Spokesman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Taofeek Gani, in this interview with BOLA BADMUS,
says that Lagos residents are ready to vote for the party in 2015 and dares the
All Progressives Congress (APC) to hold local government polls now. Excerpts:
Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Taofeek Gani, in this interview with BOLA BADMUS,
says that Lagos residents are ready to vote for the party in 2015 and dares the
All Progressives Congress (APC) to hold local government polls now. Excerpts:
The 2015 poll is around the corner, how prepared is
your party in the state to contest the election?
your party in the state to contest the election?
The Lagos State PDP is well-prepared to contest the 2015
election. As a matter of fact, our readiness at this time is mathematically
above 80 per cent and I can tell you that politically, we are comfortable.
Indeed, this is why the APC in the state is no longer comfortable with
arrangements for elections. Example is the decision not to conduct local
council elections. We dare (Governor Babatunde) Fashola to allow the conduct of
the elections and see if they are still popular in the state.
election. As a matter of fact, our readiness at this time is mathematically
above 80 per cent and I can tell you that politically, we are comfortable.
Indeed, this is why the APC in the state is no longer comfortable with
arrangements for elections. Example is the decision not to conduct local
council elections. We dare (Governor Babatunde) Fashola to allow the conduct of
the elections and see if they are still popular in the state.
Our preparations that have been properly coordinated this
time are unprecedented in Lagos PDP. I commend the present state chairman,
Captain Tunji Shele, for this coordination. The APC knows this, but they cannot
avoid the imminent defeat that will befall it under free and fair elections.
time are unprecedented in Lagos PDP. I commend the present state chairman,
Captain Tunji Shele, for this coordination. The APC knows this, but they cannot
avoid the imminent defeat that will befall it under free and fair elections.
But the APC has always been dismissing your party as
unserious, saying that Lagosians cannot vote you because you have nothing
tangible to offer them. What do you have to say to that?
unserious, saying that Lagosians cannot vote you because you have nothing
tangible to offer them. What do you have to say to that?
The unserious party is the party that the ruling party
(APC) now takes serious! Anyway, we will engage them on issue- based campaign
and not abuses or mudslinging as they are notorious for.
(APC) now takes serious! Anyway, we will engage them on issue- based campaign
and not abuses or mudslinging as they are notorious for.
Today, the Lagos State PDP is the threat to the APC. The
governor is so uncomfortable with our soaring popularity that at each 100 days
wasteful celebration, he must have one reaction or the other to make on what
Lagos PDP has said about the government indeed, our constructive critique. This
is also one reason that Lagosians see us as very serious and reliable
alternative government to the APC.
governor is so uncomfortable with our soaring popularity that at each 100 days
wasteful celebration, he must have one reaction or the other to make on what
Lagos PDP has said about the government indeed, our constructive critique. This
is also one reason that Lagosians see us as very serious and reliable
alternative government to the APC.
Lagosians are more confident and expecting us to take
over governance in the state now than at any other period. This is a
confirmation of the rejection they have for APC. They will in fact curse us if
we refuse to win the next elections in Lagos State. We will want to commend
Fashola for this of misgovernance and high-handedness. His administration has
piled up monumental debt for future generations in the state to agonise over.
over governance in the state now than at any other period. This is a
confirmation of the rejection they have for APC. They will in fact curse us if
we refuse to win the next elections in Lagos State. We will want to commend
Fashola for this of misgovernance and high-handedness. His administration has
piled up monumental debt for future generations in the state to agonise over.
This is in spite of the huge IGR of N32 billion every
month and the increased Federal Government supports. Yet, all the assumed
developments in the state are not direct impact of the taxes and loans but by
concessionaires, corporate bodies and Federal Government. Fashola’s
administration has helped exposed APC as an anti-masses party and thus made
Lagos State winnable for PDP. You cannot find such economic exploitation,
victimisation and human rights violations as you find in Lagos State in PDP
states.
month and the increased Federal Government supports. Yet, all the assumed
developments in the state are not direct impact of the taxes and loans but by
concessionaires, corporate bodies and Federal Government. Fashola’s
administration has helped exposed APC as an anti-masses party and thus made
Lagos State winnable for PDP. You cannot find such economic exploitation,
victimisation and human rights violations as you find in Lagos State in PDP
states.
