The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagosians

  • Lagosians lament police harassment, extortion

    Some residents in Lagos, particularly young men, yesterday complained of police harassment in some parts of the metropolis, under the guise of “stemming crime and criminality,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    They said the policemen go about in commercial buses with Lagos State colours, stopping them and frisking their bodies and checking their belongings.

    The complainants identified the areas where the officers carried out the acts to include: Costain roundabout, Amukoko, Ojuelegba, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Mushin, Ikeja and Okota roundabout.

    Such activities have also been reported at Ogba, Idimu roundabout, Iyana-Ipaja under bridge, Tinubu Square, Idumota, Adeniji Adele top of Bridge, Mile 2, Oshodi, CMS and Ojota bus stop, amongst others.

    One of the complainants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some officers from ‘Area C’, stopped him at Pako area of Aguda, on his way from the bank and arrested him for allegedly being in possession of some money.

    “I went to the bank on February 15, to collect N50, 000 which my father sent to me from abroad, while returning home, some policemen in a patrol vehicle belonging to Area ‘C’ stopped me for a search.

    “They asked what I was doing for a living; I told them I am a student and I presented my school Identity Card to affirm that I was indeed a student.

    “They asked me where I got the money in my pocket from and I told them my father sent it to me and I showed them the papers I used to collect the money.

    “After checking my handset and the e-mails, they collected N30, 000 out of the money and asked me to go.

    “I had to allow it because they were armed and I could not challenge them,’’ the victim said.

    Mr Mike Ogunsanya, a trader, recalled that on February 9, when he was going to Lagos Island for a visa interview, he was stopped at Ojota bus stop for a check, only to end up at Area ‘H’, Ogudu, until his parents were contacted for his bail.

    A civil servant, who sought anonymity, told NAN that some policemen stopped him at Costain roundabout for a ‘routine check’, requested to look at his phone, and he protested and was allowed to go.

    “My brother was stopped with some other young men at Ogba for a search; it was only those with identity cards that were allowed to go.

    “Those without identity cards were asked to enter their bus. You have to bail yourself from the station before you are allowed to go,’’ the civil servant said.

    Sikiru Oriekun, a barber who resides at Ojuelegba, said on June 25 at Ojuelegba, he was stopped for a search by some policemen, using a commercial bus with number plate XL 616 GGE, at about noon.

    “They checked my phone and bag and took me along to their station and called a relation to come and bail him,’’ Oriekun said.

    He recalled that his relation negotiated with the policemen and they set him free after collecting N3,000 as bail.

    When contacted, Lagos command spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said police officers are empowered to stop suspected people believed to be in possession of incriminating items for routine checks.

    Nwosu added that no police officer was, however, permitted to scroll through any handset or laptop on the road, as these were personal items.

    “Police officers can stop people anywhere, anytime, when such persons are suspected to be in possession of incriminating things.

    “It is wrong for police officers and men to check your handset or laptop on the road. Any person could, however, be stopped by the police under stop and search operations.

    “The police can search your bag and pockets if you are suspected to be with incriminating things but not your private gadgets.

    “Any person who feels that his rights have been abused by any police officer, should report such officer to the authority with evidence, for investigation,’’ Nwosu said.

    Nwosu said that many criminals had been apprehended through stop and search activities.

    He, however, urged members of the public to always identify and submit themselves whenever they were stopped by police officers.

     

  • Ambode: Fashola thanks Lagosians

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has reacted to the victory of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as the  Governor-elect, thanking residents  for keeping faith with the model of common widespread development that gives people the dignity to compete and be the best that they can be rather than be a model of patronage a few days to an election.

    The Governor, who spoke  with State House Correspondents at the Lagos House, Marina after the declaration of Mr.  Ambode  as the Governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), added that the people have chosen service, competition and choice over very banal patronage a few weeks to an election.

    He reiterated that this is why he is very happy that all the hard work in the last eight years has been vindicated and that he is delighted that the people of Lagos with this mandate to Mr  Ambode have connected with the choice and model of governance and have chosen the accelerated development where one doesn’t need to know anybody before he gets an opportunity.

