Jimi Agbaje, Lagos PDP guber candidate kicks off campaign

(Nigeria) The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has accused the Lagos State Government of pursuing and implementing policies inimical to the welfare of the people.

Agbaje on Wednesday at Agege and Ifako-Ijaiye local governments, where his party kicked off campaigns to herald next month’s elections into various positions in the state, said that the All People’s Congress, APC, the ruling party in the state, had displayed much impunity in the running of state affairs, resulting in untold hardship for the masses.

These include: A blanket ban on okada commercial motorcycles, imposition of various levies on market women, failure to erect low-cost houses and neglect of the educational sector.

Both rallies witnessed the presence of PDP chieftains in the state including: Agbaje’s Running Mate –Mrs. Safurat Olayinka Abdulkarim, the State Chairman –Retired Captain Tunji Shelle, former State Women’s Leader –Deaconess Bisi Odunsi, Lagos West Senatorial Candidate –Mr. Segun Adewale Aeroland, the Publicity Secretary –Mr. Taofiq Gani and several others.

While the Agege event took place at Powerline, Oko Oba Rd, Orile Agege, that of Ifako Ijaiye held at Catholic Playing Ground, Fagba B/Stop, Iju Road.

In Agege, Jimi Agbaye, who turned up late because of a meeting summoned by the Lagos Police Command for party candidates in the various elections, urged the supporters to eschew violence.

“The police asked all of us candidates not to sponsor violence nor allow our supporters to take to violence,” he said. “And I am telling you our supporters that this election belongs to us. Everything points to our victory. And therefore, why do we need to join issues with losers?”

According to him, Lagos had been ruled in the last 16 years by a gang of politicians, who did not care about the welfare of the people.

He said this neglect found expression in the failure of the government of the day to build low-rent houses for the commoners andthe sweeping ban placed on commercial motorcycle operators.

“You are mothers in the markets, I want to assure you that we shall do nothing to inconvenience you in your businesses,” he said. “As soon as we come into power, the era of imposition of illegal and thoughtless levies on market women will be terminated.”

He asked them to tell the cheering crowd to bear a message to the motorcycle operators and the commercial bus drivers, who indicated by a show of hands that they were present.

They answered in the affirmative as he continued. “Are the market women here? Are the danfo (commercial bus) drivers here? Are the okada riders here? So you are all here! If then you are here, who is remaining with them?”

Introducing his Running Mate, Agbaje said, “I can assure you that Safu will not be a spare-tyre Deputy Governor? We shall govern this state together, and women will get all their dues.”

Alhaja Abdulkarim urged the women to vote for Jimi Agbaje, saying, he was a man of his word, who had the interest of the masses at hand.