For instance, when you talk of ban on okada, I want to
say that in all PDP states where there is ban on okada, the riders were
adequately compensated and re-employed. Similarly, on education, Lagos State
increased its university fee to N375, 000, but it is laughable to see Governor
Fashola reverse such violations because election is here. Lagosians cannot be
fooled the second time. We will teach APC political lesson in 2015. Then they
will know we are serious, reliable and Lagosians’ hope.
say that in all PDP states where there is ban on okada, the riders were
adequately compensated and re-employed. Similarly, on education, Lagos State
increased its university fee to N375, 000, but it is laughable to see Governor
Fashola reverse such violations because election is here. Lagosians cannot be
fooled the second time. We will teach APC political lesson in 2015. Then they
will know we are serious, reliable and Lagosians’ hope.
How come that for the past 15 years, your party has
continued to suffer losses in the hands of APC in Lagos?
continued to suffer losses in the hands of APC in Lagos?
For the records, APC has not won any elections in Lagos
State. The name APC in Nigeria’s polity is kindergarten. However, for purposes
of your question, I believe strongly that the PDP lost to the original Alliance
for Democracy in 1999 because of the then AD leaders’ adoption of Chief Obafemi
Awolowo’s political thought. For what Awo did in the region as a whole, it was
difficult to get Yoruba populated Lagos electorate vote another party other
than AD. AD was a core Yoruba party, and PDP was blackmailed as a non-Yoruba
party. Unknowingly to the Yoruba leaders, they never knew that they had a
betrayer in the then former governor of Lagos State and now national leader of
APC. He “dealt” with them, some now dead and he completely took over the AD as
a “bastardised AD.” He went ahead to compromise the electoral process and “won”
the 2003 elections.
State. The name APC in Nigeria’s polity is kindergarten. However, for purposes
of your question, I believe strongly that the PDP lost to the original Alliance
for Democracy in 1999 because of the then AD leaders’ adoption of Chief Obafemi
Awolowo’s political thought. For what Awo did in the region as a whole, it was
difficult to get Yoruba populated Lagos electorate vote another party other
than AD. AD was a core Yoruba party, and PDP was blackmailed as a non-Yoruba
party. Unknowingly to the Yoruba leaders, they never knew that they had a
betrayer in the then former governor of Lagos State and now national leader of
APC. He “dealt” with them, some now dead and he completely took over the AD as
a “bastardised AD.” He went ahead to compromise the electoral process and “won”
the 2003 elections.
However, some pundits believe till today that the PDP won
that election, but suffered betrayal within its own system. Many members will
not forget the alleged role played by a former vice president in that election.
that election, but suffered betrayal within its own system. Many members will
not forget the alleged role played by a former vice president in that election.
In 2007, PDP was faced with internal contradictions. In
spite of the poor performance of the Tinubu administration, he yet sold the
propagandists status of SAN conferred on Governor Fashola and wooed Lagosians
towards the AC. The process was hugely compromised to favour the AC.
spite of the poor performance of the Tinubu administration, he yet sold the
propagandists status of SAN conferred on Governor Fashola and wooed Lagosians
towards the AC. The process was hugely compromised to favour the AC.
By 2011, the ACN had perfected the act of rigging
elections and defending it with some compromised media. So, if it is true that
PDP has never won Lagos State in the last 15 years, it is also not true that
the Tinubu-led political family won free and fair elections in 2003, 2007 and
2011.
elections and defending it with some compromised media. So, if it is true that
PDP has never won Lagos State in the last 15 years, it is also not true that
the Tinubu-led political family won free and fair elections in 2003, 2007 and
2011.
Incessant crisis has been identified as the major
problems of Lagos PDP, a factor that has continued to rob the party of victory.
