The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos 2019 election

  • Sanwo-Olu, Agbaje throw jabs at Lagos forum

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mr Jimi Agbaje, yesterday differed on infrastructure, health and other issues critical to  the development of the state.

    The candidates spoke during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Private Sector Interactive Forum with governorship candidates in Lagos.

    Addressing issues of traffic and transport management, Sanwo-Olu said that government was a continuum and vowed  to continue all projects started by his predecessor for the benefit of citizens.

    He said that his plan for traffic was holistic, from road repairs and construction to opening up more means of transportation through waterways and rail, to training and empowerment of traffic officials.

    “For years during the PDP rule, we asked the Federal Government for access to the existing railway corridor, but it was denied. This led us to create the Blue line railway from Okokomaiko to CMS.

    “We need to complete the track because Lagos needs a transportation system outside roads that can move thousands of people daily,” he said.

    Responding, Agbaje said that for 20 years of APC governance in the state, residents were still grappling with traffic congestion; especially issues with trailers parked on bridges along Costain to Apapa.

    “Lagos is one of the two mega-cities of the world that does not have a multi-modal transportation system. It is time we start thinking of multi tiered roads; the world is moving, we cannot afford to be different.

    “The rail project has been on for too long. We need to have big ideas to address problems that are peculiar to Lagos.

    “The way things are presently is not sustainable and it has failed to deliver the sort of impact in the lives of ordinary citizens that should be expected from an economy of Lagos’ magnitude,” he said.

    Agbaje said that the sort of development that Lagos requires should be anchored on improving liveability, expanding the economy and retooling it for the 21st century.

    Sanwo-Olu promised to take the state away from the national grid.

    He said that within   six months of his assumption  of office, he  would deliver about 1000 Megawatts of power supply to the State.

    He said with about 2000 Megawatt of consistent power supply, the power needs of Lagosians would be solved.

    Sanwo Olu  said that  a well thought out regulatory and legal framework is strategic to drive Public Private Partnership (PPP) operations in the State, stressing that when elected, he would deploy global best practices in the engagement of the OPS.

    He said that he would partner with distribution companies to ensure they upscale their power supply to the state, noting that prepaid meters would be provided to residents to ensure accountability and transparency.

    However, Agbaje said he would improve power by 1000 megawatts within his first 18 months, and encourage investment in embedded power projects toward enhancing power supply.

    Speaking on health, Sanwo-Olu noted that the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme would ensure access to affordable healthcare and help build a health care structure to be proud of.

    On his part,Agbaje criticised the present Health Insurance Scheme, saying making it mandatory was another form of taxation that has been making life difficult for the masses.

    He said his administration would have significant developments in health, waste management, education, transportation management and in making use of technology to solve problems.

    Agbaje promised to develop “an ocean economy” and a knowledge driven economy” to enhance the economic well-being of the state and its citizens.

    Besides, Sanwo-olu said that his administration would be innovative about Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in a way that would not exert pressure on the citizens.

    He noted that the private sector remains the engine of economic growth and would continue to create an environment for the private sector to thrive in the state.

    “As a former Commissioner for Commerce & Industry in Lagos, I know that proper collaboration with the private sector leads to more job creation, improved industrial harmony and boosts investment,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    Mr Babatunde Ruwase, President of LCCI, said that engaging the candidates would give exposition that would guide the private sector’s electoral choice.

    He said that the quality of political governance has profound implications for investment environment.

    Ruwase said without a conducive business environment, there cannot be meaningful economic progress.

  • U.S group stages rally for Sanwo-Olu

    Hundreds of supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, under the platform of Pathfinders Group U.S.A, staged a rally yesterday to mobilise voters in Ifako-Ijaye and Ojokoro areas to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other candidates of the party in next year’s general elections.

    The rally, which kicked off from Excellence Hotel in Ogba, Ikeja, took the massive crowd through Ifako-Ijaye APC secretariat and ended at the party’s secretariat in Ojokoro.

    The crowd comprised of youths, men and women wearing branded white T-shirts with the embossed photographs of Samwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as well as the party’s flag and logo.

    The crowd’s solidarity songs blared from speakers mounted on vehicles.

    The people sang and dance in solidarity with Sanwo-Olu and APC.

    Addressing reporters, President of the Pathfinders Group U.S.A, Alhaji Hakeem Yusuf said: “As a group, we are all over Lagos with our campaign activities. We have banners, posters and other souvenirs.

    “We believe that this rally will be an advantage to mobilise more people and create awareness for Sanwo-Olu. We believe in him; we believe in APC; we believe in Lagos; we believe in Nigeria. It is a party of change that is going to give us the dividends of democracy.”

    Yusuf expressed confidence that Sanwo-Olu would win “definitely with a wide margin and by mass votes because the people believe in the APC”.

    He added: “If you see all the development we have been experiencing here, Sanwo-Olu is continuity in Lagos State. You will understand that there is so much rapid development across the state.”

  • AD promises Lagosians equality  

    Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate Owolabi Salis has said his administration will not discrimination anybody irrespective of ethnic background.

    He added that the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos was responsible for the cohesiveness of the state.

    Salis made the promise in Lagos, when the state chapter of Arewa Integrated group declared support for his governorship ambition.

    According to him, Lagos is a cosmopolitan city, where every tribe is well represented and deserves to be carried along in the state’s politics.

    “Most of them are stakeholders; they have lived in Lagos for several years and participated so much in the economy of the state.

    “I think it is time we give them the recognition and put them in government,” he said.

    Salis craved the support of the residents, asking them to back him in returning power to the people.

    He said he was in the governorship race to specifically bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in basic needs like education, housing, health, food, among other things.

    “Lagos deserves freedom from the oligarchy that has been ruling them for many years.

    “Join me in liberating the people from slavery; I want to use AD to empower the people and ensure that the less privileged get the leadership position.

    “My loyalty is to the people and not to any individual.”

    The AD candidate who thanked the group for its support, said he would not renege on his election promises.

    “This endorsement is endorsement of hope to the masses; it is not just about me but about the people,” the candidate said.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Yusuph Mohammed said Salis was endorsed based on his love for the masses.

    “Salis has always been with us and never for once neglected us; today, we give him our full support as he is a man of the people,” Mohammed said.

    The Lagos AD chairman Mr Kolawole Ajayi, urged the people to vote enmass for Salis and other candidates of the party.

    “I urge you to vote all our candidates, as we have in them what can bring relief to the people, and I assure that you will not regret doing so,” Ajayi said.

  • 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)