Crossfire from APC, PDP campaigns in Lagos

GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, says his government will construct a light-rail system to unknot the traffic gridlock in Ikorodu and connect the town with other parts of Lagos.

  At a campaign visit to Ikorodu, Agbaje said he recognised the harrowing experience the people suffered daily trying to access other parts of the state.

  “As part of the holistic solution to address the traffic gridlock in Lagos, my administration, if elected, would construct a railway system to links Ikorodu with the larger Lagos,” he said.

  Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has labeled the PDP governorship candidate as inexperienced apprentice of President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling PDP “who cannot be committed with a serious state like Lagos.” 

  Fashola, at an APC rally at Gbagada, chided Agbaje for saying that Lagos is the most indebted state in Nigeria. 

  According to him, “All the loans we incurred were used to develop infrastructure in the state and for the benefit of the people.” 

  Agbaje blamed the suffering of Ikorodu people on the slow pace of construction of the road between Ikorodu and Ojota.   

  He said: “This road that they have been constructing for all these years have been inflicting suffering upon the people of Ikorodu. 

  “It is not designed to solve the traffic gridlock.”

  While admitting that the current state government has embarked on some infrastructural projects, he, nonetheless, said they were not commensurate with the reported amount sent on them.

  “The last 16 years have seen the APC and its precursor regime collecting N4 trillion, which has failed to reflect in the achievements it has recorded,” he said.

  He promised to create a Victoria Island in Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry and Ajah “so that the infrastructural developments drawing people to Ikoyi can be found in Ikorodu.” 

  Explaining how governments work, Fashola noted that, “America owes an excess of $16trn and that is the country that they (Federal Government) are going to buy fire arms.” 

  “Nigeria is in one-chance with the PDP,” he said even as he described what Agbaje referred to as bold ideas in his campaign promises as “bold ignorance and bold inexperience that cannot move the state anywhere.”

  Fashola spoke about President Jonathan and the PDP alleged violation of all rules in the book.

  He said: “If you look at the Third Mainland Bridge, you will see the posters of President Goodluck Jonathan. 

  “He has taken over the advertising spaces on the bridge, which LASA already allocated to those who paid for the spaces. 

  “The PDP took over the spaces without caring for the existing contractual agreement.”

  Describing the ruling party as lawless, Fashola said President Jonathan had broken every rule he has set, wondering if that was the kind of president Nigerians want.

  On security, he said that he felt the impact of insecurity because many people have relocated to Lagos “because they can no longer stay in their respective states due to insecurity.” 

  He queried: “We fund the police but how many vehicles have they (Federal Government) bought for the police? 

  “Their inexperienced candidate is saying Lagos is indebted, forgetting that the state is very populated.”

  The governorship candidate of the APC, Akinwunmi Ambode, challenged the PDP to provide the alleged missing $20bn in its government’s coffer.

  “If we get that money, roads would be constructed,” he said.

  Ambode also scolded the Federal Government over the N10 reduction in oil price. 

  The former Accountant-General of Lagos State the action would not solve the problems in the country. 

  “We want more jobs. Let the Lagos State candidate (Agbaje) tell them to release the subsidy scam report,” he said.

  “Lagos is better than it was seven years ago. We will do more roads. We will provide funds for business to thrive and employ more people.”