The All
Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday justified
his support for Babajide Sanwo-Olu as
the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress instead of the
incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode.
He said he
is not supporting Ambode because he ignored the blueprint for progress in Lagos
State, thus contravening the spirit of progressive governance.
It was
Tinubu’s first statement over the controversy stirred by the APC chiefs and
entrenched interest groups in ditching Ambode for the second term. And it came on the eve of the governorship
primary slated for Monday.
Tinubu
totally ignored the concerns raised earlier at a world press conference by
Ambode about the party’s anointed candidate:
Sanwo-Olu being jailed in America for fake US dollars and his spending
time at a Lagos rehab centre for mental problems.
Tinubu, in
his statement, harped on the development master plan his administration
bequeathed to the state and lamented how the Ambode administration has
jettisoned it for what he called ” ad-hoc schemes of a materially inferior
quality”.
He said that
such narrowness of perspective has not brought the people closer to their
appointed destination.
According to
him, it has taken the people farther from that destiny.
”My goal is
and shall always be a better Lagos. To this objective, I have dedicated the
greater part of my public life. Roughly 20 years ago, a corps of dedicated and
patriotic Lagosians, put aside personal interests and rivalries, to put their
minds and best ideas together for the good of the state.
”Out of this
collaborative effort, was born a master plan for economic development that
would improve the daily lives of our people.
”When I was
elected governor in 1999, my administration faithfully implemented that plan.
The government of my immediate successor, Tunde Fashola, also honoured this
enlightened plan.
”Where state
government remained true to that blueprint, positive things happened. During my
tenure and Governor Fashola’s, Lagos state recorded improvements in all aspects
of our collective existence.
”I make no
pretence that the master plan is perfect. It can always be fine-tuned.
”However,
whenever a government departed from this plan without compelling reason, the
state and its people have borne the painful consequence of the improper
departure.
”For reasons
unknown to me and most Lagosians, we have experienced such deviations from
enlightened governance recently.
”However, as
a leader of the party and as a former governor of our beloved and excellent
Lagos, I would be remiss if I did not make a few observations regarding the
primary, ” he said.
Tinubu said
that the trend of deviation called for concern as the party primary approaches
to avoid irreparable harm that could be committed against the people and their
future.
”For the
record, let it be known that I shall vote in this primary because I see it as
one of extreme import to our state and our party. Just as I shall vote, I
equally urge all party members to do so.
”We must
vote in a manner that returns Lagos to its better path, the one that promises a
just chance for all to enjoy the fruits of our prosperity.
We must
always pursue our goal of a Lagos energised by creative dynamism, tolerance of
others, and guided by a leadership capable of extending a collegial hand to all
stakeholders, far and wide, ” he said.
Tinubu urged
the party delegates in the state to vote for the candidate who understands the
importance of the blueprint for development.
”I am
encouraged by the emergence of a candidate in this primary who has served the
state in senior positions in my administration, the Fashola administration and
even in the current one.
”While
possessing a wealth of experience and exposure, he is a young man endowed with
superlative vision and commitment.
”Most
importantly, he understands the importance of the blueprint for development. He
esteems it as a reliable and well-conceived vehicle for the future development
of the state.
”He also
knows the value of reaching out and working with others in order to maximise
development and provide people the best leadership possible.
”With people
like him at the helm, the state will write the proper history for itself.”
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