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Tag: PDP

  • Osun PDP’s spokesperson sacked

    Osun PDP’s spokesperson sacked

    The Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has sacked its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Diran Odeyemi.

    The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bola Ajao, said it was necessary to do so since Odeyemi has shown himself as “an uncontrollable irritant.”

    Last Sunday, Odeyemi, in a statement, accused the State PDP Chairman, Gani Ola-Oluwa, of being high handed and financially reckless.

    A party stalwart, Abiola Ogundokun, said it was ungodly for any PDP candidate to attack Ola-Oluwa, who he said had done so much for the party.

    Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, Ogundokun, who noted that Odeyemi lacked the ground to accuse the party chairman, said those who have control of the grassroots and truly working for the progress of the party could talk with authority.

    He described Odeyemi as “an Almajeri politician looking for what to eat in politics”.

  • Thugs clash, destroy govt property

    Suspected thugs yesterday destroyed property at the Government House, Kaduna.
    They were believed to be loyalists of aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who failed to be nominated as caretaker committee chairmen in the 23 local government areas.
    The clash forced the government to shift the inauguration of the chairmen to Murtala Square.
    Kaduna State PDP’s Public Relations Officer Ibrahim Mansur denied there was any clash.
    He said: “I am aware that the inauguration of caretaker committee chairmen was shifted from State House to Murtala Square because of unexpected crowd that stormed the venue. I am not aware of the clash.
    “Secondly, all of those appointed are credible party members. The governor has made wider consultations before selecting them. Those appointed have served PDP diligently. But what I know is that, you can never satisfy all.”

     

  • Count us out of Fayose’s death-wish advert – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign organisation has distanced itself from the controversial death-wish advertorial authored by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

    In the said advertisement, published in two national newspapers, Fayose had listed a former military head of state, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed who was assassinated in the failed military coup of February 13, 1976. Murtala hailed from Kano State.

    He also listed the former military dictator, the late Gen. Sani Abacha who died in office on June 8, 1998.

    Abacha also hailed from Kano. Fayose had followed it up with the late President Umaru Yar A’dua, who similarly died in office on May 9, 2010, two years after he was elected.

    The Ekiti governor then warned Nigerians against voting for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, predicting that if elected, Buhari too would die in office.

    Reacting to the advertisement on Tuesday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP presidential campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said the views expressed in the publication were personal to Fayose.

    According to him, the message in the said advertorial did not in any way reflect the views of the PDP presidential campaign organisation, adding that questions regarding the advertisement should be directed to the Ekiti State Governor.

    Fani-Kayode said: “Governor Ayo Fayose is a distinguished leader of our party. A democratically elected governor and someone we have immense respect and affection for, but he released this advert in his own name.

    “That represents his own personal opinion which he is entitled to. What I can tell you on our part as the presidential campaign organisation is that does not represent the opinion of the campaign organisation or indeed that of the President.

    “It is his opinion which he is entitled to and he is somebody that we have immense respect for, he is a leading member of the party. I have spoken with him and we respect him, but for anybody to suggest that this is the position of the presidential campaign organisation or President Goodluck Jonathan that will be most unfair.

    “If we wanted to say something like that we will say it without any kind of apology but of course we will never say that because we believe in the sanctity of life. Age is not a function of how long you will live. It is important that we recognize the fact that age is not an indication of how long somebody will live.

    “We believe strongly that we must continue to show immense respect for the person of Gen. Buhari in terms of his person and his health, though we believe it is important to always raise questions about facts, you know what these questions are and we will continue to raise them.”

  • PDP vows to wrest power from APC in Kwara

    PDP vows to wrest power from APC in Kwara

    Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday declared its determination to win all elective positions in next month’s general elections.

    Its governorship candidate, Senator Simon Ajibola, spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the inauguration of the party’s campaign teams for the elections.

    He linked the party’s fate with the electoral fortunes of President Goodluck Jonathan and asked members to redouble efforts at convincing voters to make him their choice.

    Ajibola said the goal was achievable if every member of the party works hard for victory.

