Bloody clashes in Lagos, Ambode declares curfew

Bloody clashes in the Mile 12, Ketu area of Lagos State on Thursday left no fewer than 10 persons dead and about 100 others injured.

Among the dead were two schoolchildren, traders, artisans and residents.

Akinwunmi Ambode

A two-year-old boy, Andrew Daniel, was abducted by some hoodlums and taken away after his father, Igba, was attacked with machetes and left for the dead.

The PUNCH, which witnessed part of the clashes as it unfolded, counted no fewer than 40 vehicles that were either burnt or vandalised in the Agiliti area of Ketu.

Two churches and over 20 houses were equally set ablaze and hundreds of residents rendered homeless in Maidan community as a result of the violence which was said to have broken out after a disagreement between some Yoruba and Hausa in the area.

Motorcycles, sewing machines and other working tools were also destroyed while some shops were looted and razed.

Corpses of slain residents, who were either burnt or beheaded, littered the roads as of 5pm when one of our correspondents left the battle areas.

Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, the hoodlums, mostly Hausa, who wielded bows, arrows, cutlasses, charms and stones, refused to vacate the roads.

They also attacked the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who tried to calm them down before leaving the community around 1pm.

After the situation had been brought under control by the police, officials of the Rapid Response Squad and military officers, no fewer than 70 suspects were arrested.

It was gathered that the fight started on Tuesday at the Agiliti area after some residents attacked a motorcycle rider for riding against traffic and almost knocking down a pregnant woman.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The motorcycle rider, a Hausa, almost hit a pregnant woman and people challenged him for riding against traffic.

“Because he didn’t understand English, he misunderstood them and attacked them, which started a fight. A man, who took up the fight with the Hausa man, stabbed him. The Hausa man also stabbed the man.”

The resident said on Wednesday the Hausa apprehended a Yoruba motorcyclist, who committed a similar offence, and attacked him.

“The Hausa people dragged him on the tarred road and I saw how his skin peeled while he raised the alarm. People told me to keep quiet that it was ordinary motorcycle they were dragging.

“But when they took a closer look and discovered it was a human being, they tried to rescue him but he was dead,” he said.

The clash was said to have aggravated by Wednesday night as the Yoruba allegedly attacked the Hausa residents, where one person allegedly died.

By Thursday morning, the Hausa reportedly mobilised to avenge the death of their men, but were pushed back by the Yoruba.

Residents told one of our correspondents that the fight escalated around 11am on Thursday when the police and some soldiers arrived at the scene and shot at the Yoruba camp, which forced the members to retreat.

A resident, Jamiu Adio, said the police shot directly at the men and injured some of them.

He said, “The Yoruba had to run back and that created an opportunity for the Hausa to enter into the community to wreak havoc.

“The Hausa, backed by the soldiers and the police, set schools on fire and started burning vehicles in Agiliti. When they were done, they broke into Maidan community and burnt 15 houses, including a church.

“They chased a carpenter, Riliwan, and after catching up with him, they cut him with machetes. They poured fuel on him and set him on fire. He was burnt to death.”

Our correspondent saw the burnt corpse of the victim, covered with a cardboard paper.

The only link bridge into the community was also destroyed by the rampaging Hausa.

A church, PODAM, was equally torched and some of their equipment vandalised.

A shop owner, Mrs. Bilikis Yusuf, said she lost two of her sewing machines and some money.

“The Hausa have ruined my life. They looted my industrial machine, black machine and stole thousands of naira from my wardrobe. Where will I start from?” she asked.

Another resident, Modinat Adeyemi, said she moved into the community four months ago, adding that she had lost all her property.

“All I have right now is this blouse I am wearing,” she added.

One of the residents, Mr. Sunday Nejo, who held his two schoolchildren with his wife beside him, said he was going to find a place for his family.

While his wife wept, he said, “I have nothing again. It is only what we are wearing right now that we have. Every other thing has been burnt to ashes. We are homeless and helpless.”

In a mechanic garage in the Agiliti area, one of our correspondents counted 27 burnt vehicles, while a Cherubim and Seraphim Church, which had just been completed, was equally razed.

Five cars – a Nissan Pathfinder, Sienna, Honda Civic 320 Benz and Toyota Forerunner – were still smouldering when one of our correspondents visited the area.

The owner of the Benz, Jimoh Jubril, said he bought it four months ago.

