18th October, 2011
Ahead the loccal government election coming up on Saturday in Lagos, lawmakers in the state House of Assembly have embarked on a one-week break to campaign for the candidates under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
The members also expressed fears that the opposition parties in the state may have been planning to implement strategies that would enable them win some of the 20 local councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
They also expressed worries over the grievances of some party members while lamenting the number of protests to the House by members of the party during the nomination exercise by the party.
The decision to embark on the break was brought to the Assembly chambers by Hon. Rotimi Olowo under matter of urgent public importance.
According to Olowo, it has become important that the 40 members go back to their constituencies and engage in grassroots enlightenment and mobilisation within the remaining days to the election.
He said this is in view of the pockets of troubles and the mobilisation by some people against the candidates of the ACN in the election.
He also reminded the lawmakers that they should not underrate opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has also nominated candidates and have started campaigning for the same election.
Hon. Olowo was supported by two of his colleagues, Lanre Ogunyemi and Sanai Agunbiade, who also stressed that the House should contribute to the success of the election especially since the members are all from the same party.
Hon. Agunbiade also added that apart from the support by the House, it should also call on the state security apparatus to adequately prepare itself for the exercise on Saturday in order to avert any plan by disgruntled people in the state to cause trouble.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, after listening to their arguments and seeking the support of the House, gave accent to the call.
He also joined the lawmakers to call on the security forces in the state to be on alert between now, during and after the election.
—Eromosele Ebhomele & Tosin Areo