    The campaign council is under the leadership of a prominent businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya. A former governorship aspirant, Deacon John Dara, and the party’s pioneer chairman in the state, Alhaji Kunle Sulyman, are co-Directors-General.

    He said: “We are aiming for landslide in Kwara State. For a people eager for change, this is easily achieveable if we work hard. We shall win the 24 House of Assembly seats; we shall win the six House of Representatives seats available; we shall win the three senatorial seats; we shall surely win the governorship seat of Kwara State and finally we shall achieve landslide victory for our president.

    “President Jonathan’s victory is critical to our success in Kwara State. Let us work hard for him and for all PDP candidates in the state. We must educate our people not to reward the promoters of political violence. We must not be blackmailed into voting for people who are desperate for power.

    “For the sake of peace and stability, let Niger Delta finish their second term, we can then rotate power back to the North.”

    He described the coming election as a viable opportunity for people who wanted a change in the way things were being done and appealed to members of the 217-member committee to ensure the party wins at every polling unit.

    Ajibola also appealed to aggrieved members of the party to put aside their grievances in the interest of the party and asked members to ensure genuine reconciliation to empower the party to win.

    Senator Gbemisola Saraki and Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) were not at the event.

    Also speaking, Minister of National Planning Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman said the governorship election was not about religion, but  freedom.

    He urged all major stakeholders to support Jonathan and Ajibola.

  • N250m campaign fund divides Oyo PDP

    N250m campaign fund divides Oyo PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has fallen into disarray, following disaffection generated by how the N250 million fund released by President Goodluck Jonathan for his campaign in Ibadan, the state capital, last week, was spent.

    Jonathan and other national leaders were at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on January 12 for his presidential campaign. The party’s governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, was given the party’s flag at the campaign rally.

    A source told The Nation that some party top leaders were not happy because they did not get their “due”.

    The source said the money was not evenly distributed among party elders who mobilised their supporters for Jonathan and other candidates, thereby sparking anger and silent protest.

    Such funds are collected by a serving minister who is expected to further distribute to all stakeholders for effective campaign.

    But according to the source, the N250 million released to Oyo State has been largely expended with only N75 million balance.

    Some elders, it was learnt, have been complaining , saying they were given only a paltry sum.

    A former senator and some other leaders had threatened to expose the deal should the alleged cheating go unaddressed.

    A chieftain, Yekini Adeojo, called a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday to resolve the issue.

    The outcome of the meeting was unknown.

  • ‘Re-elect all PDP lawmakers’

    ‘Re-elect all PDP lawmakers’

    The Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary, Chief Solomon Ogba, has urged voters to re-elect both performing and non-performing lawmakers for the sake of continuity.

    Ogba, who spoke at the weekend at the party’s kick-off rally in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, said the non-performing ones deserved to “repeat the class”.

    Ogba said: “We are appealing to all Isoko people to vote back all PDP candidates, those who perform and the ones who did not. We are aware that if somebody did not perform well in exams, he or she has to repeat and that is what we urge you people to do for all PDP candidates for the sake of continuity.

    “We are saying this because if you people decide to join the opposition party because the people you gave your mandate to did not perform or failed, it will not only affect them but the entire Isoko nation and that will take us nowhere in the state or at the national levels.”

    Speaking at the rally, members representing Delta South senatorial district, Isoko North/South federal constituency, Isoko North and South constituencies at the Delta State House of Assembly appealed to Isoko people to vote massively for the PDP in the February general elections.

    The members are Senator James Manager, representing Delta South, Leo Ogor, deputy majority leader, representing Isoko North/South federal constituency, Tim Owhefere, Isoko North constituency and Johnson Erijo, Isoko South constituency II made the passionate appeal to the Isoko people during Leo Ogor’s kick-off campaign in Ozoro. The lawmakers urged Isoko people to forgive them if they erred.

    Secretary to the Delta State Government Mr. Ovuizuorie Macaulay also appealed to Isoko people to vote for the PDP candidates from President Goodluck Jonathan to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and others.

