The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Adamu Mu’azu has condemned the threat by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiou to Igbos in the state to vote for Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday, April 11, 2015 governorship election in the Lagos State, stating that the popularity of the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje was the beginning to make the APC and its supporters dish out such threats.
Speaking via a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, Mu’azu expressed his worry over the silence of the incoming APC government over the issue, saying that Lagos State must conform with the change which has been felt at the federal level.
Mu’azu said: “I do hope that the news emanating from the palace of the Oba of Lagos is not the APC way of showing us a shock preview of their style of government from May 29th 2015. The PDP has shown a heavy commitment to institutionalizing democracy in Nigeria by encouraging Nigerians to vote according to their conscience in a free, fair and credible election.
“Lagos State cannot remain an island of continuity in a sea of change. For the next Saturday April 11 gubernatorial elections, the formidable PDP candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje should easily beat his rival All Progressive Congress flag bearer Mr Akinwumi Ambode in the elections.
“The PDP came very close to winning the presidential elections in Lagos state and our supporters must not relent because Lagos is going the PDP way for the first time since 1999. It is going to be a desirable change because the pedigree of our candidate is formidable. This has obviously caused consternation in the APC as they continue to find a way of stopping the Jimi Agbaje success train in its tracks.
“Unfortunately, the attempt to halt the Agbaje movement has hit the rocks. The key the PDP needs to win a historic victory in Lagos is for our supporters to turn out en mass and vote for our brilliant candidate Jimi Agbaje. We must eschew voter-apathy because we are in the midst of a new dawn in Lagos.
“There are far too many reasons why AGBAJE will take the majority votes in the elections. He is more articulate, more experienced and ready to give good governance to the people of Lagos. Jimi Agbaje is simply a man of the people. This apart, the APC is in a state of panic in Lagos and resorting to threats to force non indigenes to vote for Ambode.
“The furor generated by the Oba of Lagos when he chided Igbo leaders because the people voted against the APC is disheartening, especially coming from a highly revered traditional ruler who was a top police officer before his retirement. I am surprised that the new government-in-waiting kept mum at this blatant intimidation and rape of democracy by those who claim to be the sponsors of the Ambode for Governor Campaign.
“By conceding the presidency, the PDP has shown a capacity to allow democracy thrive in our country, but if the next ruling party cannot concede a state if they are beaten fair and square, then there must be something very, very wrong with the APC.”