He said, “We were inside the house where we watched everything happen. The police and the soldiers conspired and shot at our boys and that allowed the Hausa to come in. This was nothing but a compromise of our security systems.

“They burnt all our five cars, one of which belonged to a man that just came to visit me. Another is for the pastor of the burnt church, while the Benz is mine. I bought it four months ago.’’

A resident, Bola Ariyo, said two schoolchildren were beheaded by the invaders.

“About four people were killed on this road alone. Two of them were schoolchildren, who were just returning from school. The Hausa cut off their heads. There were also two Hausa, who were burnt to death by some Yoruba.”

A resident, who claimed to know, alleged that the Hausa invaded a secondary school and allegedly killed four students.

A resident said a popular Igbo trader, who sold gas in the community, was also hacked to death by the Hausa.

The father of two-year-old Daniel said his son was seized after the Hausa thought he (father) was dead.

“They hit my head with cutlass and I fell down. They cut me also in the hand and I pretended to be dead. They checked to see I was truly dead and when they were satisfied, they left.

“They took my child and were saying, ‘let us go and kill the child too’. I have not seen my child since then,” he said.

A soldier, who confirmed the account, said he saw the Hausa taking away the child and he could not tell what they did to the boy.

The victim’s mother was seen by one of our correspondents weeping as people consoled.

One of our correspondents observed as some soldiers wrestled with one of the Hausa suspects, who was arrested with a cutlass and a charm.

A soldier said the suspect was caught red-handed while setting fire to a vehicle.

He said, “He was one of the masterminds of the arson. We caught him red-handed and he dared us to come after him, saying we cannot do anything. We arrested him, but he’s been proving hard and difficult.”

The suspect, along with over 70 others, was later asked to lie down in the open space as the police tried to send signal for a bus to convey all the suspects.

Around 3pm, a red LAGBUS arrived at the community to convey them to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters.

As a result of the heavy fighting, hundreds of commuters between Ikorodu and Ketu resorted to trekking.

Fully-loaded BRT buses, heading towards Mile 12 from Ikorodu, were forced to stop around the Majidun area for several hours while other vehicles were seen making emergency turning along the highway.

Also, commercial motorcyclists of Hausa origin deserted Ketu and Mille 12 by Thursday afternoon, leaving many people to trek distances that they usually covered on bike.

Bands of young men were seen wielding dangerous weapons like axes, cutlasses, clubs and even rakes between Irawo Bus-stop and Owode-elede, on the deserted expressway threatening to kill and burn down any Hausa seen in the area.

When one of our correspondents visited Maidan, a small neighbourhood close to Mile 12, to assess the situation, angry youths, who also wielded dangerous weapons, threw foodstuffs like onions, tomatoes and pepper, said to belong toHausa traders on the road.

At another section, people were also seen untying rams abandoned by the owners and making away with them.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, had yet to respond to a text message sent to her as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered the closure of the Mile 12 Market and imposed a curfew on four streets in the area.

Ambode, who spoke at the State House, Ikeja, said the closure of the Mile 12 Market and the curfew would help security agents to restore peace.

He added that the curfew would only affect four streets — Oniyanrin, Maidan, Agiliti 1 and Agiliti 2.

He said, “In order to further restore peace to the community, I have ordered that the Mile 12 Market be temporarily shut. I advise traders and other stakeholders to eschew violence and be law-abiding.

“Furthermore, I have ordered temporary restriction of movement in four streets, namely Oniyanrin, Maidan, Agiliti 1 and 2.”

The governor said the police and other security officials were managing the situation, adding that some hoodlums had exploited a minor clash to cause a breakdown of law and order in the area.

Owoseni, however said policemen had been deployed in the area to enforce the order of the governor, adding that nobody died in the clash.

“I was there personally; there was no record of death. There was no fire in the market, and as I speak to you, over 50 persons have been arrested.

“But within Agiliti community, houses were burnt by miscreants,” he added.

Asked to react to the allegation that the police were among those who opened up the community for attack, he said, “Well that is their perception and they are entitled to it.”

A man, said to be the leader of the Hausa community, who was working with the security officials, when asked for his reaction, said, “Please I am not ready to say anything. You can see the tension everywhere.”

Bloody clashes in Lagos, Ambode declares curfew

Ambode presents N662.58bn budget proposal for 2016

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday presented a 2016 budget proposal of N662.58 billion to the Lagos State House of Assembly for approval.