  • PDP ‘ll reclaim Rivers State

    PDP ‘ll reclaim Rivers State

    Chief Mike Elechi is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Rivers State and a strong supporter of the governorship candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike. In this interview with Precious Dikewoha in Port Harcourt, the state capital, he says PDP will  reclaim the state.

    You have very strong feeling in your support for Jonathan, why?

    Firstly, as a Rivers man, and as a Niger Delta man, for President Goodluck Jonathan, this is the first time the Niger Delta man is ruling the country against the thinking of other tribes in Nigeria. As a PDP member I believe that I cannot leave PDP and support another party.  I am supporting Mr. President because there is no better alternative for me than to support him. The opposition can’t give us a better alternative, they are talking of change but we are talking of phenomena change. My advice for Rivers people is to keep hope and to believe in God that He will always do his miracle. Of course, God has a way to answer our prayer especially now that our support for Jonathan will bring back all the things we have lost in Rivers State.

    With the look of things, Jonathan versus Buhari would be a very tough game to play, what do you think?

    No, I don’t see anything tough in this game. Look, one thousand Buharis is not equal to one Jonathan. It is not possible; we cannot leak our vomit or go back to the days of draculean law, military dictatorship. We are in democracy, the world is on digital age, I think that Buhari belongs to the past; if people can say the truth he should not drag us back to religious bigotry and chauvinism.  Buhari was the chairman of Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTF) and I know what he did. So, he is not a match for Jonathan. So if opposition had presented a credible candidate, I would have known what to say.

     Are you aware that the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northern part of the country is a very big challenge for Jonathan?

    I sympathise with Mr. President on the issue of Boko Haram, to be honest with you. When he came into power four years ago, I saw him as a man who has no political constituency. Nigerian is a tripod country. Everything we do depends on tribe, religion, military constituency but Jonathan does not belong in any of these. He does not belong to any political group; he is not from Yoruba, Ibo or Hausa, the tribes that people respect in this country. He is just a peasant fisherman without hope. And if by the benevolence of God he became the President of this country. We should support him. Of course, he has proven that he can do it. Look, there is insurgency in all parts of the world, so why are we crucifying Jonathan over the issue of Boko Haram. The western world cannot even help us solve the problem, if the Presidential candidate of the APC,  Mohammadu  Buhari said once he becomes the president the issue of insurgency would be a thing of the past, then he should also know that if he loses the election the issue of Boko Haram would also be solve.

    What is the chance of the PDP in  Rivers State?

    I thought you would have asked me what is the chance of APC wining Rivers State. One thing you must know is that Rivers State is a PDP state. If you take your mind back you would know that everybody in the APC today did not willingly or voluntarily resign from the PDP. Therefore, there is still PDP blood ruining in them. Rivers State election will be the most peaceful election in the history of the state contrary to what people are thinking. This is because the electorates are now more educated than before and they know what to do. If some miscreants in PDP has decided to change ship because God has buttered their bread then let us see at the poll.  Without violence, I have this confidence that PDP is going to reclaim the stolen mandate in Rivers State. If the government of Rivers State believes they are popular they should open the State House of Assembly and the judiciary. These are the issues we should be asking questions, in Rivers State are we in the military zoon where people will lock the three arms of Government? If what is happening in Rivers State was to be happening in Abuja, don’t you think that they would have been calling for Jonathan’s impeachment?  You can see that the press is controlled by the opposition and yet they are operating freely. There is no president that is humble and unassuming like President Goodluck Jonathan. Some who are talking today as past Presidents, we know what they did. They even sent troops to wipe out some community.

    Some of your supporters have argued that picking a woman deputy governor will give your party an edge over the APC in the state…

    I believe it is time to give the women the sense of belonging, don’t forget that the deputy governor in waiting comes from the bloc called Riverine. She is from Harry’s Town in Buguma and married to a Bony man. She is a good technocrat and she can shape the incoming administration.  It is also a way to allow women participation in the Politics of Rivers State. If a woman can become deputy governor, it shows that one day a woman can become a governor. PDP is made up for good governance, what we are doing is what real Nigerian should do, this is an era where women should be given a chance in everything. The woman who was giving an opportunity as a running mate is not just a woman; she is professionally grounded to make Rivers State heaven on earth.  And that would assist us win APC in the state.

