Politics of imposition in Lagos must stop, Group charges

The Lagos Democracy Advancement Forces (LADFOCE) has urged Lagos residents to use the forthcoming 2019 Governorship election to end the era of imposition of candidates for the governorship position of the state.

Convener of the coalition group, Comrade Mark Adebayo, who expressed concerns over the recent allegations of a rift between the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and a former governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, during a press conference in Lagos, stated that the situation, though unconfirmed, does not uphold democracy, because the voice of the people has been strangled since 1999.

“The political atmosphere in Lagos State is currently but unnecessarily overcharged due to the shenanigans of one individual desperate to maintain a political stranglehold on the state. It is common knowledge that for the past eleven years it has become a tradition for the political pendulum of the state to swing according to the whims and dictates of one man who is an expert in the politics of imposition.

“The situation in Lagos State is beyond what well-meaning Lagosians should leave to the internal intrigues of the ruling Party. It is not about what Party we belong or don’t belong, or which ideological tendency you believe in or don’t believe in. It is a collective responsibility of all to ensure that Lagos State is liberated from “a circle of certainty” that seeks to perpetually determine the political destiny and destination of the state without recourse.”

Adebayo further expressed his affirmation that there are numerous other suitable candidates who can perform the task of governing Lagos, and the task falls upon the masses to end the era of political imposition.

“We are confident that more credible Lagosians untainted by corruption and maladministration will still join the race to Alausa, it provides the most auspicious opportunity for us all to remove the political albatross of Lagos State for good. This is a collective responsibility of all Lagosians and a sacred project to which we must unidirectionally commit ourselves.

“Whereas in Lagos East and West, Senatorial aspirants are fighting for tickets while in Lagos Central nobody can dare contest the seat apparently reserved for the wife of Senator Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu – who is going for third term consecutively. What legislative prowess can be adduced to the latter to merit a perpetual relay between Lagos Central and the upper legislative chamber? That is what politics of imposition, domination and intimidation engenders”, he added.

The group confirmed that plans are ongoing to kick-start a political revolution in the state, by forming a coalition with civil societies, political parties and interest groups.

Read also: FALLING HEALTHCARE: ‘LUTH is in crisis’–SERAP

“We shall kick-start a process of the political revolution in the state immediately.

“Lagos State cannot continue to be in the pocket of one man. 2019 provides an auspicious opportunity for a mass political revolution by Lagosians to liberate the state from continued political and economic enslavement. Lagos State with a population of almost 30 million people is a mini Nigeria and cannot continue to pay homage to the insatiable appetite of a political dynasty” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Ripples Nigeria reported that the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has denied any rift between him and Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while addressing members of the ruling party in Epe, during the election of delegates for the presidential primary and national convention of the APC, on Wednesday.

“I want you to know that there is no fight anywhere. The National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and my good self we are not in any fight, we are not in any controversy”.

Ambode who reiterated more than once, the solid relationship between both parties, reaffirmed that he and the APC will remain in the helm of affairs at the state and federal level after the 2019 general elections.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now