The governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje has promised adherence to the principle of “IBILE” in the allocation of government portfolios if elected as governor of Lagos state.
Agbaje, speaking at a town hall meeting with indigenes of Ikorodu in Lagos state, said that this principle is based on his belief that the dream to ensure the emergence of Lagos as a megacity cannot be realized without the full co-operation of the indigenes. Therefore, he assures inhabitants of Ikorodu that the “IBILE” philosophy would be revived and duly followed under an Agbaje administration.
“IBILE” is an acronym which stands for the five major indigenous areas of Lagos which must be reflected fairly in the composition of appointments and allocations from the state government. I is for Ikorodu, B for Badagry, I for Ikeja, L is for Lagos Island and E stands for Epe.
Ikorodu indigenes are particularly miffed that it is the other four areas of Lagos that have so far, enjoyed the major benefits of governance and federal or state appointments in the state.
“It is now four out of the former five areas that are enjoying the full patronage of governance, Ikorodu has been left out of the running and administration of the state in a long time, “ Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab, a top indigene of the state said.
Earlier, Agbaje, OON, has vowed that they would resist attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the forthcoming general elections.
He promised to follow in the footsteps laid by Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, whom he praised for making landmark innovations in the educational system and in the provisions of infrastructure like potable water and roads.
According to him, unlike the current dispensation that had spent the last 19 years and colossal budgets that had not led to remarkable improvement in the life of the Lagosian, Jakande’s four years had been replete with unforgettable achievements in several areas.
Speaking in Eti-Osa and Kosofe Council on Sunday and Monday as part of a series of town hall meetings being convened across the state, Agbaje told residents that PDP was determined to prevent the rigging that had robbed him and other party candidates of victory in 2015.
In Eti-Osa, he met with members of the Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA) who placed some demands before him while he met with a cross section of traditional rulers, members of the PDP as well as business and community leaders in Kosofe on Monday.
Addressing his audience in Ogudu, headquarters of Kosofe Local Government, Agbaje stated that the people of the state should resolve to guard and protect their votes this time.
Agbaje, who narrowly lost the position to the incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode in 2015, told his audience that the PDP in the state would do everything lawful to win all elections slated to hold in the state.
Speaking in Yoruba, Agbaje said, “This (governorship) election is a process that would lead to the freedom of our people. It is a process that would free us from tyranny, graft and waste. APC members know that they have been rejected by the people and the only option left for them to remain in power is to rig.
“This time, we are ready for them. There won’t be any opportunity for them to rig the coming election. I am urging our women to come out. You know if the women prevent you from wrongdoing and you try to venture into it, it would fail. We will vote peacefully and make sure that our votes count at the end of the day.”
He lamented the fact that the people of Lagos were in dire need of potable water, promising that when elected, his government would make conscious efforts towards resuscitating the moribund mini-water works across the state.
The governorship hopeful had on Sunday assured residents of the various communities in Lekki axis of the state that his government would build a new coastal road and demolish the toll gate on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Lamenting the fact that only one road led into the various communities within the axis, Agbaje said, “There should be a second road to the one we have here. We are going to ensure that the road is properly constructed. The road is there. It is just for us to properly rehabilitate it so that the people would properly utilise it.”
Taking a cue from the current traffic logjam in the Apapa axis of the state, Agbaje stated that his government would ensure that the right measures were put in place to forestall a recurrence when the Dangote Refinery became operational.
“I live in the Apapa axis of the state so, I know what it is to live with traffic logjam. In two years’ time the Dangote Refinery will come on board but the current rulers are not doing much to anticipate the disruption that would come with it,” he said.
On security, Agbaje stated that efforts would be geared towards community policing in a way that would ensure greater mobility that was needed for quick response in times of emergency.
Earlier, the President of the association, Olorogun James Emadoye, had reeled out series of issues plaguing the axis, with a call on Agbaje to address them on being voted into office.
Emadoye listed bad roads, flooding, lack of primary healthcare facilities as well as inadequate schools as major headaches in the axis.