Ambode, who tagged the budget “The People’s Budget”, said that it would promote massive investment in security, transport/traffic management, physical and social infrastructural development as well as enhance job creation.

Akinwunmi Ambode

The budget is made up of capital expenditure of N383.678 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N278.909 billion in the ratio of 58:42 respectively as against 51:49 in 2014 and 2015.

“This represents an improvement of 26 per cent over the budgets of 2014 and 2015 respectively, which stood at N489.69 billion,” Ambode said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the N489.69 billion year 2015 budget was later reordered and signed into law on Sept. 23, 2015.

The reordered budget comprised N19.7 billion capital expenditure and N5.7billion recurrent expenditure within the initial budget size.

Ambode said that the total revenue estimate for 2016 fiscal year was N542.87billion.

He said that this showed that the balance of N119.71billion would be funded through deficit financing that would be 0.41 per cent of the state GDP based on 2016 budget alone and a cumulative debt to GDP ratio of about 3 per cent.

The budget breakdown revealed that Economic Affairs had the highest allocation of N211,04 billion followed by General Public Services, N120,50 billion.

Education and Health had N113.37 billion and N64.67 billion respectively.

Housing and Community Housing and Community Amenities got N62.71 billion while Environment got N53.04 billion and Public Order and Safety N28.55 billion.

Others are Recreation, Culture and Religion, N4.63 billion and Social Protection N4.02 billion.

Ambode said that the 2016 budget would be used to strategically build new infrastructure, while existing ones would be maintained.

“Wealth and employment creation will receive a lot of attention as we commence the implementation of the Employment Trust Scheme which will set aside N25 billion over a four-year period for job creation,” he said.

Ambode pointed out that the Federal Government still owed the state N50 billion expended on federal roads in the state.

“Fiscal federalism and according Lagos a special status will benefit the state as we implore the Federal Government to look into this as soon as possible.

“We look forward to an early refund to enable us utilise the fund on other infrastructure that require attention,” he said.

“To say that the dwindling oil revenues is affecting the revenues of the state and the nation is to state the obvious.

“Our Internally Generated Revenue has been our saving grace in Lagos State, but that does not imply that we are immune to the crisis rocking other states,” Ambode said.

He, therefore, implored residents to make it a point of duty to pay their taxes appropriately as and when due.

“On our part, we promise that this budget shall be implemented faithfully and in the best interest of Lagosians,” he said.

Receiving the budget, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said the presentation was necessary to obtain legislative consent for the amount of money to be spent in the coming financial year.

“We have all listened with rapt attention to how the wealth of our state will be utilised for our common good in year 2016.

“The responsibility is now on the members of this honourable house to do the needful; and I assure you that we will meticulously perform our constitutional duty.

The speaker, who commended the governor on road infrastructure and procurement of mass transit buses, urged him to do more to ensure traffic flow.

NAN reports that the speaker handed over the demands of the residents collated from the town hall meetings held by the lawmakers across the 40 constituencies to the governor.

Ambode presents N662.58bn budget proposal for 2016

PDP berates Ambode over traffic in Lagos

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has berated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the traffic congestion that subjected motorists to several hours of anguish on Monday.

Akinwunmi Ambode

There was traffic snarl on the Third Mainland Bridge, Ikorodu Road, Ojuelegba, Apapa and other connecting routes on Monday following the indiscriminate parking by articulated truck drivers on bridges and other strategic routes.

Reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Lagos State, Taofik Gani, told our correspondent that the indiscriminate parking was a direct consequence of the restriction on the movement of articulated trucks between 6am and 9pm by the Ambode-led government.

Gani said Ambode was fond of taking decisions without anticipating the consequences. He, therefore, urged the governor to learn more about the peculiarities of Lagos State.

He said, “What we are saying now is that all the problems in the state such as the worsening traffic situation in the state is a reflection of Governor Ambode’s inability to manage the state. It is a reflection of his unpreparedness to lead.

“Without trying to sound disrespectful, Lagos is crumbling under Governor Ambode. There is serious traffic congestion, Lagos State University is in its worst crisis ever and yet he says the state is moving forward. Lagos has been stagnant since he took over. He needs to apologise to the people of Lagos.”

Gani said Ambode should have declared a state of emergency on the traffic situation in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre within his first 100 days in office.

He, however, said Ambode was unable to do this having failed to appoint a special adviser or commissioner after over 110 days in office.

