The Action Democratic Party (ADP) Lagos State Chapter has called on the
three Senators representing Lagos State at the National Assembly not to
allow themselves to be used as sabotage against the interest of Lagosians
over their move to block AMCON Chairmanship slot for Lagos.
In a statement obtained from Lagos State Chairman of the party, Nasir
Adewale Bolaji, while interacting with Newsmen, leaders and members of the
party at the party’s secretariat on Saturday, he said that for the overall
interest of Lagosians, Senators must exercise restrain on how they are
being pushed by some politicians to work against the nominee from Lagos.
The Statement reads:
I welcome all leaders and stakeholders of our great party, executive
members, members and teaming supporters, pressmen and Lagosians to this
occasion, an opportunity for our party to address the world on the state
of affairs in Lagos State.
Our Party, Action Democratic Party (ADP) is anchored on people’s
orientated programmes, that offer direct impacts on the lives of everybody
resident in Lagos State rather than satisfying selected individuals or
godfathers.
Today also affords our party, Action Democratic Party (ADP), the
opportunity to further present ourselves as the ONLY CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE
with the capacity to bring real developments and to free Lagosians who are
desirous of positive change and Progress.
Let me assure Lagosians that ADP is positioned to eradicate the scourging
poverty, under development, inequality in wealth distribution, substandard
education, security threats that is pervasive in the state and to make
Lagos a truly mega city where opportunities will be available to all those
pursuing their legitimate businesses to succeed in the state.
Our party ADP has become the main opposition political party in Lagos
because of our steady resolve and determination to take power back from
those who have held the state down for too long. May I also state our
resolve to liberate the political space by providing opportunities for
those who aspire to contest for one elective position or the other ahead
of the 2019 elections, as against the tradition of impunity, and the
imposition of stooges across the available spaces, that is the trademark
of the failed ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Our party is open to discussion with stakeholders of like minds from other
political parties to take back Lagos State. It is our resolve to put Lagos
state back on the right pedestrial, Lagos State must claim its rightful
place in the country as the center of excellence.
Recent developments in Lagos State has shown that Lagosians cannot
continue with the mindless and undermining politics being played by
leaders in the ruling APC, whose grip on the state has not actually
allowed the full potentials of the state to be realized by all residents
in the state.
The time to move away from those who are ready to destroy every
opportunities that do not pass through their tables has come and our
party, as people’s orientated party accept to lead the struggle for
emancipation and continue to support every good idea(s) and opportunities
that will add to the advancement of the state. We are not a party to stop
the progress of the state for personal gains.
We are aware of a recent move by the three Senators representing Lagos
State at the National Assembly of moves to block the confirmation of a
nominee from the state for the Chairmanship of Asset Management Company
(AMCON), an opportunity being threatened by the greed of those who would
rather destroy everything just to score a cheap political point for
personal gain.
In as much as we don’t want to interfere in the affairs of the ruling APC,
it will be injustice to Lagosians to keep mum as a major stakeholder in
the “Project Lagos” knowing that the blockage of the confirmation may be
connected with the spat between a National Leader of APC and the former
APC National Legal Adviser, Mr Muiz Banire (SAN).
As a party who is concerned with the progress of Lagos state, we find it
disturbing that lawmakers elected to serve the interest of the state have
descended so low as to abandoned their duties as legislators and decided
to serve the interest of their godfather alone. It is the opinion of our
party that personal political war between the two political leaders should
not be allowed to affect the overall interests of all Lagosians.
We are calling on the three senators representing Lagos State at the
Senate to forthwith withdraw their rejections to the confirmation of Dr
Muiz Banire, SAN as the Chairman of Asset Management Corporation of
Nigeria, AMCON, as further opposition would be construed as a direct
assault on the state and its people.
May I warn that ADP would no longer tolerate sabotage of the interest of
Lagos state and we will not hesitate to mobilise the people of the state
against the Senators if they refuse to refrain from their
anti-developments stance.
We take note that Lagos economy has been the most viable in Nigeria with
an average IGR of N550b yearly, apart from the several billions from FAAC
monthly allocations, grants and donors funds, however, it is frustrating
that the level of development in the state is a far cry from what is being
generated. Our party is calling on the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi
Ambode to adopt ‘Open Government’ initiative with immediate effect, as the
government owes the citizens the responsibility to render account of their
stewardship and how their resources are being managed, which we believe
organizing town hall meetings and presentation of vague reports cannot
sufficiently answer.
ADP equally asks the Lagos State government to publish the budget of the
state with line items on major newspapers, electronics media and state
owned website for the world to know, as well as the audited account of the
state should be published to know what was actually generated, and what
was spent.
In line with our promises to all Lagosians, we would practice a culture of
transparency, respect for rule of law, human development via job creation,
development of “Inner Lagos” across Local governments. ADP believes that
developments should be encompassing and not specific to status as
exemplified by APC, we will not only make judicious use of resources of
the state but ensure its spread to all citizens, not minding their social
status.
We are aware that it won’t be an easy task but we are ready to face
leadership for all with the seriousness it deserves because we are ready,
especially with piled up domestic and foreign (bilateral and multilateral)
debts incurred by the APC government. According to Debt Management Office
(DMO), Lagos is owing over N363 billion in domestic loan while foreign
debt is also over $1.466 billion. In our opinion, Lagos as a state with
highest revenue generation should not have such a huge debt if the
humongous resources it generates are judiciously utilised. As we already
know, massive corruption, award of phoney contracts, quest to satisfy
godfather, leakages and culture of waste are responsible for the high debt
profile in the State.
Finally, our Party Action Democratic Party (ADP) will not tow the
retrogressive path of the ruling APC but will present brilliant minds with
good character, capacity and competence needed to lead Lagos State at
various elective positions, most especially for Governor, Senate, House of
Representatives and State Assemblies.
Our party when given the opportunity to lead the state, will work with
stakeholders in traffic and transport management to decongest traffic
gridlock in Lagos state by opening new roads and expanding existing ones.
Despite the abundance of water all over the state, it is disappointing
that the APC government failed in providing households with drinkable
water. ADP would not allow this to continue, we would commit the right
resources to ensure that every household in Lagos state have access to
portable and hygienic water. Aside meeting the peoples water need, it will
serve a purpose of checking diseases that are contracted through water and
keep Lagosians safe and healthy.
ADP plans to tackle housing challenges in the state as we will partner
private sector to build houses for the safe abode of our people.
Our party will continue to engage stakeholders in the state and also move
on with mobilization of members into the party. In no distant time, ADP
will unveil it’s road map, economic blueprint and developmental agenda for
Lagos State.
I therefore call on all leaders, stakeholders, and Lagosians in general to
see ADP as the party of Progress, and the party sent by God to rescue them
from the sinking boat of APC, as the party that will end the era of
impunity and massive corruption in the state, I call on you to join us in
this journey as the ONLY CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE political party who can
provide better service to all Lagosians, join and be a partner in
Progress.