    On what advice he has for the newly elected  Governor, Mr Fashola said he would not advice Ambode in the open and that whatever advice he has  for him will largely be privately given and that the important thing is that he should stay connected to the people.

    Earlier in a tweet on the declaration of the results, Governor Fashola said: “Lagos wins. Congrats Ambode. Well done Jimi. Eko Oni Baje ooo”.

     

  • APC hails Lagosians

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has thanked Lagosians for renewing their confidence and trust in the party and its leaders.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said: “Words are not enough to express our gratitude and satisfaction for the boldness and courage displayed by Lagos voters in voting for continuity in the Centre of Excellence.

    “In the face of harassment, intimidation and brigandage from the powers that be, APC lovers showed courageous love to the party and its leaders.

    “APC lovers did not succumb to blatant lies, hate campaigns, politics of the stomach, ethnic and tribal politics and money politics. They were not swayed because they understand what is at stake.

    “They did not see these inducements as low hanging fruits to take advantage of. They were smart, courageous and determined to use the power of votes to sustain the intelligent leadership and governance in Lagos.

    “We have no doubt that the synergy between Abuja and Lagos will add values to the project called Nigeria and make our country to remain credit positive in years to come.”

  • Ikuforiji reassures Lagosians

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji has assured Lagosians that they will not regret voting for the governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He promised that Ambode’s victory would take the state further into sustainable socio-economic and human development.

    The Speaker gave the assurance in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Adebayo.

    He said: “On behalf of my family and my colleagues, I say a big congratulation to all Lagosians of goodwill, for voting for our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “One thing that I will like to assure you all is that you will not regret voting for our candidate and our party.

    “As you all know, what has been the staying power of our state in the last 16 years has been the professionalism in which it’s been run.

    “I can assure you that the future of our state under Ambode will witness a greater level of development in all areas.

    “Lagos State will no longer be treated with so much needless  hatred by the Federal Government.

    “No longer shall our state be denied its rights and privileges as witnessed  before.

    “And no longer shall Lagos be denied all the refunds of the several billions of tax payers’ money that is spent on damaged Federal Government roads.

    “No longer too shall our state be denied the necessary waiver that we urgently need  to actualise all pro-people developmental projects.”

  • Lagosians must reject pdp and its ethnic card

    President Jonathan remains the most divisive president in our nation’s history. In 2011, President Jonathan openly asked non- Yoruba residents in Lagos to join forces to outvote the Yorubas. In 2015, besides the president’s nocturnal meetings with town associations where huge amount of monies allegedly exchanged hands, he appointed ex governor Obi to mobilise Igbos in Lagos. Now the Igbos in Lagos have hearkened to his call. Two weeks ago, they gave block vote to some of their kinsmen to represent some parts of Lagos whose language they can’t speak in Abuja.

    Jimi Agbaje, who has nothing to offer Lagosians beyond his ‘feeling of self worth’, has tried to capitalise on that promising to create a fiefdom for Igbo in Lagos where they will have their own King, a privilege they don’t even enjoy in their own ancestral homes because of their republican nature.

    Now they have dragged the Oba of Lagos into their game of deceit. The Oba, who is the custodian of the culture of his people, has threatened to rain causes on those who work against the interest of Lagos. PDP national body has joined Bode George, Obanikoro, Ogunlewe and Jimi Agbaje who the king claims is his cousin against the king.  There is also a Femi Fani- Kayode, who only two years ago before joining PDP volunteered to lead a battle against any group including the Igbos who dared to lay claim to an inch of Yoruba land.

    The common affliction of Lagos PDP men is opportunism. Ogunlewe and Obanikoro became senators under the dominant party in Lagos and used their ticket to cut deals with the federal government. They don’t even seem to understand that the federal and the state, by our constitution, are coordinates with neither being superior to the other since they both derived their powers from the constitution.  If you think PDP thugs who with the support of police pulled down bill boards, posters and chased motorists off the roads while brandishing broken bottles and knives were ignorant, wait for Jimi Agbaje and some PDP leading lights defend the shameful act on a national television.

