Nasir El-Rufai, the former
FCT Minister, showed
concern over the fate of
Lagos state, as the April 11
governorship election starts
in less than a week.
El-Rufai (APC), who himself
faces off Mukhtar Ramalan Yero
(PDP) in Kaduna polls next
Saturday, took to social media
for sending an advice to
Lagosians.
Below are the 10 reasons why
the APC must remain in power,
as seen by El-Rufai:
1. The Federal Government
owes Lagos several billions of
Naira. The Buhari
administration and the Lagos
state government shall achieve
a better understanding on the
issue if the future governor is
the APC member too.
2. An agreement on the use of
older governmental buildings
may be achieved easier. Urban
renewal and building of new
towns may commence.
Something similar has been
done during the Shagari’s
presidency.
3. The president and the new
governor of Lagos may agree
on a special status of ‘economic
capital of Nigeria’ for the
metropolis.
4. Lagos has more chances to
get preferences from the
Federal Government, as about
70% of value added tax,
collected nationwide, originates
from Lagos.
5. Lagos hardly benefit from
ecological funds even though it
needs it more than any other
state.
6. Buhari and the APC
administration in Lagos will
work to achieve uninterrupted,
24/7, power supply in Lagos
within 2 years.
7. According to El-Rufai, the
PDP’s ability to follow the trend
of progress is doubtful.
8. Federal roads and bridges in
Lagos need rehabilitation.
9. All tribes are represented in
Lagos and the social facilities
are stretched thin.
10. Prosperity of Nigeria is tied
to the prosperity of Lagos. This
is common sense politics.
The APC guber candidate in
Kaduna state reminded that the
PDP candidate for Lagos, Jimi
Agbaje, had once urged
Lagosians to “vote for the PDP
to enjoy FG’s benefits”. “But the
PDP will not be in charge
anymore!” El-Rufai noted.
The control of Lagos is crucial
for the two biggest political
forces in Nigeria, the APC and
the PDP. It is really hard to
predict who of the governorship
candidates will triumph.
The March 28 presidential
election showed a slight
advantage of the APC: 792,460
vs 632,327 of votes in favour of
APC’s Buhari. However, this
does not prove the PDP has no
chances at all, as the margin
was not that big, just 11.2%.
Are you from Lagos? On April 11
you cast your vote in favour of
Ambode Akinwumi Dapo
(APC)
Joseph Olujimi Kolawole
Agbaje (PDP)