By Emmanuel Oladesu
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), 9 February, 2023, explained why Lagosians should reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Jide Adediran, at the poll.
He said the main opposition candidate, who worked with him as a cameraman and consultant when he was Governor, lacked the required maturity, experience, competence and capacity to run Lagos, which is the fifth largest economy in Africa.
Fashola maintained that being a cameraman and following the Governor to state functions do not qualify Adediran to be Governor.
The PDP Candidate, former reporter with the Lagos Television when Fashola was Governor, covered the Lagos State House at times handled the camera during the Governor’s event.
He rose to stardom, following his engagement as a consultant. Later, moved to Abuja with Fashola and became close to the former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler. He owns the ‘Core Media.’
However, Fashola put him on the scale during the launch of Eko O ni baje 10,000 Foot Soldiers for Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat, saying that his “boy” does not have the qualities required for the number one seat in the state.
Fashola, who is also the Director of Election Planning and Monitoring, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), canvassed support for the APC Presidential Flag-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; Governor Babaijde Sanwo-Olu; and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
At the event which held at the Haven Event Centre, Ikeja, former APC National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, and Lanre Akinsola conducted training for the canvassers and footsoldiers.
The launch was attended by Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr Hamzat; former Deputy Governors: Abiodun Ogunleye, Sarah Sosah and Joke Orelope-Adefulire; Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Senator Gbenga Ashafa; House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa; Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Dr. Kayode Opeifa; Rotimi Agunsoye; Ademorin Kuye; Delapo Badru; Hakeem Odumosu; Moruf Akinderu-Fatai and Femi Onibokun.
Fashola, who took a swipe at the PDP, said: “Some people say they will take the land from us. That is too much. I did the job of Governor for eight years and part of what helped me was that I was Chief of Staff to the Governor. Even, that was not enough.
“So, just following a Governor being a cameraman and then, watching me for eight years, then, you think you will now be a Governor, you are not ready. Come to our leadership school, you are not yet ready.
“That is why you will see that they are focusing on the N51 billon Lagos State is generating. You did not see the immigrant population that is coming into Lagos everyday. The bigger the prosperity, the bigger the problem. Their party don’t see people, they don’t see the problem.”
Fashola urged members of APC to canvas massively so that more people can vote for the party.
Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that nobody has the credential to become president more than him.
He said Lagos wil deliver the largest vote for APC because Tinubu is on the ballot.
Sanwo-Olu said: “I want to thank our Minister and all those who have worked with him, especially his 10,000 foot soldiers; five million vote will come out. Tinubu is the best for Nigeria. Nobody has a credential like Tinubu to become President. That is why we truly believe in him. We will deliver the largest number for our Presidential Candidate.”
The Governor said the Lagos State Government would from this weekend begin to distribute food packs to cushion the effect of Naira and Fuel scarcity, which Lagosians are facing.
Sanwo-Olu said the initiative was borne out of concern, adding that “it is not for politics sake.”
Sanwo-Olu said the five million votes pledged by the APC supporters in Lagos to deliver the State to Tinubu were not impossible, given the strength and structure of