Can you shed light on the belief in some quarters that some fifth columnists
are planted in your party by APC ahead of any poll?
problems of Lagos PDP, a factor that has continued to rob the party of victory.
Can you shed light on the belief in some quarters that some fifth columnists
are planted in your party by APC ahead of any poll?
For sake of clarity, there is no uncommon disagreement in
Lagos PDP. The party has had its own share of teething stage as expected of any
opposition party. The unavoidable disagreements have all become a thing of the
past. The party has come out big, strong and reliable so the noise about crisis
in the fold is sponsored by the APC. They want to incite the leaders against
themselves. They are not happy and comfortable with the permanent accord and
unity among our leaders. We have achieved this by God’s grace and the uncommon
leadership of our state chairman. Our prime leader, Chief Olabode George, the
pathfinder, is sure going to enjoy the long awaited victory to Alausa at this
time.
Lagos PDP. The party has had its own share of teething stage as expected of any
opposition party. The unavoidable disagreements have all become a thing of the
past. The party has come out big, strong and reliable so the noise about crisis
in the fold is sponsored by the APC. They want to incite the leaders against
themselves. They are not happy and comfortable with the permanent accord and
unity among our leaders. We have achieved this by God’s grace and the uncommon
leadership of our state chairman. Our prime leader, Chief Olabode George, the
pathfinder, is sure going to enjoy the long awaited victory to Alausa at this
time.
Many opposition moles who used to spy on our strategies
have either been politically fumigated or rendered politically impotent to hurt
us again. This is again due to our new strategies. We shall, however, guard
this unity jealously and continue to demobilise any remaining fifth columnist
in our system. For those unrepentant moles in the system, we caution them to be
very cautious as our new found searchlight will expose them soonest.
have either been politically fumigated or rendered politically impotent to hurt
us again. This is again due to our new strategies. We shall, however, guard
this unity jealously and continue to demobilise any remaining fifth columnist
in our system. For those unrepentant moles in the system, we caution them to be
very cautious as our new found searchlight will expose them soonest.
Your party is believed to have anointed a candidate
for governorship post ahead of 2015 election. What is the situation and don’t
you think this is another way of causing crisis again?
for governorship post ahead of 2015 election. What is the situation and don’t
you think this is another way of causing crisis again?
To the best of my knowledge, there is no iota of truth in
the said rumours that the party has anointed any person as its governorship
candidate. The National Chairman of our great party has said many times that
there will be level playing field for all. You saw how Governor Ayodele Fayose
emerged in Ekiti State. Against the gang-up and name dropping, he won the
party’s open primary and went ahead to win the main election. Governor Fayose
was expected by people, so also will our party appreciate the expectation of
Lagosians to give them who they wish at this time. We shall downplay sentiments
but hear and obey the clarion call of Lagos electorate on who is best fit to
fly our flag at this time.
the said rumours that the party has anointed any person as its governorship
candidate. The National Chairman of our great party has said many times that
there will be level playing field for all. You saw how Governor Ayodele Fayose
emerged in Ekiti State. Against the gang-up and name dropping, he won the
party’s open primary and went ahead to win the main election. Governor Fayose
was expected by people, so also will our party appreciate the expectation of
Lagosians to give them who they wish at this time. We shall downplay sentiments
but hear and obey the clarion call of Lagos electorate on who is best fit to
fly our flag at this time.
I can beat my chest that all the Lagos PDP serious
governorship aspirants are fit and proper to govern Lagos State, they will also
enjoy equal treatment, before, during and after the elections. None will lose
out in this project to wrest Lagos from Tinubu’s control.
governorship aspirants are fit and proper to govern Lagos State, they will also
enjoy equal treatment, before, during and after the elections. None will lose
out in this project to wrest Lagos from Tinubu’s control.
The APC has often said that the PDP can only rig to
win Lagos. They believe that the Ekiti poll was rigged technically with hooded
security men, including soldiers that were mobilised to the state, but that you
failed in Osun. Are you going to mobilise hooded security men to win Lagos?
win Lagos. They believe that the Ekiti poll was rigged technically with hooded
security men, including soldiers that were mobilised to the state, but that you
failed in Osun. Are you going to mobilise hooded security men to win Lagos?
