Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Saturday, April 11, 2015 election in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje has reacted to claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Akinwunmi Ambode that Lagos State would do better if it was aligned to the Federal Government, stating that Lagos has always thrived while being in the opposition.
Speaking via a statement issued on Sunday, April 5, 2015, Agbaje said Lagos has, since the Second and Third Republics when Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Sir Michael Otedola were Governors, been in the opposition party and had thrived all the same.
Agbaje further debunked rumours that the incoming government of president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari would maltreat Lagos State if PDP wins the governorship election, stating that General Buhari had pledged not to run a vindictive government.
Agbaje said: “What I know, however, is that Lagos has always made progress in spite of being in the opposition. In fact, if my memory serves me well, Lagos and the Federal Government have never been in the same party. Our development as a state is as a result of our ingenuity, tenacity and drive as a people and it is clear that Lagosians can see through this total botch of logic.
“In 1979 up till 1983, L.K Jakande’s achievements were under the UPN even though President Shagari was in the NPN. In 1992, Governor Otedola was in the NRC and the Social Democratic Party-led the Federal Government before the June 12 annulment. In 1999, Tinubu was in the AD while the Federal Government was in the PDP.
“From 2007-2011, Governor Fashola was in the Action Congress of Nigeria while President Umaru Yar’adua was in the PDP. Under Yar’Adua, the Federal Government released withheld funds to Lagos that had been blocked by his predecessor (Olusegun Obasanjo) despite being in a different party from Fashola. Our edge as a state has always been about our collective ability to stay ahead of the curve without favour from the Federal Government.”