    One of them, more out of mischief, in an answer to a question by a Channels Television crew retorted angrily, did Lagos state governor aspirant pay for his posters? The crooked logic is that if Lagos state enjoys a special relationship with one of its parastatal, such concession must be extended to the federal government. If we extend the argument further, then Lagos state should be able to have access to the use of one the air craft’s in the presidential fleet out of which the president sometimes deploys as many as three for political campaigns.

    Or put differently, since The Ports Authority located in Lagos is known to have always made huge contribution towards reelection of all sitting presidents since 1999, Lagos should ask for its own share or resort to self help using thugs like PDP.

    Driven by opportunism and bereft of vision, PDP has nothing to offer Lagos… Besides one or two kilometers of Lagos -Ibadan expressway constructed by Ogunlewe as Minister of Works under Obasanjo at a period it was alleged about N300 billion budgeted for road construction went in to fighting the 2003 presidential election, all we can remember him for was converting party thugs to traffic controllers, which led to clashes and chaos on Lagos road. He was also on record as supporting and encouraging Obasanjo who illegally sat on federal allocations despite court pronouncements.

    Obanikoro’s short stint as Minister of State for Defence was a disaster for Lagos in particular and other Yoruba states in general. Intoxicated by federal power under a Jonathan presidency whose other name is impunity, Obanikoro according to Governor Fashola, used soldiers to stop ongoing public work in Lagos claiming the land belongs to the federal government. He has also been accused of deploying soldiers including some hooded security personnel to intimidate opposition leaders during the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections last year.

     

    Agbaje, who has never managed anything beyond his drug shop, is ill equipped to manage a state as complex as Lagos. Lagosians should troop out in two days time to vote for a party with vision, a party with record of achievements to end the dreams of opportunists bent on playing the ethnic card to cause disharmony in Lagos.

  • April 11th: Lagosians must vote progressives

    April 11th: Lagosians must vote progressives

    SIR: From time immemorial, Lagos state has always proved itself as a progressive state by voting into office, the progressive parties like AG, UPN, AD, AC, ACN, and now APC. Even when former President Obasanjo’s PDP tsunami swept through the south west region in 2003, Lagos state remained standing and will always remain standing like the iroko tree and rock of Gibraltar in the hands of the progressives because of the dynamism, sophistication and enlightenment of the people which is part of our historical heritage and pride as a people.

    In the last eight years of building on the pathfinder trail put in place by his dogged and focused predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babatunde Fashola has had to contend with the enormity and burden of the task of maintaining, renovating and building public infrastructures in order to actualize the Lagos of our dreams and he has done well.

    Worth mentioning is the fact that because of the economic status of Lagos in the life of the country and as a former federal capital, the progressive government of Lagos state has been responsible for not only meeting up to the needs and aspirations of Lagosians, but also cleaning up, renovating and reconstructing facilities worn out by federal government economic activities as a result of the abandonment of Lagos state, the former federal capital which responsibly deserved a special status because of its strategic importance in the life of the country but has been ignored till date.

    In the discharge of its mandate, the Lagos state government has lived up to its constitutional responsibilities to the good people of Lagos through massive construction of roads, bridges and drainages, enhancement of security of life and property through modern standard equipping of the security agencies and lighting up the roads, building of health facilities to world standards across the state, provision of innovative mass transportation system through the BRT, building of jetties and provision of its accessories for an efficient water transport system, ensuring  stress free commuting on the roads through the creation of Traffic Radio, LASTMA to ensure free flow of traffic, provision of traffic lights at strategic junctions, roads signs and lane markings to allow for safe driving, establishment of  the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) to enhance the capacity of drivers, reducing road accidents and fatalities through restriction of okada riders from the highways, combating environmental degradation and abuse through creation of public parks, gardens and beautification of the environment via tree planting, building of affordable mass housing for the citizenry, establishment of agricultural farms, awards of bursaries and scholarships to indigent students in institutions of learning, ensuring public safety through the establishment of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos  State  Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), equipping and decentralization of the Lagos State Fire service, reinvigorating LASEMA, among several others.