    How would you assess INEC on the distribution of PVC’s?

    I said it to the INEC personnel that came to my ward recently that INEC was not prepared for the last exercise of distribution of PVC and registration exercise. This is because it took them from 2011-2014 to complete this exercise and they added five days to do update.  In your sense of reasoning and thinking do you believe that if INEC will delay from  2011 to 2014 to distribute the PVC  then how many years do you think it will take them to give out PVC to  millions of Nigerians who have  come of age. The funny thing is that, out of these millions they are giving them only five days to update. In ward 4 Elele in Ikwerre Local government area which is my ward, ours was zero capture. So we started ab initio for new registration. They brought the old equipment they used in 2011 registration exercise and at the end of the day half of this ward was not registered. So INEC is not ready for the election. I laugh at them when they say they are using card reader, when they do not have good hands, now they want to use card reader.  Tell me where they would see light to charge the battery; my brother INEC is not ready to conduct the election.  But we are going to wait for them at the Election Day, but with what I saw during the PVC collection and voters card registration I declared INEC unfit to conduct 2015 election.

  • APC uncovers plot to attack Buhari’s convoy in Ekiti

    … It’s not true – PDP

    The Ekiti State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday said it had uncovered an alleged plot by agents of Governor Ayo Fayose to attack the convoy of its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who visits the state for a rally on Saturday.

    The party alleged that thugs have been mobilized to ambush convoys of APC members on their way to the venue of the campaign rally and cause mayhem on the day of the rally.

    The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement on Monday said some Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) members have been recruited as “task force members” who has commenced the task of removing the posters of Buhari from where they were pasted ahead of Saturday.

    Olatunbosun said the posters were being removed despite the fact that the party had paid signage fees to the state Signage Agency, describing the action as “highest height of desperation.”

    The APC spokesman alleged that Fayose had already hired members of OPC with alleged help by the self-styled Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dele Olugbemi, himself a member of Dr. Fredrick Fasheun’s faction of the group, to attack the convoys of APC members on their way to the rally as PDP did in Rivers State.‎

    The OPC members, the party said, were engaged as task force men remove the posters of APC candidates. They are also to strike at the campaign grounds to cause stampede, the party alleged.

    “Fayose’s desperation knows no bounds. He took The Punch front page advertorial on Monday depicting that Buhari will die in office like three other Presidents from the North died in office.

    “This is dangerous for our national unity and ethnic harmony. Fayose is dangerous to Nigeria’s unity and the earlier the authorities, Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular appreciate this, the better for us as a nation,” Olatubosun explained.

    He said the OPC members were already in town to be deployed to entry points to Ado-Ekiti where they would ambush APC members on their way to the campaign grounds.

    Olatunbosun revealed that so far, the government-backed OPC men had removed Buhari’s posters pasted in his campaign office in Ado-Ekiti as well as those pasted in the party’s office in the state capital.

    “This is a clear case of undermining the peace pact brokered by eminent international leaders last week‎.

    “It is sad that after President Jonathan campaigned in Ekiti State, Fayose sent signage officials and OPC thugs to be removing our candidates’ posters after paying necessary fees to the agency.

    “Fayose’s hatred for Buhari knew no bounds, as his aide was behind a fake medical report on Buhari, declaring him as a prostate cancer patient.

    “Fayose’s aide forged the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital‎ letter and forged the signature of a non-existent consultant to declare Buhari as a prostate cancer patient,” he stated.

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the allegation as a “figment of APC allegation,” saying it harbors no plan to attack a candidate whose campaign is being trailed by health challenges and certificate controversy.”

    The PDP Secretary in the state, Tope Aluko, absolved Fayose of the alleged plot, saying the governor is busy leading the party’s campaign for its national and state Assembly candidates.