We are excited to hear APC jitters and is no more
confident to control Lagos voters. The unfounded cry that the PDP wants to rig
Lagos elections shows that the APC has lost the confidence of the people.
Indeed, rigging can only be done in an area of popularity. So if APC says PDP
can rig elections in Lagos, they are admitting defeat and unpopularity.
confident to control Lagos voters. The unfounded cry that the PDP wants to rig
Lagos elections shows that the APC has lost the confidence of the people.
Indeed, rigging can only be done in an area of popularity. So if APC says PDP
can rig elections in Lagos, they are admitting defeat and unpopularity.
We are, however, not planning to rig election in Lagos
State. We will win clean and clear. If we defeat them in their own LASIEC
organised elections, we can of course defeat them in an election conducted by
neutral body.
State. We will win clean and clear. If we defeat them in their own LASIEC
organised elections, we can of course defeat them in an election conducted by
neutral body.
The talk about hooded security men during elections can
be addressed to security chiefs. We also have it on record that the APC is a
violent party and we will support use of adequate security during elections in
Lagos State. There should not be any fear for any law-abiding electorate,
whether security agents are hooded or not. The APC remains a blackmailer and a
bad sportsman political party. They have chosen to berate the election in Ekiti
State because they lost there.
be addressed to security chiefs. We also have it on record that the APC is a
violent party and we will support use of adequate security during elections in
Lagos State. There should not be any fear for any law-abiding electorate,
whether security agents are hooded or not. The APC remains a blackmailer and a
bad sportsman political party. They have chosen to berate the election in Ekiti
State because they lost there.
What are the “sins” of APC government in Lagos or what
is your party going to do differently from what the incumbent administration of
Fashola is doing if the PDP forms the next government in Lagos?
is your party going to do differently from what the incumbent administration of
Fashola is doing if the PDP forms the next government in Lagos?
The sins of the ruling party in Lagos State since 1999
cannot be exhausted in a 1,000-page book. We shall, however, reel them out at
the appropriate time. They are campaign issues and we intend to leave our
gunpowder dry till the expected debates.
cannot be exhausted in a 1,000-page book. We shall, however, reel them out at
the appropriate time. They are campaign issues and we intend to leave our
gunpowder dry till the expected debates.
Many of such sins are already in the public, whilst many
more are going to be exposed to Lagosians. This time around, Lagosians have
rejected them and they shall not get the pardon to go and sin no more.
more are going to be exposed to Lagosians. This time around, Lagosians have
rejected them and they shall not get the pardon to go and sin no more.
The APC is poised to take over power from President
Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 reportedly with either Buhari/Fashola or
Atiku/Oshiomhole ticket, is your party jittery?
Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 reportedly with either Buhari/Fashola or
Atiku/Oshiomhole ticket, is your party jittery?
APC poses no serious threat to PDP. We can thus not be
jittery over their mere ranting. They must do this grandstanding to justify
financial supports from their sponsors.
jittery over their mere ranting. They must do this grandstanding to justify
financial supports from their sponsors.
President Jonathan will defeat any APC candidate. The
president has performed so well that he can win the re-election even as an
independent candidate. The APC has a leadership of political jobbers, so we
don’t take them serious because we know their price at the appropriate time.
president has performed so well that he can win the re-election even as an
independent candidate. The APC has a leadership of political jobbers, so we
don’t take them serious because we know their price at the appropriate time.
I, however, honestly advise General Buhari to realise
that APC platform is too weak to make him president. He should allow Jonathan
complete a second term so that he can come and contest under PDP thereafter.
that APC platform is too weak to make him president. He should allow Jonathan
complete a second term so that he can come and contest under PDP thereafter.
If you are saying that the PDP is not jittery and that
Jonathan would still be voted, what do you think Nigerians would be voting in
him?
Jonathan would still be voted, what do you think Nigerians would be voting in
him?