    The progressive APC government in Lagos has even gone further to embark on the building of a world class road and mass light rail network to link Lagos state and Nigeria with our neighbouring West African countries through the construction of the Lagos-Badagry expressway corridor to enhance easy and free flow of goods and persons in line with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) treaty on movement of goods and persons across borders; a duty that is the statutory function of the federal government, but which it has abdicated to our collective shame.

    The massive increase in IGR by the Lagos state government today which is responsible for the endearing development strides that we have witnessed in the last 16 years and which has made the state to be less dependent on federal allocation and an envy of other states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as a role model of responsible governance beyond our borders was laid by an economic genius like Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. Under his watch, the State Treasury Office (STO) revolutionized the way Lagos State finances were raised, budgeted, managed and planned. In his six years as the Lagos State accountant-general, the state’s financial performance improved visibly with the budget performing at a remarkable average of 85% annually.

    Therefore, in the light of the foregoing, one can only admonish voters in Lagos state to realize that the economic prosperity of Nigeria is tied to the economic prosperity of Lagos and now that the wind of change has brought about a new dawn at the federal level, it is only appropriate for us to tap into it and benefit from the federal presence which was our bane in the second republic and even now in the fourth republic by consolidating on the responsible and responsive governance that we have witnessed in Lagos state in the last 16 years by voting for Akinwunmi Ambode. Eko O ni ba je O!

     

    • Nelson Ekujumi,

    Surulere, Lagos

  • The barbaric assault on Lagosians

    SIR: We in the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate, (CPPM), condemns in strong terms the recent barbaric, crude, uncivilized, undemocratic, provocative, irresponsible, inciting, reckless, undemocratic, unconstitutional and terrorist assault on the fundamental and democratic rights of Lagosians by a group named Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN).

    In as much as we recognize the constitutional right of freedom of citizens to protest or hold demonstrations, it must be done with civility and absolute respect for the democratic rights of other Nigerians and the constitution. The barbaric and unconstitutional conduct of CCN in assaulting the economic and fundamental rights of Lagosians through destruction of political party billboards, banners and posters as well as terrorizing innocent road users is highly provocative, despicable and condemnable.

    From our investigations, the CCN is allegedly owned and funded by Mr. Gani Adams, the factional leader of OPC who was allegedly awarded recently the contract for the protection of Nigerian waterways and oil pipeline with effect from March 16, 2015 under the name Donyx Global Concept among other militants’ owned companies by the Federal Government of Nigeria. We are also aware that all the companies recently awarded oil pipeline protection contract by the Federal Government are owned by militants who have publicly threatened national peace and security if in their words, President Jonathan is not re-elected.

    In the light of the above assault of the economic and democratic rights of Lagosians and the constitution, we want to ask if the recent disruption of the economic life and intimidation of Lagosians from exercising their fundamental rights is part of the oil pipeline contract job of Donyx Global Concept of the OPC? Again, is this part of the grand design to cause mayhem in parts of the country starting with Lagos so as to engineer another postponement of the 2015 general elections on the grounds of insecurity?

    Therefore, our committee is hereby demanding the following: Immediate investigation and arrest of the leaders of (CCN) for this breach of public peace: Immediate prosecution of the leaders of this lawless group for violations of relevant laws: Immediate apology to the good people of Lagos State by the Nigeria Police for not living up to their constitutional responsibility by allowing these flagrant violations of the laws to occur and that: The security agencies should rise up to their constitutional responsibility by ensuring a peaceful pre, during and post 2015 general elections.

    We are warning that Nigerians are desirous of participating in a free, fair, transparent and credible 2015 general elections and every hand should be on deck to ensure a successful exercise. All agents of evil and anti democratic elements are hereby warned to stay off our democratic path, lest they be crushed.

     

    • Nelson Ekujumi

    Executive Chairman, CPPM.

  • Day Lagosians marched for freedom

    Day Lagosians marched for freedom

    All Progressives Congress (APC) members held a solidarity march in Lagos at the weekend to sensitise Lagosians to the importance of the rescheduled March 28 presidential election. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI and Musa Odoshimokhe, who joined the walk from Maryland, Ikeja, to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, report. 

