still remember how the present Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the 2007 elections and later became governor after winning the general election. The fact of the matter is that, it is those within the party who because of their inordinate ambitions, create problems for the party by blowing simple disagreements out of proportion as they’re currently doing even though they’ve benefited from the same process in the past.

    The voters out there are not bothered about how the candidate of a party emerged in as much as the party does not breach the electoral act in the process. What they’re concerned with is the quality and eligibility of such candidate and this is why despite the hue and cry about the emergence of Fashola in 2007, during which as many as eight ACN aspirants including the then Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro and some commissioners left the party in annoyance and drew a battle line with Tinubu who was accused of imposing him, he went ahead to win the general election with a landslide.

    The electorate behaved that way because Asiwaju who presented Fashola to them as his successor performed as governor and they believed his successor who was his Chief of Staff would equally perform and they were right. Many of those who left came back after Fashola won.  It was the same system that produced the present governor, Ambode, who against all odds won the primaries of the APC because he was the preferred candidate of the APC leadership. Today, Lagosians are happy with what Ambode is doing to transform Lagos and make life better for them.

    Coming back to the Local Government elections, I don’t see how the matters arising from the conduct of  the last APC primaries would affect the fortunes of the party at the polls because the electorate out there are not unaware of the massive infrastructural transformation that is going on in all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state. About 181 roads covering over 800 kilometres are also being fixed in the second phase of the road rehabilitation programme. Primary and secondary schools have been built and renovated as well as healthcare centres and community halls even as many people in the grassroots have been empowered financially.

    I also learnt that party leaders have held series of meetings with the aggrieved aspirants to rally round the party’s choices so that they can sweep the polls while they will be adequately compensated with other positions in the Local Councils since politics is about give and take in making the tough decision of who gets what, how and when. For the avoidance of doubt, constitutionally, the power to present candidates for elections rests solely with a political party which can employ any method it deems fit to do so. This includes conduct of primary election to select its candidates or through consensus and affirmation. The APC had used a combination of the methods in picking its candidates. No court can query the power of a political party about this except if it breaches any of the laws in the process. The Lagos APC therefore has not breached any law.

    It is not as if the PDP which is the main opposition party does not have its own internal wrangling; in fact the PDP crisis is worse because there are two factions of the party, the one recognised by law as at today is the Sheriff faction while the Markafi faction is yet to know its fate at the Supreme Court. This means that the fate of any PDP candidate is not certain until the Supreme Court finally decides. The electorate would not likely gamble with their votes by leaving sure candidates for unsure ones more so when the party in government in the state is impacting their lives positively.

    My message to Muiz Banire and his group who are bent on making a mountain out of a molehill and trying to incite the ordinary voters who are not members of any political party is that if he feels he is that popular, he and his group should test his popularity in any other political party after all, a political party is  free entry and exit and there are many of them looking for new members.

     

    • Akintunde wrote from Iyana Ipaja Lagos.