Tax and education were on call as Akinwunmi Ambode and Jimi Agbaje went head to head in a public debate on Thursday, January 15 and exchanged the most fireworks for Lagos governor’s office, even with eight other hats in the ring.
Ambode, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Agbaje, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also dulled with lesser known contenders for the top job in Nigeria’s most powerful and richest state by internally generated revenue (IGR).
The debate, the third in the series, was organised by the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Lagos West in collaboration with the Diocese of Badagry and Mainland.
It was attended by 10 of the 17 candidates for Round House, Alausa.
The other debaters include Ayodele Akele (National Conscience Party, NCP); Adeniji Victor (Kowa Party, KP); Ishola Aregbesola (Action Alliance, AA).
Others included Robert Okey Okoroji (All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA) represented by his deputy, Izuchukwu Edwin; Jacobs Kayode (Mega Progressives Peoples Party, MPPP); Ogunseye Bolaji (Alliance for Democracy, AD); Lawal Omoshola (Independent Democrats, ID), and Michael Popoola, running mate of Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olulana Olurotimi.
Some regaled the audience with laughter as they seemed unprepared for the task. A few complained that they were not informed in time, others simply talked about their curriculum vitaes.
Ambode vs Agbaje on tax
But Ambode and Agbaje, the two front runners, gave account of themselves; and others such as Ayodele, Ogunseye, and Kayode also make a strong showing.
The core issues espoused by the debaters are good governance, empowerment, accountability, shelter, security, housing, tax, and education, among others. The two issues that generated most argument and disagreement were tax and education.
All, except Ambode, came down hard on the tax regime in the state, with some describing it as a burden on residents. Others criticised it for diverting investment to neighbouring states.
Ambode said: “There are eight million residents of Lagos who should be in the tax net but we have only four million captured at present. The next strategy is to ensure that we become more efficient in generating more revenue internally.
“We will be more creative with it by pleading with those that are yet to embrace the payment of tax in the state. The tax we get is what we have used to develop the state.”
Agbaje differed, saying, “the state government is putting the burden of the eight million persons who should have paid tax on the four million tax payers. And it is heavy and they are grumbling.
“You have to expand the tax net rather than over burden the few that are complying. Also, there is need to expand the economy to create more jobs and others.”
Agbaje, the main contender against the APC establishment in the state, argued that revenue generated is enough to cater for the needs of residents but “there is a lot of wastage by the government” and “at the moment, the state does not encourage businesses” because of that.
Kayode
Kayode reiterated that tax regime has forced “a lot of SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) to relocate to Ogijo and Mowe in Ogun State”. He promised to give tax holidays to the smaller companies so that they can thrive.
Akele
Akele also moaned about the tax regime, stressing that besides its burden, the money generated is being embezzled by some people.
His words: “The bulk of the revenue generated by the state government is being mismanaged by some individuals.
“But when I am elected, I will use 15 per cent of the revenue generated in the state to run the service and we will terminate the contract of those private individuals who manage the tax administration in the state. And we will have enough funds to provide infrastructure.”
Tax generates 70% Lagos revenue
Ambode, the choice of the Lagos establishment, defended the tax policy, explaining that since the falling global oil prices has its effect on the economy, the state has to resort to tax.
“Two-third of the Lagos revenue is generated from tax. And we knew that a day like this will come and that was why we strengthened our tax system. We’re the only state not dependent on fluctuations in oil prices,” he explained.
The argument did not gel with Ogunseye, who insisted that “the drop in oil price globally does not translate to over-taxing the residents. Rather than increase the tax levies, I will increase production and the number of people engaged in it. Our problem is that few people are doing the job.”
On education
Agbaje faulted the state’s commitment to education, saying it is all about paying salaries and overheads rather than being creative and innovative.
He said: “82 per cent of the state budget in this sector is spent on recurrent expenditure. All the fund allocated to education is always spent on salaries. And with that, our education will not improve. The education of today is not for the factory but about creativity.
“The state government spends 3 per cent on primary education, and that is the key, because if the foundation is not effective, there can never be solid structure.”
He promised to reverse the trend by creating “a global megacity of well-educated, healthy, skilled people living in a secure and prosperous environment.”
Kayode lamented that everything is wrong with education in Lagos as students who graduate from its Colleges of Education do not go into teaching because the government has not made teaching attractive.
Akele noted that one of the greatest problems is that public school classrooms are overcrowded and not conducive for learning.
“The student ratio in our time was 20 students to a teacher. But in Lagos, our classrooms are like a venue for town hall meeting. We will reduce the population in the classrooms.
“For instance, infrastructure in Lagos State University (LASU) is in shambles. It is a disservice to the founders of the institution. The current government has inflicted injury on the residents of the state,” he lamented.
Ambode fired back by taking on his main rival, Agbaje.
“Agbaje said 85 per cent of the state budget is spent on salary. That is not true. He didn’t understand that there are several schools in the state and the population of the pupils is increasing daily. And the number of teachers must also increase.
“Obviously, the numbers reflect the number of teachers and others that were gainfully employed by the government. Also, there would be a need to review the curriculum to ensure that our youths meet international standards,” Ambode promised.
He explained that the 3 per cent is only the state’s contribution to States’ Universal Education Board (SUBEB) funded by the federal government.
Experience and acronyms
The issue of experience in public service was also raised, during which Ambode flaunted of his 25 years’ experience. Agbaje countered that experience in private sector could even serve better in governance as it is free from vested interests.
The two major gladiators couched in acronym the programmes they intend to implement if elected.
Ambode tagged his L.A.G.O.S (Leadership, Accountability, Good Governance, Opportunity and Selfless service. Agbaje called his S.H.E.L.L.T.E.R (Security, Housing, Economic Empowerment, Leadership).
Panelists
The debate was moderated by Bishop Theologian, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev Dapo Asaju, in panel that also included Nigerian Guild of Editors President, Femi Adesina; Excel Professional Services Managing Director, Oladimeji Alao, and former Businessworld Managing Director, Ray Echebiri.
Reason for debate
Rev James Odedeji, the Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, said it was the church’s way of encouraging the election of the best leaders in Lagos.
He urged all agencies involved in the conduct of the elections to be God-fearing in discharging their responsibilities.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media, and civil society groups “to be fair to all and realise that they will give account of their stewardship one day to their creator.”