    •Tinubu, Osinbajo, Aregbesola walk for APC’s victory

    It was a long walk. It was energy sapping and strenuous, but full of fun and excitement. Its organisers –  the Lagos State chapter of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation – simply called it “March for Change”.

    According to its Coordinator in the Centre of Excellence, James Abiodun Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, the 9.2-kilometre march was primarily to send a signal to the Federal Government that Lagos – Nigeria’s political heartbeat and commercial hub – is ready for the March 28 and April 11 general elections and to psychologically reawaken Lagosians that the days of liberty and freedom are around the corner.

    Besides, it was to drum up support for the party’s presential standard bearer, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and other candidates of the party in the rescheduled presidential/National Assembly and governorship/State Assembly elections.

    The trek had the trappings of the Great Trek of the 1830s in apartheid South Africa, when the Boers (Dutch/Afrikaans), marched eastward in search of freedom.

    The record five-hour walk, which attracted Lagosians from all walks of life, literally brought Lagos Mainland to a standstill on Saturday.

    As early as 7am, participants had massed at the Maryland Junction for the March for Change, which kicked off at about 8am.

    By 8.00 am, National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was on the starting line to kick off the march. With him were party leaders, including Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, national and state lawmakers and all candidates of the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

    The candidates, who were led by APC presidential running mate Prof Yemi Osinbajo, include: governorship standard bearer Mr Akinwumi Ambode and senatorial candidates from the East, Cestral and West districts.

    They are: Seantors Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa and Oluremi Tinubu for the East and Central zones and House of Representatives member Olamilekan Solomon for the West Senatorial zone.

    The trio of Ashafa, Olamilekan and Senator Tinubu later took turns to speak for the candidates in their districts at the Teslim Balogun Statdium, where a solidarity rally was held to drop the curtain on the historic march.

    Tinubu said it was a walk for freedom and a walk for a new Nigeria where the commonwealth of the people would be judiciously used to better the lives of the masses and not the few, who, he noted, have lorded it over others.

    Wearing branded T-shirts bearing the inscription,  ’Buhari+Osinbajo, Time for Change Now’, fez caps and sneakers, the party leaders repeatedly said Nigerians will no longer tolerate a shift in the time-table.

    For the five hours that the March for Change lasted, Yaba/Ojuelegba bound motorists were restricted to the service lane by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

    Medical personnel of the Lagos State Emergency Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) were also deployed in the route.

    Resident-settlers from the East and North (Igbo and Hausa) trooped out en masse and put up spectacular displays as they danced to pro-APC slogans and songs to demonstrate support for the presidential bid of Buhari/Osinbajo and other APC candidates.

    Youths, students, civil society groups, traders, professional bodies and artisans participated in the walk in anticipation of the impending freedom from oppression and impunity.

    The march was electrifying. Music blared from the loud speakers mounted on buses branded in the APC colours.

    Participants responded rhythmically to lyrics from the record by the popular Yoruba ‘Ewi’  exponent, Olanrewaju Adepoju, which extols the rare qualities of the APC presidential candidate.

    Businesses boomed and praise-singers got patronage.

    Banners of various sizes and shapes with inscriptions, such as: “Marching into the future with Buhari/Osinbajo”; “Igbo youths adopt Buhari”; “Common Sense Revolution”; and “Civil Society Groups for Buhari”, were on display.

    Marching for Change were: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who stood in for her principal, Governor Babatunde Fashola; Lagos State governor’s wife Dame Abimbola Fashola, Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Lagos State APC deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; House of Representative member, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and former Lagos Information and Strategy Commissioner Mr. Dele Alake.

    Others are: APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed; Lagos State APC Women Leader Mrs Kemi Nelson; Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; Alhaji Mutiu Are; Tokunbo Wahab; Lanre Odubote; Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe; Bola Ilori; Folami Mohammed, Fuad Oki and Ayodele Adewale.

    Gospel songstress Kenny St. Brown was on the band stand at the Teslim Balogun Stadium to usher in the army of walkers at about 12.30pm.

