Jimi Agbaje ‘Lagos has made progress despite being in opposition,’ PDP candidate says

 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje has said that the state has fared well despite being in the opposition and would continue to do so.

Agbaje made the statement in response to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying that Lagos would suffer if the PDP wins the governorship of the state.

The PDP candidate made the comments via a statement posted on his Facebook page. It reads:

"Dear People of Lagos, you've probably heard the new rhetoric that the APCs spin-masters have been spewing out in the last couple of days stating that if Lagos is in the opposition, the Federal Government will deny Lagos a lot of benefits. Just yesterday, a few well-meaning Lagosians had sent us Facebook and SMS messages asking for my take on this issue so I've decided to speak up."

"First, I wonder about the soundness of this argument especially after listening to President-elect General Buhari's acceptance speech where he clearly stated "There shall no longer be a ruling party again... We shall never rule over the people as if they were subservient to government".

"This basically spoke to our better-angels as a people and our sense of community as Nigerians. If so, then where's the logic in the argument? Is APC LAGOS by the nature of this "aligning Lagos to the center" statement, now inferring that General Buhari intends to run a vindictive, partial or insensitive government? Well, that's not for me to answer and it's clearly not the focus of this piece."

"What I know, however, is that Lagos has always made progress in spite of being in the opposition and right now it will be to the benefit of democracy and the whole country to have a watchful police, as opposed to both power houses - Lagos & Abuja concentrated in one party. In fact, if my memory of history serves me well, Lagos and the FG have never been in the same party. Our development as a state is as a result of our ingenuity, tenacity and drive as a people. And it's clear that Lagosians can see through this total botch of logic."

"In 2007-2011, his excellency, Governor Fashola was AC/ACN/APC while the FG led by Yar’Adua was PDP. Under Yar’Adua, the FG released withheld funds to Lagos that had been blocked by his predecessor despite being in opposing parties with Governor Fashola. You see, our edge as a state has always being about our collective ability to stay ahead of the curve with our without favour from the FG."

"That said, it's important that we put in context what is really happening in Nigeria. The yearning for change that has clearly swept this nation is one that supersedes any one man, political party, tribe or religion. Put simply, it is a statement against the status-quo. A clarion call by the people for leaders who will put the peoples interests first before aggrandisement and petty bickering that seems to have become the norm in politics."

"To politicians, leaders and people in position of authority including myself, it is a call that we cannot stand against. It's one that we must all comply with to ensure that we build a better society and a greater Nigeria."

"It will be my honour to serve as your Governor - a man capable of making his own decisions as I have always done in the past. Quite frankly, I'm not sure anyone can say the same of my opponent."

Agbaje will go head to with APC candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode on April 11, 2015.