The PDP spokesperson wondered why the traffic situation continued to worsen under the All Progressives Congress-led government despite claims by the immediate past administration of Babatunde Fashola that hundreds of ferry operators had been licensed by the government as well as the billions spent on the light rail project.

He said the state government should embark on a realistic overhaul of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority rather than issue directives that would be of no effect to the agency.

PDP berates Ambode over traffic in Lagos

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

Ambode wants illegal aliens repatriated

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has asked the Federal Government to repatriate 199 illegal Togolese immigrants presently camped at the Lagos Emergency Resettlement Centres in Igando and Agbowa areas of the state.

Akinwunmi Ambode

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, in a statement on Monday, said the state could no longer continue to accommodate the illegal immigrants due to limited facilities at the resettlement centres.

He said when the immigrants were seen at Ikoyi area of Lagos, Ambode directed that the relevant state agency should accommodate them pending the response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Bello said that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Immigration Service were notified but that they have not done anything to repatriate the illegal aliens.

The statement partly read, “Surprisingly, the state government realised that these ministries have not taken any step to address the situation because the numbers of illegal immigrants from Togo have continued to increase daily. As of today, the number of Togolese illegal immigrants has increased from 114 to 199, putting serious pressure on the limited spaces at the two camps.

“Investigations by the state showed that the Togolese immigrants were expelled from Benin Republic where they had lived for over 10 years. They came to Lagos and because of the accommodation provided by the state government at its ERCs, these illegal immigrants at the Igando camp started calling their friends and family on the telephone in Benin Republic to come to Nigeria, telling them that they now have a new home. By last weekend, another 85 illegal immigrants of Togolese descent were taken to the ERC, Agbowa.”

Bello said that that the state’s magnanimity to illegal immigrants in distress should not be abused as the resettlement centres were built to accommodate Lagosians and Nigerian citizens during emergencies and period of disaster.

“These two emergency facilities as of today are seriously been overused and can no longer accommodate anybody. What becomes of legal residents of the state in case of an emergency occurs? The Nigeria Immigration Service is, therefore, advised to ensure that the nation’s borders are well manned by not giving room to any form of compromise at all times.”

Ambode wants illegal aliens repatriated

Ambode revokes 50-year Lagos concession awarded by Fashola for N50 million

By Nicholas Ibekwe

The Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday revoked the concession contract for the re-development of the highbrow Falomo Shopping Centre.

Akinwunmi Ambode

Mr. Ambode revealed in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary that the Lagos State Development and Property Commission (LSDPC), under his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, granted Afriland Properties, a 50 year concession contract for the re-development of the shopping mall for a relatively paltry N50 million.

The concession agreement appears yet another case of outrageous contract approved by the former  administration, a week after it became clear that Mr. Fashola spent N78 million state funds to upgrade his personal website.

Mr. Ambode said his government was forced to revoke the contract because it was “grossly detrimental to the interests of the people of the state”.

“State Government as custodian of the interests of Lagosians is committed to the restructuring of the LSDPC to ensure it begins to provide positive capital returns to the State Government for the ultimate benefit of the people,” the statement read.

Mr. Ambode further revealed that he sacked the former Managing Director of the LSDPC, Biodun Oki, to stop the “negative capital return of the corporation”.

The cancellation follows the  revelation of other controversial contracts approved by Mr. Fashola, who had been regarded as one of the best managers of public resources, among Nigeria’s often high spending governors.

According to documents published on the website Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), Mr. Fashola approved an upgrade of his personal website with N78.3m taken from the state’s treasury.

The document also shows that he approved N15m for toilet facilities in the state’s  Ministry of Justice.

Other expenditure that have caused public outcry are: N61m for the official vehicles of the state’s Chief Judge, N330m for the development of the residence of Fashola’s deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, and N94m spent on “printers consumables.”

Mr.Fashola denied spending N78m for the website upgrade. He said only N12m was approved for the upgrade and the balance was used for other services such as the creation of mobile apps.

Ambode revokes 50-year Lagos concession awarded by Fashola for N50 million

A messsage from Pastor Adeboye to Osinbajo, Ambode

LAGOS—The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has charged Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to use their new offices to change the bad story about Nigeria.

Buhari and Fashola

He spoke just as Osinbajo and Ambode assured Nigerians that God would make peace to reign in the country with the advent of the new administration.

The trio spoke at the Seventh Edition of the Excel Programme of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, organised by Apapa Family of the church at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, with the theme; “Riding on the Wings of Change.”