    Addressing a the crowd of supporters, Tinubu noted that Nigerians have suffered so much that if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets a renewal of mandate, Nigeria’s economy will bleed to death.

    Tinubu thanked the people for their support for the APC, noting that the long walk will not be in vain.

    His words: “I thank all of you for participating in Walk for Your Freedom, the march for change. We would have elected a new president to govern us on February 14, but they changed the date to March 28. But today we are marching for that change.

    “We are marching for Buhari/Osinbajo on March 28; we are marching for common sense revolution. And for Lagos State, we are marching for Ambode/Adebule on April 11.”

    Aregbesola went biblical, linking the appalling situation in the country to the story of Jonah who was sent by God to deliver a message to the people of Nineveh, but disobeyed and tried to escape from God.

    Aregbesola said: “I am sure both Muslims, Christians and traditionalists would have heard about the story of Jonah in the Bible, he was sent by God to deliver his message but he stubbornly refused to obey God.

    “Jonah tried to escape but God allowed him to get to the middle of the sea and He caused a storm. When the people in the ship inquired about the reason for the storm and God revealed to them that Jonah was responsible. They had to throw Jonah over board to have peace. That is how Nigerians have rejected President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “The man Jonathan was born good by his parents, hence, they christened him Goodluck. But, as he grew, he departed from the way of the Lord. Just like the biblical Jonah disobeyed God, Jonathan was sent by God to rebuild Nigeria but he has destroyed it. He has been rejected and his party has been rejected as well.

    “But, unlike the Biblical Jonah, Nigerians won’t throw him overboard but take him out of the Presidential Villa with our ballot and send him back to his Otuoke country home in Bayelsa State.”

    Osinbajo urged the people to vote en masse for the party, noting that it was time for God to liberate the people from the hands of the oppressors.

    Osinbajo said: “By the grace of God, we will not be held down by the PDP misrule in Lagos State and other parts of the country. God will save our country. I know that APC will deliver on its promises.

    “No amount of intimidation will stop the people from making their choice. Let us all collect our Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to make the change that the country has longed for.”

    Ambode said Lagos State will deliver over 85 per cent of its votes to ensure victory for the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket on March 28.

    He said: “We said we will do a one million-man march and we did it. We thank all those who have participated in the walk which millions of Nigeria have watched live on the television. We will deliver Lagos State to Gen Buhari and continuity shall hold sway in the Centre of Excellence.”

    The Coordinator of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, Faleke, who is the APC candidate for the Ikeja Federal Constituency, praised the APC leaders for enduring 9.2-kilometer freedom walk, an indication that the party is fit to rule.

    He said the party will march to victory and noted that the impressive turn out of the people showed their satisfaction with the development in the state.

    “We will continue in our tradition of excellence. And we are saying that Lagos is ready for the elections and further shifts will no longer be entertained.”

    Alake, who translated PVC as Please Vote for Change, urged Nigerians to vote right and ensure that their votes count.

    Mrs Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism that the rescheduled elections will hold and that the APC will coast to victory.

    The three senatorial candidates said the PDP can never be an alternative to the APC.

    Speaking for the civil society groups, Declan Ihekhire, said the body of activists in the state, have decided to pitch tent with the APC team being led Buhari/Osinbajo.

    He said the perception of Gen Buhari, with his track records will stamp out corruption in the land.

    “This is the only man Nigeria can trust to do the job. We are all aware that corruption is the bane of our society and unless we do something about it this country will continue to sink.

    “That is why we are here and that is why we will continue to mobilise for Buhari and by the grace of God, he will be elected president of this country on March 28.

    Leader of the National Association of the Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest, Oluwatosin Ogungbede, said, Nigerian students were at the receiving end of failed government policy.

    He said the incessant strikes at tertiary institutions have made many students to become hopeless, noting that they were not too sure when they will graduate.

    Ogungbede said with the dwindling resources of parents and the harsh economic realities, the plight of the Nigerian student have been compounded.

