RATTLED by the absence of Governor Babatunde Fashola at the sitting of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue in Lagos on Friday, Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the governor, whom it alleged, deliberately boycotted the meeting.
But in a swift reaction, the Interim Deputy Spokesman, Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Funso Ologunde, said the PDP has once again exhibited inadequate knowledge and mischief over the issue of the national dialogue.
Meanwhile, a 27-man committee assigned with the responsibility of sensitising Tarabans on the need to participate effectively in the forthcoming national dialogue, has been constituted by the Taraba State government.
The Lagos State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Taofik Gani, described Fashola’s action as unpatriotic, anarchist and condemnable, adding that the governor has finally betrayed the oath of office to represent the interest of Lagos State over and above the interest of his political party.
According to Gani, “Fashola’s subsequent but belated contributions from the State House in Marina, amounts to mere talk and indeed another afterthought reflective of his style of numerous hasty conclusions in government.
“It was wrong of the governor to boycott the PAC session within his domain. He even coerced traditional rulers and prominent Lagos chiefs against attending the session. This is disservice to the state and we are convinced that the people of Lagos are indeed vexed that such a noble opportunity for their plights to be contained in the committee’s report can be jettisoned on the altar of parochialism and partisanship. Indeed, this unpopular decision of the governor and his party in the state further confirms that they are rookies and taking Lagos State to no positive destination.”
Gani added that the governor ought to have, at the least, attended the session and presented his criticisms just as was boldly done by his counterpart in Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
PDP demanded that the governor should tender a public apology to the people of the state for such “unpopular decision”, which has now embarrassed the state in a national programme.
Ologunde, however, said that Fashola in his official position, received the committee members in his office where he reminded them that he was bound by the decision already taken by his party, APC.
According to Ologunde, “The rules that set up the national dialogue committee stated that state governments should not organise delegates at any of its fora, therefore, if Fashola was present at the meeting on Friday, he would have been there as a mere citizen of the country and what purpose would that be for him since he has received the committee.
“PDP is disappointed because Fashola’s absence did not give them the opportunity to mete out the kind of embarrassment they gave to Oshiomhole during the session of the committee meeting held in Edo State recently,” he said.
Source: Guardian
