Society Gists

Conduct Referendum Not Election In Lagos In 2019, Commissioner Tells FG

Leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ejigbo constituency on Thursday endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for a second term in office.

The leaders cited the unprecedented infrastructural development, job creation policies and all-inclusive governance structure, among other laudable initiatives of the Governor as the reasons for the overwhelming decision to support him for re-election in 2019.

They spoke at the end of the year party of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Foundation, a political group within the APC, held at Ejigbo Playing Ground.

In his remarks, founder of the group and the State’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdulateef Abdulhakeem said the movement was about celebrating the leadership qualities of National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the sterling performance of Governor Ambode.

He said: “We have repeatedly said it. Today, we are celebrating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; today, we are celebrating the unprecedented infrastructural development by His Excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

“Today is meant for the endorsement of Governor Ambode for second term so that whoever is planning to come out to contest the gubernatorial election in 2019, Ejigbo constituents are saying it loud and clear that there is no vacancy in Alausa.”

While revealing that the group had the blessings of Tinubu, Abdulhakeem said it was obvious that the former Governor of the State was blessed by God with the qualities of identifying good leaders.

According to him, “Almighty God has chosen Asiwaju to identify leaders who can continue the legacies that he has left behind. He was able to identify Babatunde Raji Fashola and now to consolidate on the achievements in the State, God directed his mind towards a quintessential leader, Akinwunmi Ambode.”

He said with the commendable achievements of Governor Ambode, there was no need wasting resources to conduct election in the State in 2019, instead a referendum should be conducted for people to unanimously ask the Governor to continue in office.

He said: “We are all witnesses to what God has done through Akinwunmi Ambode and like I said yesterday in Isolo, instead of us wasting resources contesting elections, why don’t all political parties come together and agree that this particular Governor has not disappointed Lagosians; he has several projects that he intend to execute. Why don’t we save the nation the resources of conducting election in all the States by identifying some States where we have cutting-edge advantages.

“Any State where people can come together and say we all agree that this particular leader is a unique leader, the Federal Government should conduct a referendum as to whether at all it is necessary to conduct election.

“In Lagos State for instance, which political party has come out? Who has indicated any interest in contesting election with Ambode? So, why must we waste resources? Why must we allow violence, thuggery and all sort of things associated with election? Why can’t Lagosians speak with one voice and say let Ambode continue,” the Commissioner queried.

He said the advantage in doing such is that the Governor would know that the social contract with the people had been redoubled, and such would spur him to perform beyond ordinary level of excellence.

Also speaking, a member of the Lagos House of Assembly represented Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, Hon Jude Idimogu said the achievements of the Governor in all sectors and sections of the State were evident for all to see.

He said the people of the area were united and committed to the second term of Governor Ambode to continue his good works in the State.

Notable members of the party at the event included Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon Shamshudeen Olaleye; Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon Tunde Oke; Vice Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Mr Bayo Olasodu; Chairman, Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Foundation, Ejigbo Chapter, Wasiu Akinsola; Alhaji Bolaji Are, among others.

There were also representatives from political wards in the area including Aigbaka, Ailegun, Ilamoshe, Fadu, Ifoshi and Oke Afa.