    He said: “With over 16,000 students from the Southwest, we will use our ballot power to elect Buhari as the next president of the country.

    “Nigeria has now become a society where a 45-year-old man can no longer get married because of the economic challenges, where a 60 years old man has become a youth just because he cannot feed himself.

    Ilori said the walk for change has gone a long way to show the popularity of the APC amongst Nigerians.

    He said: “You will recall that we started this work for change in Osun, Ogun and we are having the Lagos edition today. It has proven that APC is made up of people who are mentally and physically fit.

    “You can see that our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, who the PDP has so much castigated, has trekked close to 10 kilometers today without resting on the road and was dancing all through.

    “I want to challenge the leadership of PDP to stage a five-kilometer walk in Lagos to test its popularity rating. They have been running documentary against the person of Asiwaju but we saw how Lagosians stood for him during the walk.”

    The clear message that was delivered by the participants is that a further postponement of the elections is not acceptable and that the May 29 handover date must remain sacrosanct. According to observers, the number of people that trooped out to participate in the exercise is an indication that they are fed up with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has ruled the country at the centre since the return to civil rule 16 years ago.

    The banners displayed by those who participated in the event suggest that, in spite of the delay occasioned by the postponement, Nigerians are ready to vote for the candidates of the APC at all levels. Some of the banners read: “March into New Nigeria”; “On March 28 We Stand”; “Sai Buhari”; “Competent Team to Rescue Nigeria”; and “I am Ready for Change”. A long banner displayed at the stadium by the I am Ready Group says: “I am Ready for a Meal a Day”; “I am Ready to Kick-Out Corruption”; “I am Ready for Emp[loyment”; “I am Ready”; “I am Ready”; “I am Ready”.

    The idea of the march from Maryland to the Teslim Balogun Stadium was hatched by the Lagos Coordinator of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, 72 hours prior to the event, to coincide with the arrival of Gen. Buhari in the country from the United Kingdom.

    It is to practically demonstrate the change mantra of the APC and to sensitise Lagosians to vote for the party at different levels during the rescheduled general elections. It was also meant to demonstrate the readiness of Lagosians and the party for the election.

    Faleke said the walk was a psychological reawakening  for the electorate. “It is also meant to send a signal to the PDP that Lagosians  are ready for the elections on March 28 and April 11, 2015,” he added.

    The Coordinator said the party would not tolerate any further shift of the elections. According to him, the reports emanating from the ongoing war against the insurgents in the Northeast indicate that the military is winning the war. “So, there is no reason for not holding the elections on March 28 and April 11,” he noted, adding: “Lagos State is ready; Nigerians are set for the polls; that is why we embarked on the walk show today.

    “The walk is also to say that Nigerians reject the return to the dark age of the use of the Temporary Voters Card (TVC), for the coming elections. There is no going back on the use of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).”

    Faleke said Nigerians were aware of the machinations of the Presidency to win the Southwest at all costs. He said the PDP has resorted to wasting tax-payers’ money on the project. He added that such money could have been used for more meaningful projects, instead of wasting it in the face of decaying infrastructure and other social needs of the people.

    He said: “I want to say that Nigerians have made up their minds and there is going to be a change at the centre by the grace of God. We are also using this occasion to tell the PDP that Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro is not the best product they can offer. His role at the Ekiti election is still being quried.”

    According to speakers, the month of March will go down as an important one in the country’s political calendar because it would mark the freedom of the Nigerians from the yolk of bad governance and impunity. Tinubu said the march from Maryland to Surulere, which is a distance of about 9.2 kilometres, is a march for change, to herald the month of March. He said the PDP postponed the election from February 14 to March 28, as if March 28, which he alluded to as the day of reckoning, would not come.

    The APC National Leader said the ruling party postponed the election because it was afraid of being voted out of power. He said: “I thank all of you for heeding the call to walk for your freedom; for agreeing to march for change. This is the month of March. On February 14, we would have elected a new President to govern us! But, they changed it to March, right? Today, we are in the month of March and we are marching for that change that we desire. We are marching for Buhari and Osinbajo; we are marching for common sense revolution!”

