Obanikoro  Declares For Lagos Gov Race

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Senator Musiliu Obanikoro

Eromosele Ebhomele

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, on Tuesday formally declared to contest for the position of the governor of Lagos State, western Nigeria in 2015.

Obanikoro, whose campaign posters had flooded most parts of Lagos weeks before he finally declared his interest in the race, would be facing the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) later in December to battle it out with other aspirants for the same position on the platform of the PDP.

Currently, other aspirants including Lagos-based businessman, Jimi Agbaje, have been making efforts to clinch the party’s ticket for the election.

P.M.NEWS learnt that some factors that Obanikoro is latching on include that he has a major chunk of the loyalists and delegates for the primaries.

Making his formal declaration at an open ground at the National Stadium, Surulere, Obanikoro told the crowd that the time had come to liberate Lagos state.

Obanikoro, in his displayed posters and banners, called local government chairmen in Lagos mini-governors, and said his administration will bring power back to the local governments.

Musiliu Obanikoro
Musiliu Obanikoro

He also said he would ensure his government provide “one million and one businesses because small businesses are the engine of our economy.”

He said his administration would create “Teacher Towns because you can give teachers better quality of life without drastically increasing their wages.”

He also said he would provide what he called free roadside assistance “because one broken down vehicle can delay traffic one kilometre behind by an average of 45 minutes.

His government, he said, would provide malaria centres because 70 percent of all ailments in Lagos are malaria-related.

He said his government would provide an opportunity for one man, one tax because true governance should have clarity.

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He said he would create “Generation ‘A’ Schools” because “our school children must not be allowed to fail in a greater Lagos.

Makanjuola Ogundipe, the Peoples Democratic Party Vice Chairman for Southwest, said no matter the population of the ruling party (APC) in the Lagos State, the latter would not be able to win the 2015 elections in the state.

He urged the people of the state to embark on massive campaigns for Obanikoro.

“We will vote and win. Please, let us see ourselves as one. Let us come together and stop the fight. Those we have to fight now are those in the ruling party,” he said.

Speaking, Obanikoro said Lagos is challenged, adding that the average family in Lagos was struggling.

He commended the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, for his efforts to develop the state, but complained about the high amount spent on projects in the state.

He said it was time for a Greater Lagos where the determined youths would be successful in life.

“The journey ahead is going to be difficult but we must stay focused,” he told the crowd at the declaration ceremony.

“We must create a 24-hour economy,” he added saying the period where the rich become a burden on the government would be over when he becomes the governor.

“Lagos belongs to all of us and we are going to put an end to an era where Lagos belongs to one man. Power belongs to God and man.

“My experience will come to bear on 29 May, 2015,” he added promising to work with the National Assembly to ensure that “we create a special status for the people of Lagos.”

The ceremony which had major PDP stalwarts in the state in attendance was still ongoing at the time of this report.

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