Nigerians will reelect Jonathan because of his
achievements in spite of the instigated insurgency believed to be sponsored by
the militarised opposition.
achievements in spite of the instigated insurgency believed to be sponsored by
the militarised opposition.
Such areas include: guarantee of free and fair elections,
rehabilitation of roads and rail transportation, progress made in agriculture,
industries, affordable Federal Government higher institutions, soaring international
acceptance, best economy in Africa, among others.
rehabilitation of roads and rail transportation, progress made in agriculture,
industries, affordable Federal Government higher institutions, soaring international
acceptance, best economy in Africa, among others.
The result-oriented president Nigeria has had is
Jonathan. He is humble in performance and achievements. He is indeed a silent
achiever.
Jonathan. He is humble in performance and achievements. He is indeed a silent
achiever.
In spite the war-like situation in some parts of the country,
the president has still been able to hold the country together and deliver
dividends of democracy. The Boko Haram activities will surely come to an end
soonest.
the president has still been able to hold the country together and deliver
dividends of democracy. The Boko Haram activities will surely come to an end
soonest.
The president has done well in the area of creation of
employment. We must commend him for rehabilitating and giving skills and
employment to over seven million militants in the Niger Delta. Similarly is the
creation of YouWin, Sure-P, ITF empowerment, employment and intervention
programmes. Many youths have benefited from this.
employment. We must commend him for rehabilitating and giving skills and
employment to over seven million militants in the Niger Delta. Similarly is the
creation of YouWin, Sure-P, ITF empowerment, employment and intervention
programmes. Many youths have benefited from this.
The president cannot employ all. The governors, council
chairmen should also be challenged to account for unemployment in their
domains. In Lagos State, there is embargo on employment. Even those in the
civil service are not collecting minimum wage. Private employers are not giving
incentives to do business, but are rather overtaxed. PDP government in Lagos
State shall reduce present company taxes by at least 50 per cent. We shall have
an employment policy that will encourage companies to employ more for tax
concessions.
chairmen should also be challenged to account for unemployment in their
domains. In Lagos State, there is embargo on employment. Even those in the
civil service are not collecting minimum wage. Private employers are not giving
incentives to do business, but are rather overtaxed. PDP government in Lagos
State shall reduce present company taxes by at least 50 per cent. We shall have
an employment policy that will encourage companies to employ more for tax
concessions.
There is this controversy on the success recorded on
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) with Lagos government saying all the credit should go
to it, what do you have to say?
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) with Lagos government saying all the credit should go
to it, what do you have to say?
The PDP-controlled Federal Government exhibited
responsible and responsive governance. It shunned partisan politics and came to
the rescue of the Lagos State government.
responsible and responsive governance. It shunned partisan politics and came to
the rescue of the Lagos State government.
The virus started from Lagos, APC state. I tell you
that if it were a PDP state, the APC would have played politics with it and ask
for the resignation of the governor!
that if it were a PDP state, the APC would have played politics with it and ask
for the resignation of the governor!
The PDP president shunned pettiness and gave huge
financial, moral and infrastructural supports to Fashola and Lagos State. This
has been acknowledged by the international community. Unfortunately for the APC
government in the state, they attempted to claim credit for the Ebola success.
They have not acknowledged the prompt supports by the Federal Government. They
play politics with every opportunity. The same way they deny many Federal
Government interventions. We shall take advantage of the PDP National Publicity
Secretary tour of states to show Lagosians the many PDP-led Federal Government
projects and supports to Lagos State down-played by Fashola.
financial, moral and infrastructural supports to Fashola and Lagos State. This
has been acknowledged by the international community. Unfortunately for the APC
government in the state, they attempted to claim credit for the Ebola success.
They have not acknowledged the prompt supports by the Federal Government. They
play politics with every opportunity. The same way they deny many Federal
Government interventions. We shall take advantage of the PDP National Publicity
Secretary tour of states to show Lagosians the many PDP-led Federal Government
projects and supports to Lagos State down-played by Fashola.
Culled from Tribune