    Tinubu said Nigerians are fed up with the PDP, which has ruled the country for the last 16 years, but has nothing to show for it. He sang a song in Yoruba, alluding to the fact that Nigerians have persevered with the ruling party for a long time, but have no light to iron their clothes.

    He urged Nigerians to vote for APC candidates at all levels, beginning from the presidential election, saying the President has been coming to Lagos in the last couple of weeks to persuade people to vote for him.

    Senator Ashafa said it is obvious that the ruling party has been trying to intimidate the electorates not to vote for the candidates of their choice. His words: “I want to seize this opportunity to thank all of you for supporting us. It is obvious they are trying to intimidate you. Will you be intimidated? Are you ready to vote APC?

    Ambode said the APC has proved a point by undertaking the event dubbed the one million-man march “We said we will do a one million-man march and we did it. Beyond those of us that marched on the streets, others are glued to their television sets, watching this event. He said: “They thought by shifting the day of the election, they could shift our destiny. But, they cannot shift our destiny; our destiny is intertwined with the future of Nigeria; the future of Nigeria is about prosperity.

    “We know that the only party that can give you a prosperous future is the APC. They have been saying that they would retain power at all costs, but power belongs to God. Twenty-one days from today, we are going to elect our new president. We are going to usher in the election with a 21-day fasting and prayers. We will go to all our churches, we will go to all our mosques; nothing can stop our destiny.”

    Ambode thanked all those who took part in the march for supporting the party, saying the PDP has nothing to offer.  He said: “The change we are all asking for is around the corner. Starting from March 28, we will start counting down to this desired change. This change we are asking for will happen if you vote right.” The APC governorship candidate said to the APC, PVC means “please vote for change” and that Buhari/Osinbajo will score about 85 per cent in Lagos come March 28.

    Members of the APC across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) participated in the march. Political office holders and candidates in the forthcoming general elections and their supporters also took part in the march. Besides, thousands of residents lined up the street, along Ikorodu Road, to cheer them.

  • Do the right thing, Lagosians told

    Spirit of Lagos, a non-political, non-religious organisation dedicated to behavioural transformation, has begun a state-wide road tour to sell its Do The Right Thing campaign to the people.

    Its ambassadors have been visiting parks, markets,major bus stops and terminals in all local government areas of the state, urging people to embrace democracy and orderliness.

    The group’s Project Director, Olaniyi Omotoso, said: “We are out in the streets to urge Lagosians to change those attitudes that negate the spirit of Lagos. We are letting them know that it is wrong for people to dispose their waste arbitrarily; it is wrong for people to dash across the roads where there are pedestrian bridges; it is wrong for people to evade taxes and so on and so forth.

    “As the elections are around the corner, the people need to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote according to their conscience, and not along their primordial or parochial sentiments. The people of Lagos must be actively involved in the process of electing those who will be in positions of authority. It is part of their civic responsibility.

    “The Spirit of Lagos, since its inception, has championed attitudinal change campaigns as a way of restoring sanity to Lagos State.

    “Before this current campaign of ‘Do The Right Thing’, we had ‘CHANGE YOUR THINKING’ campaign which has the primary objective of restoring those unique values that made Lagos a safe, just, prosperous and neighbourly place to live in and visit in the past”.

    The team has visited Mushin market, Ojodu Berger, Ijesha Bus Stop, Pako-Aguda, Festac, Ajegunle, Oke Ira in Ogba, Anthony and Okokomaiko among many other places.

  • Obanikoro woos Lagosians for Jonathan

    Obanikoro woos Lagosians for Jonathan

    Former Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has called on the people of Lagos State to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan  at the general elections.

    He described the President as a non-tribal leader, who has always avoided discrimination, nepotism or favouritism.

    Obanikoro, who spoke at a rally organised by the Goodluck Sambo Independent Campaign Group in Badagry, said those opposed to the President’s re-election’s bid are selfish.

    He added: “Jonathan has made Nigeria his constituency and has never discriminated against any tribe. We cannot continue to judge Buhari based on what we think he will do in future. He should be judged by what he did as a former Head of State.”