In his sermon, Pastor Adeboye urged political office holders to use their position to change the story of Nigeria, just as he assured that Nigeria will continue to march forward with the present crop of leaders.

According to him, “Change has two wings, power and glory and the two will dwell in you if you are connected to Christ. Colossians 1:27 says Jesus is the King of Glory.”

Osinbajo noted that the dearth of faithful, diligent men and women was another challenge confronting the country inspite of the country’s huge population.

The vice president, who backed up his address with various Bible passages on how diligence and faithfulness can lift a man, said the nation needs faithful men and women who can be trusted to do the right things and can also be honest and diligent.

“There are many people who are bright and intelligent but what we lack are faithful men and women. Men and women who can be trusted to do the right things, who can be honest, diligent and who can do what needs to be done”.

Osinbajo said that when citizens of the country change their attitude and become faithful, the country would achieve great things.

Earlier, Ambode who also touched on the need to be diligent, reaffirmed his determination and commitment to serve the people diligently irrespective of his or her status, sex, religion or tribe in the course of governing the state.

Osinbajo and Ambode were earlier presented with awards of “Apostle of Change.” While the vice president was awarded in recognition of his outstanding transformational leadership to the nation, Ambode was awarded in recognition of his dedication to public service and continuous service to Lagos State.

Dignitaries present at the event included the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, and clergymen from different religious denominations.

 

A messsage from Pastor Adeboye to Osinbajo, Ambode

Ambode approves group life insurance compensation for police officers

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Friday approved an upward review of group life insurance compensation for officers and men of the state Police Command.

Ambode made the disclosure during a visit to the Command’s Headquarters at Ikeja, Lagos.

NAN reports that the scheme was initiated by ex-governor Babatunde Fashola.

Fashola had subscribed to an additional group life insurance scheme to complement the Federal Government’s policy on Contributory Pensions Act.

Ambode said that with the review, senior officers would have N5 million as against N2 million, while officers in the inspector cadre would have N3 million as against N1.5million.

He said that other ranks would have insurance benefit increased from N1 million to N2million.

According to him, the gesture is informed by the critical roles the police have played in the enhancement of the state economy by securing lives and property.

“Given that the scheme which covers death and permanent disability is almost 16 years, one cannot but agree that the compensation value has become grossly inadequate.

“Therefore, in fulfillment of our resolve to sustain, improve and consolidate on past achievements, I am pleased to announce the upward review of the compensation value. This will take immediate effect,” Ambode said.

He sought the partnership of the Police in ensuring safety and security of lives and property while assuring them that the State Government would put their concerns and constraints in the front burner.

“I consider it compelling to again seek your robust partnership and collaboration as we advance the cause for a safe and secure Lagos State.

“As 21st century Police officers, you are expected to scale up your skills and professional conduct in a manner that citizens will see you as true friends who will not compromise integrity and forthrightness,” he said.

The governor also sought their support and cooperation in facilitating the strict enforcement of the Lagos State Law on protection against violence and the state criminal laws that had to do with domestic violence against women and rape.

“By doing that, we will be sending a strong signal of zero tolerance to such barbaric acts and also conveying a message to our women of our commitment to their protection,” he said.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, said the governor’s visit within the first week of assumption of duty was a clear demonstration of the new administration’s commitment to security.

Aderanti said the nexus between security and business could not be overemphasised and assured that the security of the state would not be compromised in any way.

Ambode approves group life insurance compensation for police officers

Ambode extends hand of partnership to Agbaje, others

The Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, and others who contested against him to join hands with his administration to build the state.

Ambode spoke on Sunday while delivering his acceptance speech at the APC secretariat in Lagos shortly after he was declared winner of the governorship election.

Ambode was announced winner of the Saturday election after securing 811,994 votes against his PDP’s closest rival, Agbaje who scored 659,788 votes.

“To my main opponent, Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, I thank you for a keen contest and invite you, alongside other governorship candidates, to join hands with me in moving Lagos forward,” he said.

Ambode also promised Lagos residents  that his administration would build on the legacy and achievements of his predecessors, Gov. Babatunde Fashola and Chief Bola Tinubu.

“I am humbled that you have placed your trust and faith in me.

“The love of this state and our common belief in what we can accomplish, our belief in what this state already is, and in what it is destined to become binds us together in a social and moral contract of high purpose.

“I shall honour that contract with every fiber of my being.

“This day I pledge to you that I shall devote myself to bringing even greater prosperity, growth and development to every inch of this state.

