By KEMI KASUMU
The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olajide popularly called Jandor has called on electorate in the state to vote the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the 16th President of Nigeria in the February 2022 presidential election to end the 23 years of “Baba Sope” (undemocratic democracy) in Lagos.
By doing so, he said a victory for Atiku at the presidential poll will mean an easy ascension for him at the April 2023 governorship as, according to him, those who will have worked against his victory during the poll will not be available as they will have run away for fear of their lives following the February loss.
Jandor, who addressed PDP campaign rally flanked by his running mate, Funke Akindele, in Lagos during the week, told the party’s supporters that he will stop all forms of harassment by the members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) popularly known as Agbero and other miscreants hibernating in all motor parks, garages and causing hardship for people across markets in the state.
He said, “In the last 23 years we haven’t seen anything in Lagos and it is time for us to have a meaningful government in Lagos by voting me.
“Poverty rate has increased since Sanwo-Olu took over despite his claims of investment of N10 billion in the employment trust fund in Lagos.
“Funke and I have been contributing our quota and employing people, we pay our taxes but Sanwo-Olu and his deputy don’t.”
“Let me use this opportunity to tell the people of Lagos that you say the touts are terrorising you but the government doesn’t want that to stop. As your governor, I will stop all forms of harassment in markets and motor parks and this is our pledge to the people of Lagos,” Jandor said.
In the meantime, the Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has told Lagosians that 2023 is now the time for them to liberate themselves from the 23 years of dictatorship in Lagos State.
He warned the people against returning APC to power both in the state and at the Federal level.
Speaking at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos venue of the PDP rally, the former Vice President also discredited the APC’s claims of building major infrastructure in the state and added that only “a single family has ruled the state for 23 years.”
Breaking the Tinubu’s claims into pieces, Atiku said, “the Federal Government built the Third Mainland Bridge, Agege Motor Road and other road infrastructures in the state, the APC govt is lying to you about developing Lagos,” he said.
According to Atiku, “It is time for you to liberate yourself from a family govt in power for over 23 years, by voting Jandor as your Governor”.
The PDP flagbearer also promised to privatise all the refineries to raise $10 billion for women and youth empowerment in the country.
Continuing again reiterated that he would set aside $10 billion to support youth and women empowerment.
He said, “I will set aside 10 billion to empower young men and women. People have asked how I will get the money but If I privatise the Warri refinery and others, I will get the money,” he told the mammoth crowd in Lagos.
Atiku further emphasised restructuring of the country if elected.
“If I am voted I will restructure the country. For the past 23 years you have been voting one family it is time to liberate yourselves and vote Jandor.”
Recall that many elder statesmen in the country have called for restructurimg which some have argued would solve some of the national problems currently facing the country.
Speaking also at the rally, the party’s Vice Presidential candidate and governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa told the crowd that, “I know Lagos is ready to deliver a massive vote for the PDP in the 2023 polls.
“Atiku is acceptable all over the country and he is the one who can deliver to the people. PDP wants to restore the last glory of the country.
“The resources of Lagos must be used for the people. Not where the rich will become richer and poor poorer. Atiku is the only candidate that can restore the glory of the lost country. Therefore go from door to door and house to house campaign to the people, PDP will restore Nigeria’s greatness, Okowa said.
On his party, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorcha Ayu told the gathering that Atiku will make Nigeria the best country in Africa.
He assured the people of Lagos that if Atiku is elected, he would abolish the multiple taxation system in Lagos.
He said, “Lagos is going to be liberated. We are going to rescue lagos from the hands of people who don’t want the progress of NIgeria. Liberating Lagos is liberating Nigeria.
“It is a state that shouldn’t be in poverty. Atiku is ready to liberate lagos, he won’t over taxed you like the multiple taxation going on in Lagos.
He urged the crowd of supporters to “vote Jandor and all our candidates and above all we shall recover the Aso rock”, he said.
