Buhari working to reposition economy, says Edo legislator

A member of the Edo State House of Assembly from Akoko-Edo South Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s effort to reposition and stabilise the economy. He said: “I am confident that these efforts would change the situation for the better”.

President Buhari

Agbaje, who called on Nigerians to be hopeful of a better country, said: “I consider it an obligation as well to let you know the challenges confronting us and our determined efforts. This is important so as to bridge the gap between expectations and realisations”.

He spoke at the weekend, in Igarra, Headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, during a Town Hall Meeting and interactive session with his constituents.

Agbaje said: “We are all witnesses to the economic woes now bedeviling our dear country. The situation knows no exception. Governance at all levels have been seriously affected and in some cases almost brought to its knees, hence it has become increasingly difficult for governments to make good, its promises and obligations to our people.

“Irrespective of this untoward situation, we must look forward with hope and this is more so, as the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Federal Government is working assiduously to reposition and stabilise the economy. I am confident that these efforts would change the situation for the better.

“Permit me to say that the 2015 constituency projects is being handled by my predecessor, Hon. Dele Oloruntoba. I want to express hope and confidence that the projects are on-going and that they will be well executed.

The legislator added: “The 2016 budget has been presented already; it is going through the process of possible review. I want to assure you that I and my colleague from the North constituency have been putting heads together to making sure we have our fair inputs which we will pursue vigorously. Subsequently, however, I hope that we will take advantage of this kind of town hall meetings to articulate our needs in order of priority and set them as our common agenda and targets. This will guide us to project our collective interest.

“Within the period under review as a new legislator, I have moved two Motions on the floor of the House and have also contributed positively to other Motions and Bills which I am convinced are in the interest of my people. I became the first to move a Motion that got to a resolution of the House in this Sixth Assembly of Edo State.

“With the support of my colleagues, I moved a motion of urgent public importance on the BEDC impunity which resulted in the power outage experienced in Igarra community and environs. We got justice.

Buhari working to reposition economy, says Edo legislator

Appeal Court upholds Ambode’s victory, fines Agbaje

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday affirmed the verdict of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which upheld the declaration of Akinwunmi Ambode as the winner of the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

The appellate court aligned with the July 1, 2015 decision of the Justice Muhammad Sijaro-led tribunal which declared as incompetent and therefore struck out the petition by the second runner-up in the said election, Jimi Agbaje, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The five-man appeal panel, after dismissing Agbaje’s appeal on the grounds of incompetence, ordered him to compensate each of the respondents in the sum of N50,000 each.

Ambode had been returned winner of the April 11, 2015 poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission having polled 811,994 votes ahead of Agbaje who polled 659,788 votes.

Appeal Court upholds Ambode’s victory, fines Agbaje

Breaking: Jimi Agbaje calls Ambode to concede defeat

It has been learned from source within the All Progressives Congress, (APC) that the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Lagos State, Olujimi Agbaji, has conceded defeat this evening

According to the source, the APC opposition candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode received a phone call from his opponent, Mr. Agbaje at 6:50pm on Sunday evening.

Mr. Agbaje was said to have promised to work with Ambode administration to bring prosperity in the next four years to Lagos State.

 

Breaking: Jimi Agbaje calls Ambode to concede defeat

Lagos voter low turnout due to intimidation, says Agbaje

The Peoples’ Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has said that the low voter turnout in various parts of the state is due to intimidation.

Mr. Agbaje spoke after casting his vote near his home at Calcutta Crescent in Apapa.

“There’s a fear because there are reports of intimidation of voters across the state. People are being scared from coming out to vote, so that may affect,” Mr. Agbaje said.

“There is voter apathy, but I think it’s more of disenfranchisement rather than the apathy. People want to come out to vote but they feel a bit intimidated, saying they will be beaten or harmed. But I still believe that all things being equal, we will get the votes that we need to win this election.”

Mr. Agbaje said that he ​wa​s optimistic of victory “even before casting his vote”​.​

“I believe that all things being equal victory will be ours,” he said.

“Going out there the people are on our side. We believe that the challenge is how to ensure that the votes count, in order words, how to secure those votes at the polling units. The polls are very clearly in our favour.

“But then we fear, because it’s a process, that in the course of this electoral process the issue of how the polling unit is handled, collation is done, that’s very important and vital for us.”

Lagos voter low turnout due to intimidation, says Agbaje

Why I Parted Ways With Tinubu – Agbaje

The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has disclosed his reasons for parting ways with national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, who was once his political ally.

Bola Tinubu arriving yesterday

In an interview with Vanguard, Agbaje noted that it was normal in politics for individual perceptions and interests to diverge.

“Bola Tinubu is not my enemy, but we are also not as close as we used to be. But I think that is the nature of politics. I think some politicians often get to a point where they want only subservient people around them. I don’t believe in that type of politics,” Agbaje said.

“I view politics as a sacrifice and service and I view it as the most honourable of vocations. I believe politics should actually be about truth, integrity and service.”

The PDP governorship candidate also dismissed rumours of rancour in the State chapter of the party. According to him, even Musiliu Obanikoro, who lost the PDP primaries to him, is in full support of his governorship campaign.

He also said although his ambition has been supported by elders in the PDP, he has no political godfather.

“I said categorically in an interaction with the media and I repeat today — I have no, absolutely no godfather or godfathers. When I ran on DPA platform, who was my godfather? The reason they rejected our candidacy in the other party is because they knew we were not the kind of person that would accept to be a puppet or stooge for their designs. Acting under the commands and manipulation of a godfather is contrary to my personal inclinations and they know that. I proved that in 2007 . I have no godfather,” Agbaje said.

However, he promised to “work with the members and leaders of the party and indeed the generality of the citizens of Lagos to govern Lagos responsibly and in the interest of our people, and not for the benefit of any godfather.”

“Lagosians actually know on what side of the divide they should be worried about godfathers and god sons or puppeteers and puppets!” Agbaje said.

Why I Parted Ways With Tinubu – Agbaje