The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos East District by-election, Tokunbo Abiru, said he would vigorously pursue fiscal federalism along with other legislators, if elected.
The former Managing Director of Polaris Bank spoke during a meeting with party elders, community leaders and residents in Ibeju-Lekki.
He said fiscal federalism was indispensable to national progress, adding that it would empower the states and promote even development.
Abiru said:”I will team up with other lawmakers to ensure fiscal federalism in Nigeria. As federating units ,our states cannot be viable with the current fiscal structure .
“There is need for review within the ambit of the existing legal framework to institutionalise fiscal federalism, with a view to encouraging healthy competition among states to promote even development.
“With the on-going constitutional review ,I will exploit this window of opportunity to push for a new fiscal federalism regime.”
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Abiru also said he would work with other federal lawmakers from Lagos to secure a special status for the state.
He said Lagos is facing enormous pressure as a former federal capital, maintaining that a special status would ensble it attract more federal presence.
The flagbearer promised to promote the ease of doing business in the state and the senatorial district .
Abiru described Ibeju-Lekki as a hub of business and industrial activities, promising to promote the prosperity of the area and other communitiies.
He also promised to make the welfare of the people his priorities through empowerment programmes and other interventions .
He said: “My total focus will be on the welfare of my constituents in Lagos East and Lagos at large .
“If and when elected ,I will use my good office ,my energy and resources to promote the welfare and wellbeing of the people of my constituency”,he said.
Abiru said he had ascertained the bad state of Ikorodu -Epe Expressway ,promising to work with others to ensure the fixing of the road if elected .
He said Lekki-Epe -Eti-Osa Expressroad was strategic to movement of people and consignments,promising to work for the reconstruction of the road if elected .
He thanked party members for choosing him as the APC flagbearer for the election ,saying he would not take their support for granted .
Abiru ,who also thanked the National Leader of the party ,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party for the confidence reposed in him,said he would guided by the values of the party at the Senate.
He appealed to party members and residents of Lagos East senatorial district to vote en masse for the him and APC on Oct.31.
Abiru said he would bring the same zeal he used to strengthen Polaris Bank as CEO to the senate,adding he would not disappoint the people if elected .
Thd APC Vice Chairman(Lagos East) Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya , described Abiru as a very competent candidate .
He urged the people of the district to come out en masse to the APC and the candidate in the election .
Olusanya urged the people of Ibeju-Lekki to at least deliver 50,000 votes for Abiru to ensure emphatic victory in the area.
Also speaking ,a party leader in Ibeju-Lekki,Alhaji Tunde Ishak ,urged the people of the area to come out on the election day en masse to vote Abiru.
“We should all go out in our large number to vote our able candidate,Mr Tokunbo Abiru. We should prove with our voters cards that Ibeju Lekki is fully for APC and Abiru on that day”,he said.
Other party members including Rep. Bayo Balogun (Ibeju-Lekki); a former Lagos lawmaker ,Mr Segun Olulade and Mr Abiodun Salami,state APC Assistant Publicity Secretary,spoke in turns to canvass support for Abiru.
Prominent party leaders and community leaders at the meeting include Mr Tola Kasali,a former Commissioner for Special Duties and Alhaji Musiliu Folami ,a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