     

  • Jonathan has been fair to North – PDP

    Jonathan has been fair to North – PDP

    As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) starts its presidential campaign in the north, the party has said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has been fair to the region.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, said the administration has been very fair to the north in terms of projects, political appointments and establishment of Almajiri schools.

    He said: “The present administration has done a lot more for the three zones in the north than any of the administration before it in the areas of agriculture, education, roads, railways and many more.”

    Speaking on the activities of Boko Haram in the northeast, Metuh said the sect would have overrun half of the country if not for the person and character of President Jonathan.

    “The problem that we have in the northeast to deal with is insurgency. It is not the making of this government, but this government has tried as much as possible to contain it.

    “If not for the character, candour, the personality of the President, these insurgents would have overrun more than half of Nigeria. We would have been under occupation of terrorists if not for the determination, the style and the character and personality of the President,” Metuh stated.

    Sounding optimistic about the February 14 presidential poll, the party boasted that the PDP would win convincingly in the six geo-political zones in the country.

    He said: “PDP will win in the North-West, North-Central, North East, South-South, South-East and South-West. APC will not win in any of the zones and our victory will be very convincing.”

    On the reduction in the pump price of petroleum products by the Federal Government, the PDP dismissed insinuations that the action was politically motivated.

    “It has nothing to do with politics. This is not the first time that we have had fuel price decrease in this country. You will recall that when the late President Umaru Yar A’dua came into office, he reduced the pump price from N75 to N65. And it was on N65 for a very long time. That was not politics.

    “In this particular instance, oil price crashed in the world and the government and the Minister of Petroleum Resources have said that based on the international price of oil, that there should be a reduction in Nigeria. It has nothing to do with election.

    “If the of oil price remains as it is, Nigerians will be yearning for more decrease and there cannot be any justification for any increase. And this government cannot increase this fuel price as long as the price remains as it is in the world market. What Nigerians should be asking for now is a complete deregulation of the industry so that it would be reflective of the world price,” he said.

  • Why Lagosians should reject PDP, by Fashola

    Why Lagosians should reject PDP, by Fashola

    • Ambode: I ‘ll build on Tinubu’s, Fashola’s legacies

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said at the weekend that Lagosians will not vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the Federal Government has neglected the state in the last 16 years.

    The governor also faulted the candidature of Mr. Olujimi Agbaje, who is the PDP flag bearer, saying that he lacks the understanding of statecraft, budgeting and financial management. He said Lagos State is too strategic and critical to Nigeria, West Africa and the entire continent to be entrusted to “a beginner and an experimenter.”

    Fashola, who addressed party supporters at Ikorodu, said when Lagosians recall how the PDP-led Federal Government opposed the creation of additional five local governments in Ikorodu Division, they will reject Agbaje at the poll.

    The governor said while the former Accountant-General and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Akin Ambode, himself as the Chief of Staff and former Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) played prominent roles in the establishment and survival of the councils under Tinubu Administration, Agbaje’s party hailed the seizure of local government allocations.

    Fashola said it was at that critical time that Ambode’s incisive wit and experience in financial re-engineering came to the fore, as he suggested a financial creativity formula that made the administration to tackle the challenge.

    He also chided President Goodluck Jonathan for maladministration, stressing that he has failed in all sectors and inflicted pains on the country through sheer ineptitude. Fashola alerted the nation to plans by the Federal Government to increase import duty, warning that transporters and other Nigerians will be further exposed to economic hardship.

    Exuding confidence, Ambode, who rode in an open Sport  Utility Vehicle (SUV) with the governor, said: “We have a tradition of excellence to continue to build on. Do we need trial and error in Lagos? No. That is why we must vote for the APC.”

    The governor and the flag bearer  got a rousing welcome at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Primary School Ground, the venue of the mega rally. Brooms, the symbol of the party, filled the air. jubilating supporters were dancing and singing. On the stage to thrill them were ace musicians-Mrs. Abeni Salawa and Buga. There were other artistes – madam Surutu, Lawori, Iyabo Oko and Ojo Arowosafe (Fadeyi Oloro).  Party followers came from Kosofe, Somolu, Bariga, Ijede, Imota, Epe, Agbowa, Ikosi and other towns from Okorodu Division.