“I also pledge that I shall build on legacy and progress of my predecessors,” Ambode said.

The governor-elect promised to bring the best of ‎Lagos into his government saying that the people would be proud and glad for choosing him as their governor.

“The people of Lagos have demonstrated that Lagos is not about ethnicity or religion but about a common desire to enthrone good ‎governance.

“Lagos under my watch will not discriminate. It has not in the past, and will not in the present; not even in the future, there will be no political victimisation.

“By affirming your faith in the APC and in me, you have, for the first time in 16 years, married progressive governance at the national level with progressive government at the state level,” he said.

Ambode noted that finally, Lagos  state government and the Federal government would be of one vision, one mind and one accord.

“The ramifications of this harmonious unity are completely positive.

“This is a chance that we have worked toward for many years.

“The joint infrastructural and employment projects and collaboration between the state and the federal will quicken the improvement of our roads, schools, power generation and the entire array of social services.

“This new era of cooperation between the state and federal government promises to be a golden period for Lagos and for all Lagosians to share equally therein,” he said.

Ambode said Lagos would enjoy optimal development and growth through APC governance working in tandem at the state and federal levels.

“This cooperation and enhanced policy harmony will surely pay handsome dividends,” he said.

Ambode congratulated INEC for a job well done and keeping alive Nigeria’s hope for a brighter democracy.

Ambode extends hand of partnership to Agbaje, others

One killed as youths protest result in Lagos

AT least one person has been confirmed dead, while several others were injured in the Ogudu Ojota area of Lagos State after some hoodlums went on the rampage.

PUNCH Metro learnt that there was heavy gun fire in the area as the hoodlums vandalised some vehicles parked by the roadside.

The incident happened on Sunday evening on Alhaji Abbas Street.

A resident, Bukola Osunde, said trouble started immediately the result of the governorship election for the state was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Akinwunmi Ambode, was declared the winner of the election.

Osunde said, “It has been serious chaos since the election result was announced. They have been shooting sporadically and vandalising property.

“I cannot say precisely the number of people killed, but there is confusion everywhere and the shootout is between members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, adding that one person was killed.

He said, “Some hoodlums on Alhaji Abbas Street, Ogudu, this evening, engaged in a free-for-all and damaged vehicles and other property of residents.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, has ordered their arrest.

“We will soon bring them to justice.”

Nwosu said normalcy had been restored in the area.

One killed as youths protest result in Lagos

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

Court clears Ambode for Lagos governorship race

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday dismissed a suit seeking to stop the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, from contesting the April 11 poll.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa declared that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to institute the action. The judge also held that the plaintiffs failed to establish any reasonable cause of action to sustain their prayers.

“None of the plaintiffs in the instant suit is an aspirant to be conferred with locus standi,” Yunusa held as he dismissed the suit.

The plaintiffs, Olorunfemi Oluwatosin and Dada Joseph, who are members of the APC, had approached the court seeking an order to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from allowing APC to field any candidate for the coming Saturday’s governorship election in Lagos.

In the originating summons filed through their lawyer, Samuel Adeniyi, the plaintiffs were challenging their alleged disenfranchisement in the party primary that produced Ambode in December last year.

They claimed that the primary was fraught with and predicated on irregularities.

They alleged that the party’s ward congresses, which were supposed to be conducted only in the 20 recognised local government areas of Lagos State, were also extended to the 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.

They also alleged that secret ballot rather than open ballot system was used during the congresses, arguing that same had rendered the process illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

The defendants in the suit were APC, the INEC and Ambode.

Also joined as defendants were the other aspirants who vied for the party’s governorship ticket with Ambode: Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Dr. Leke Pitan, Tayo Ayinde, Olasupo Shasore, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Mrs. Tokunbo Agbesanwa, Dr. Tola Kasali, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Lanre Ope, Tokunbo Wahab, Adekunle Disu and Abayomi Sutton.

But APC in its preliminary objection, contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, being an intra-party affair. Besides, the party claimed that since the plaintiffs were neither delegates nor aspirants, they had no legal basis to complain.

It added, “The conduct of the ward congresses for Lagos State governorship primary nomination was done in the constitutionally recognised 20 Local Government Areas in Lagos State and not in the 37 Local Council Development Areas as alleged by the plaintiffs.

“The plaintiffs have not disclosed any injury that the conduct of the ward congresses in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas have caused them either individually or collectively.”

