Polls shift is constitutional, says Jimi Agbaje

• Cautions supporters against violence

• Group launches anti-Jonathan book

GUBERNATORIAL candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has said that the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in line with the Nigerian constitution, but said the decision would lead to more expenses for the competitors.

   Agbaje spoke Monday during a campaign rally at Eti-Osa local council of the state.

   According to him, the postponement would facilitate the holding of more credible and better inclusive election by INEC.

  “It is apparent to everyone now that the postponement is within the confines of the constitution and the electoral guidelines,” he said. “As long as May 29 remains sacrosanct, everything is in order. And it is obvious that May 29 remains sacrosanct.”

  Highlighting his plans for Eti-Osa, Agbaje said his government would provide roads, schools and social services, which he stated were missing in the area.

   The governorship candidate has however has called on his supporters to eschew violence ahead of the coming elections.

    Agbaje, who spoke against the backdrop of a peace pact signed by governorship candidates in the state, said no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.

   He spoke during a rally in Mushin and Oshodi/Isolo Monday. In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Publicity, Agbaje called on party members to continue to be law abiding.

  He said rather than be lured to violence by those who defaced his billboards on Third Mainland Bridge, he would keep praying for them.

     While addressing party faithful at Mainland Local Council, he appealed for calm, saying, “rather than fight them, I will keep praying for them. Nobody should die because I want to lead Lagos State. Together we will move to Alausa on May 29, 2015.”

   Meanwhile, the initiator of Change Ambassadors of Nigeria (CAN), a social group promoting positive change in governance, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, has launched a book titled: “Two-Faced Jonathan,” a book stating 100 reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan must not be re-elected.

   However, the book’s initial official launch was stopped as security operatives raided the printing press in Lagos, carting away copies.

   Speaking to journalists on the development, Agbomhere said “I was told that the book that was to be launched today (Friday) was taken away after someone within the printing press, who has sympathy for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerted security operatives about it. They came and confiscated all the printed copies of the book.”

    Agbomhere, while reviewing the book, said it analyses the errors committed by the Jonathan-led administration from when he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State till date as President.

   Also speaking, Ibilola Essien, a social entrepreneur with Act Now Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, said the present administration has not done enough to salvage the country from the many challenges besieging it.