    The rally, which was presided over by the party chairman,  Otunba Oladele Ajomale, was hosted by the Ikorodu APC leaders, including former Deputy Governor Abiodun Ogunleye, former Secretary to the Government Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Mrs. Folake Shokunbi Kalokalo and Pa Olu Alogba.  Party flags were presented to Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), House of Representatives candidate for Ikorodu Constituency Jimi Benson, House of Assembly flag bearer for Ikorodu Constituency 1 Mr Solaja and his Constituent 11 counterpart, Hon. Sunai Agbubiade, by the party chairman.

    Ashafa, who spoke on behalf of the candidates, promised a robust legislative agenda for Lagos, adding that  federal legislators from the state will press for special status for the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The massive rally was witnessed by Fashola’s wife, Abimbola, Ambode’s wife, Bolanle, the deputy governor, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Secretary to the Government and Ambode’s running mate Dr. Oluranti Adebule, formers Deputy Governors Sarah Sosan and Olufemi Pedro, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Hon. Adeola Olamilekan, Mrs. Toun Ajomale, the campaign team leader, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Chief Kayode Olowu, former House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Joko Pelumi, Primate Charles Odugbesi, Women Leader Chief Kemi Nelson, Hon. Fuad Oki, Mr. Denge Anifowose, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi and Alhaji Musbau Gafar, who rendered the opening prayer.

    Other party chieftains at the rally were Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Hon. Hakeem Sulaiman Oris, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Lateef Ibirogba, Abiodun Salam, Paul Kalejaye, Hon. Samuel Adejare, Mrs. Adenrele Ogunsanya, Iyaloja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Ademorin Kuye, and Jide Oshikoya.

    Ogunleye, who was the first leader to speak, enjoined the people to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) from the electoral commission. He urged the people to vote and defend their votes. He said: “The shoddy distribution of the cards is suspicious. By now, only those attaining 18 should be collecting them. Adults should have collected before. I have a message for you. Vote and defend your votes. PDP has hatched a plot to buy the voter’s cards.

    “Lagos belongs to our party. We will win because our two governors-Tinubu and Fashola-have performed. In  2007, I said at a reception that Fashola will perform. He performed. Now, I am assuring you that Ambode will perform better than Fashola. Don’t be intimidated by the PDP. Be prepared and be vigilant.”

    Basorun, who spoke after Ogunleye, also advised the people to collect their cards, adding that it is their electoral weapon on the election day. He said: “Change Jonathan and Change Nigeria for better. We have been having rallies since the days of Awolowo. But, we have not seen a huge crowd like this. If you have not collected your voter’s cards, coming to rallies is in vain. There are over four million cards for Lagos. Only about two million has been collected in Lagos. That is 50 percent. Let’s go and collect our cards.”

    Former Agricultural Commissioner Olusanya predicted that the APC will win in Ikorodu. He said: “Lagos has always voted for the progressives. This year will not be different. Ikorodu will vote for progressives. We have seen the trend of development in Ikorodu Division. New roads are coming up. There are ferry terminals in our riverrine areas. There is the renovation of schools. We have mother and child hospitals. We want all these to continue.”

    The Yeyesewa of Lagos, Nelson, said: “Let the whole of Lagos rise on the election day and endorse continuity. We should vote for the continuity of progress. They said that we should not fight. We will not fight, if they don’t rig the elections.”

    Thanking the people for their resilience and dedication, Fashola implored them to collect their cards, which he described as their potent electoral power. He said: “Since 1999, we have been defeating the party with the umbrella. This year will not be different. Go and get your voter’s cards. It is the only power in your hands. The only power in your hand is not the power of violence.  It is the power of the ballot. When it is a ballot, you cannot stop it. When people see the power of the ballot, whether they like it or not, they will surrender.”

    Reflecting on the state of the nation, he declared that President Jonathan has failed, adding that he is unfit to continue in office beyond May.