APC described the plaintiffs’ case as academic, malafide, an abuse of court processes and one that was targeted at embarrassing the party.

It therefore asked the court to immediately dismiss it and award cost of damages against the plaintiffs for instituting the action.

Yunusa, while dismissing the suit, upheld APC’s submission that the subject matter of the case was an intra-party affair and that the plaintiffs failed to show that they had sufficient interest to warrant the reliefs sought. He, however, did not award any cost against the plaintiffs.

Court clears Ambode for Lagos governorship race

I didn’t sack Ambode, says Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said he did not sack the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, while the latter was the Accountant-General of the state.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola

The Peoples Democratic Party had said Ambode was sacked by Fashola for financial impropriety but Fashola denied the allegation, saying it was part of the desperate attempts by the PDP to win Saturday’s governorship election.

Fashola said this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, on Saturday.

The statement read, “Governor Fashola has repudiated the insinuation that the APC governorship candidate was dismissed from the state’s civil service, describing it as one of the many lies of the PDP aimed at deceiving voters into voting for them.

“He explained that Mr. Ambode retired voluntarily from the public service after 27 years of meritorious service to the state, adding that he (governor) wrote him a letter of commendation.”

Fashola urged the people of Lagos not to vote for the PDP on Saturday as the PDP-led Federal Government had done nothing to merit their votes.

He said the Federal Government still owed Lagos about N51bn.

The statement added, “The governor noted that the PDP had done nothing in the last 16 years but lie to Nigerians about practically everything, including the state of the economy and the security situation as well as other sensitive issues that affect the lives of the people.

“Urging the people not to be deceived by such lies, Governor Fashola pointed out that in the last 16 years, the PDP-controlled Federal Government had ignored the state in federal appointments and not only failed to maintain its numerous infrastructure in the state but refused to pay back to the state the money it (Lagos) has spent in maintaining federal assets in the state including roads and bridges, amounting to N51bn.”

The governor said the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, was misleading civil servants on the issue of leave allowance and minimum wage.

The statement recalled that the issue of minimum wage was settled on February 7, 2011, when the state government signed an agreement with the 14 approved labour unions in the state civil service to pay N18, 780 to the lowest paid of its workers.

The agreement, brokered by the then Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Jide Sanwoolu, according to the statement , increased the minimum wage of the lowest paid worker in the employment of the government by 69.6 percent which is a 7.6 percent increase over the Federal Government approved National Minimum Wage.

Fashola said his administration was not only the first to implement the minimum wage structure but also added to the N18,000 minimum wage across board, a gesture for which the public servants commended the administration.

I didn’t sack Ambode, says Fashola

Jonathan’s visit to Lagos a waste – Fashola, Ambode

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan for his repeated visits to Lagos ahead of the March 28 presidential election.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola

They said the President was only being deceived by the state leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party as Lagosianswould not vote for him.

While speaking at a rally in the Ifako/Ijaye Local Government Area of the state, Fashola said although Jonathan had a right to visit the state, his recent visits were hypocritical because when Lagos was facing its biggest challenge during the Ebola outbreak, the President never visited the state.

He, therefore, urged the people of the state not to be deceived by the visits.

Fashola accused the President of distributing dollars during his five-day visit to the state last week, adding that Jonathan’s planned visit to Lagos on Sunday would amount to nothing.

He said, “They have said the President is coming to Lagos. He is welcome to come; Lagos is part of his constituency but we will not vote for him because when we needed him, he did not come to help us. When the international airport road was damaged and he promised to fix it, did you see him?

“When Ebola hit Lagos, did he come? When Kuramo Beach was overflowing and it was going to wipe out the entire Goshen Beach Estate, did you see the President? When I took him to Ibeju-Lekki, where people were losing their lands, we flew in a helicopter to the place but after that, the President never returned. I wrote letters and appealed but no response.

“We have been using your taxes to protect those communities. So, you have been on your own, with your own party and government. So, he can come 200 times but will you vote for him? The only time the President works is a few weeks to elections. When there was security problem in Lagos, who was buying guns and patrol vehicles for the police? Was it not us?”

Ambode said his supporters were free to collect money from Jonathan when he comes to visit on Sunday. He, however, urged the people of the state not to sell their PVCs to the PDP.

“When they offer you dollars, collect it, it is our money. But vote for us,” he said.

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Jonathan’s visit to Lagos a waste – Fashola, Ambode