Lagos guber: Why non indigenes support Agbaje

President of Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN), Chief Udoka Udeogaranya, has given reasons why non-indigenes in Lagos State will vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer, Jimi Agbaje. He says Agbaje promises to run an all-inclusive government which will return Lagos State to the path of glory. Excerpts:

I am expecting to see a revival of the long-standing relationship which existed between legendary Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, late Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya and Chief TOS Benson in those days of yore. Many, not only Ndigbo are also waiting to see that happen.

Already, the PDP in Lagos State has nominated an indigenous Lagosian from Ikorodu area of the state in the person of Mr. Jimi Agbaje as its governorship candidate.

The mere mention of Ikorodu brings greater memories of great Ndigbo politi­cal allies, like Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya and Chief TOS Benson. Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya and Chief TOS Benson will not be happy with Ndigbo if they fail to support their son, Jimi Agbaje as the next governor of Lagos State since Ikorodu is yet to produce a governor.

The PDP Lagos State has recognised the economic contributions of Ndigbo in Lagos State and assured that they will not mix politics with the affairs of major markets in the state where Ndigbo pre­dominantly do their business. One of such markets for instance is Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market. The assurances we are get­ting from the party is that if it comes to power in the state, it will enhance those markets for greater service to the state in a very transparent and fair manner.

Beyond that, the party has assured us that it had accommodated the political interest of Ndigbo in the state by giving a few House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats to Ndigbo and other non indigenes from the South-south region resident in the constituencies where non-indigenes are predominant.

Aside that, the party has assured all and sundry that it will remove the Lekki Toll Gates as it was built on an existing road.

Lagos State at the moment is probably the only place where its residents doing business pay very huge taxes. Business owners pay taxes to the local, state and federal governments. In most cases, they over pay taxes without getting cor­responding benefits in terms of public utilities.

But it is heart warming that the PDP has stated that it would reduce the excessive taxation policies of the state government and even do well to upgrade inner city roads in areas where non indigenes reside, for instance Okota.

Given the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State, everyone will agree to the need for all inclusiveness. Here is a town that is home to all – Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Urho­bo, Tiv, Efik, name it. Everyone has been contributing over the years to making the state what it is at the moment. To this end, there is a growing need for all and sundry to be part of the affairs of the state.

Now, the PDP wants to show the way forward. Its assurances that it would run an institutional and people- oriented government is indeed, heart warming. Let us not forget that the government is for the people. To such people, the party will always go back to seek their mandate renewal. This is quite distinctive from what the ruling government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is offering everyone at the moment.

In Lagos State, we want to see govern­ment carry all the people along. We want to see a government that is constituted by people from various states and tribes in the country. We want to see political appointments in the state going to people from various tribes and states of the country. Through that, everyone will truly call Lagos State their own and work for its lasting good.

We are happy that PDP in the state has assured that it would create a beloved community of all the people of Lagos State, regardless of tribe or ethnic inclina­tions.

Lagos State can be a lot more excit­ing than it is now if all Nigerians can harness their cultural potential. Imagine a festival where various ethnic groups come together with their individual cultures?

I felt elated when the PDP in the state said it would consider uniting various cultural divides in the state if elected into power.

Take for instance the assurance that if Jimi Agbaje comes to power, he would recognise the Eze-Ndigbo traditional insti­tutions, the Igbo annual yam festivals and other festivals from other ethnic groups as a way of encouraging ethnic nationalities to attain cultural excellence and secure their individual cultures from dying while they are away from their native homes.

As it were, we are confident that Presi­dent Goodluck Jonathan will be re-elected in the days ahead. Therefore, there is need for him to work harmoniously with a governor that will be from the same party with him. This will engender a political relationship that is cordial. This will ease unnecessary tension in the state. (The Sun).