The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, on Friday urged Lagosians to remain steadfast and not be dissuaded by what he called “the obnoxious antics of the opposition party and their supporters to debar them for exercising their civic responsibility.”
According to him, “Lagos will be freed on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from the firm grip of those whose only source of joy is the continued enslavement of the centre of excellence.”
Pleading with all PVC holders, both Lagosians and non-Lagosians, to ensure they vote “notwithstanding the intimidation, harassment and blackmail currently being visited on PDP members,” Agbaje reminded them that, “By voting, we gain power. But by choosing not to vote, we surrender it. We cannot therefore create the society that we want if we surrender our power to choose.”
“In moments like this, when we are faced with fear or threatened in the presence of intimidation, we must remember that as a bully, the ruling party is just acting out its true nature and this has less to do about you and more to do with their own deep-seated fear that power is slipping away.
“The only way therefore to fight tyranny is to vote out the tyrants. Enough is enough.
“No one has said it would be easy, but it is possible. And it will be done. Let’s make history together in this election. Let’s #setlagosfree.”
In the same vein, the PDP candidate has warned that the violence that marred the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly polls in some parts of Lagos will not be tolerated in the Governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls on March 9.
He warned that the ‘political atrocities’ unleashed on his supporters by the ruling party must not repeat itself again.
According to him, all registered voters, irrespective of their sex, tribe and political leanings, must be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice, in a free and fair election, and in an atmosphere devoid of any form of intimidation or blackmail.
“What APC and their thugs did to our people in the last election was horrible and terrible, and every right thinking Nigerian as well as all lovers of peace, democracy, freedom and everything good should stand up to condemn it.
“People must be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice. And not being disenfranchised or dictated to in what could be likened to gun point. Enough is enough. A free and fair election is all we ask for. And not the mayhem that was visited on my people and PDP lovers on February 23.
“Nearly all our people were prevented from voting in our strongholds like Orile, Okota, Oshodi-Isolo, Surulere, Festac Town, Alaba, etc. And to ensure this, what did APC do? They allowed elections to go smoothly in their strongholds, but deliberately instigated violence and confusion in ours.
“I have said it repeatedly. Lagosians are tired of a one-man Lagos. A Lagos where many work like elephants, but eat like ants. They want freedom and that is what Jimi Agbaje embodies and epitomizes. That is also why everybody loves Jimi Agbaje. That is again why they love PDP and the Gospel of freedom, which we have taken to all the nooks and crannies of Lagos.
“APC and their agents must therefore allow our people’s votes to count. Allow people to vote for candidates of their choice. But more importantly, in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation, harassment and violence.
“A free Lagos is coming. A free Lagos is what Jimi Agbaje is promising Lagosians. And that free Lagos they will get on Saturday, March 9, 2019.”
To ensure a level playing ground, Agbaje, called on security agencies to be alive to their core responsibility of ensuring law and order.
According to him, “The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, assisted by the other security agencies, must stem this ugly tide. Most especially in areas like Oshodi, Lagos Island, Okota, Surulere and so on where pockets of violence have so far been recorded against presumed PDP supporters.
“Security has to be beefed up in those areas. And even every other area. More so, as the governorship and HOA elections are fast approaching. APC and their supporters should also be made to understand that they have no right whatsoever to force anybody to vote for their preferred candidates. Voters must be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice. It’s actually their right and prerogative. And not something you shove down their throats, as if they are your slaves.
“Also, this idea of disrupting their business activities simply because they are not in political alignment with you must be condemned by all men and women of good conscience. As a matter of fact, the Lagos APC, with what we are now witnessing, is setting a bad precedent in the political annals of our country. Surprisingly, neither Governor Akinwunmi Ambode nor his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has spoken officially against this. Which is also worrisome.
“These troublemakers have to be urgently reined in before they do more damage to the cordial relationship that exists between people of different ethnic groups living in Lagos. Finally, I implore all our teeming supporters to continue to tow the path of peace and eschew all forms of violence. On March 9, make sure you get to your polling booths on time, with your PVC, vote for PDP, wait for your votes to be counted and then allow God to do the rest. Victory is ours and Lagos, like former Zambian leader, Kenneth Kaunda said, shall be free.”