    Fashola asked: “Do you want the virus in Abuja to spread to Lagos? Do you want a Commander-In Chief who is looking for 1985 gun to fight 2015 war? Do you want your security apparatus and RRS to continue in Lagos? How are you going to secure that? Who are you voting for?” The crowd chorused APC.

    The governor lamented the economic down turn, recalling that the interest rate has jumped from 10 percent from 24 per cent to the detriment of businessmen, transporters, and importers. He said the Federal Government has been promoting poverty, instead of providing jobs.

    He added: “We have a President who has a Ph.D. His deputy is an architect. But, he cannot build roads. What job is the Vice President doing? He was telling the President that people were moving away from Lagos. I ask: are the cars entering Lagos decreasing. They now say they are going to increase tariff by 70 percent on imported vehicle. They are waiting for the election to pass. They knew you were annoyed. So, they postponed it. Is that in the interest of transporter?”

    Fashola said why the Federal Government has not fought the infrastructure battle successfully as reflected in the Lagos/Ibadan and Benin/Ore Expressway, his administration has turned Lagos into a huge construction site. He also alluded to the housing project undertaken by his government, challenging the Federal Government to tender its score cards in these sectors.

    Listing his achievements in Ikorodu Division, he said people are now enjoying Ibese Road, Mile 12/Ikorodu Road, Awlowo Road, Igbogbo and Obese roads, Ipakodo Ferry Terminus, and the Alara’s palace.

    The governor said that Ambode is fit to succeed him because he has learned the ropes under him and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He added: “Ambode  has worked with my predecessor. He has worked with me for six years as an accountant-general. Let me remind you. Which party and government frustrated the creation of new local governments in Lagos? It is the PDP. You had one local government in Ikorodu before. Now, you have six. Do you want to lose them? At the time their party and their government seized our money, this is the young man who was managing the finances and made those local governments to survive.

    “I was the Chief of Staff then. I was the one fighting the legal battle with Yemi Osinbajo. So, are you seeing the team? Ambode in Lagos and Osinbajo in Abuja. Your local government will be safe, if Buhari is elected. Your local government will be protected, if Ambode is elected. Those who wanted to spoil it yesterday cannot come and ask for your votes. Go and tell those who are not here that the election is about another fight for freedom. It is about the survival of the local government, state and the country.”

    Fashola drew attention to the handling of the security challenge by the President, pointing out that, under his charge, some parts of the component units had been taken over by terrorists. The governor said the Federal Government ferried huge cash abroad under the guise of weapon procurement, stressing that it smacked of corruption.

    He emphasised the need to vote out the President to pave the way for the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, to restore security. Describing Buhari as a gallant and honest soldier, he said he will not be another Dr. Jonathan  who will send soldiers to war without ammunition. He said Buhari will also provide electricity, good roads and jobs for the unemployed youths.

    Urging Lagosians to reject Agbaje at the poll, Fashola said the PDP candidate is not conversant with the rudiments of budgeting and financial management.

    He stressed: “Don’t vote for inexperience. They say he sells drugs. But, we will not be sick. If we need drugs in hospitals, we will patronise him, if he has NAFDAC number. He is not fit to be governor. He displays his inexperience and ignorance when he speaks about Lagos. He said we were spending three percent of the budget on education. He doesn’t read budget. He doesn’t know about financing. If he listened to my budget speech, he will realise that we increase education budget from 15 per cent to 16.8 last year.

    “We do school meal programmes, but the budget is in the Ministry of Health. We do refuse collection across the schools. The budget is in the Ministry of Environment. We repair desks and maintain schools. The budget is in the Ministry of Works. We do school de-worming for children. The budget is in the Ministry of Health. We use experience. We have been long on this job. Asiwaju taught us. The leader taught us. If you add all these to 16 percent, it is more than that.

    “He cannot do this job. He should come and learn from us. This state is too strategic and too critical to the development of Nigeria, to the prosperity of the West Africa sub-region, to the prosperity and stability of the African continent to be entrusted to a beginner or an experimenter. We are voting continuity because we want to consolidate in what we have achieved.”