Fashola blames PDP for poor conditions of Lagos Port

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), yesterday blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) federal government for the poor state of seaports in Apapa, urging Lagosians to reject the party at the polls.

He said activities at the port, especially the lifting of petrol and diesel by tankers have spoilt the roads, lamenting neglect of the rail system. 

The governor addressed a rally in Apapa organised by the leaders and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), led by Otunba Oladele Ajomale.

At the rally, the party leader presented flags to the candidates for the parliamentary elections.

 The candidates are the senatorial flag bearer, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu; House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Babatunde Jimoh; and House of Assembly torch bearers; Hon. Mufutau Egberongbe and Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh.

Party supporters from Ijora, Apapa, Iganmu, Orile-Iganmu, Ijora Oloye, Ijora Olopa, Badia and Sari Iganmu, joined the members of the ethnic nationalities, including Arewa, Ndingbo, Ijaw, Isoko, Ibiobio and Uhrobo for the rally. 

At the request of Fashola, a minute of silence was observed in honour of one of the deceased chieftains of the party, Chief Bode Abdullahi, who passed on last year.

Prior to the arrival of the governor, the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Funso Ologunde, conducted a mini-voters’ enlightenment programme for the crowd of supporters.

He said: “On Saturday, be prepared to vote. Rise up early and go to the poling booths at 7 am. Do accreditation and take your number. Accreditation closes at noon and voting will start immediately. Get your ballot paper and thumbprint that space where you see the broom.

The votes would be counted and our party agents and INEC officials would witness the counting and recording. It is one man one vote. Let us be vigilant”. 

Other party leaders at the rally included Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, Senator Adekunle Muse, Alhaji Moshood Tijani, Chief Adeseye Amingo, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Hon. Toun Adediran, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, Dr Leke Pitan, Hon. Tunji Bello, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, Mrs Toun Ajomale, Mrs Mayowa Ikuforiji, Mrs Ronke Solomon, and Party’s Administrative Secretary, Mr Sola Abayomi.

At the rally, some ACN leaders were inundated with complaints by members from Olorunda local council area, Badagry Division that PDP leaders were planning to arrest key ACN leaders before the polls to throw the party into confusion.

The chairman of Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Amida Abudu said: “We have uncovered plans by the PDP leaders in Badagry Division to arrest many of our members and supporters in a bid to create panic and confusion. ACN is waxing stronger in Badagry and this is where the PDP state chairman, Setonji Koshoedo, comes from. But we have warned them not to set the state on fire. Our party will resist rigging”.

Fashola hailed the supporters for their resilience and devotion to the cause of the party, urging them to live up to expectations next Saturday.

He paid tribute to monarchs, community leaders, market leaders, drivers unions, leaders of ethnic nationalities, youth clubs and students, and the Lebanese Community in Apapa for the peaceful atmosphere in the area.

The governor lamented that these people were neglected by the PDP government, which refused to distribute the dividends of democracy to the area.

He said their devotion and commitment to ACN, which he described as the fastest growing party in Africa, would not be in vain, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him, if re-elected.

“You have seen what our government has done in Lagos State. We have just started. More feats are coming,” he added, waving his broom with the left hand and displaying the victory sign.  

Fashola, who hails from Lagos Central District, told the story of Apapa, regretting that the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of old has been bastardised. 

He said: “Apapa was designed as a GRA. But government after government, especially the PDP, neglected Apapa and damaged its road. PDP government failed to build the railway. In the absence of efficient rail system, the tankers carrying petrol and diesel spoilt Apapa roads.

“Apapa is a community of freight forwarders. If PDP has managed our economy well, the situation would have been different. Our economy has been mismanaged by PDP government, which has turned our country into a country of importers, instead of exporters.”

Fashola assured that Nigerians would witness change if ACN is voted into power.

He said: “Our party is not just talking like PDP, its a party that acts and that is why it is called the Action Congress of Nigeria’.

“We should send PDP out with our votes. To keep ACN in government in Lagos State is a task that must be done. If you want be to return to government, first of all vote for our senatorial and House of Representatives candidates on Saturday. Then on April 16, you will vote for me. I promise four years of greater transformation in Lagos State,” he added.