HIS FLAWED CONVICTION

HIS FLAWED CONVICTION

In an attempt to reverse the significance and  implication of his initial campaign rhetoric prior to the presidential poll  that Lagos state needed to be "aligned with the centre"; Mr JK Agbaje took to his Facebook page to publish an epistle which contained reasons why he thought that Lagos under his reign and in opposition could still experience massive development especially in 4 years. 

Mr Agbaje went on to liken his potential reign to pre-independence Lagos,  Lagos of 1979-1983 and even Lagos of 1999-present day. Mr Agbaje practically acknowledged that Lagos state has been highly successful since 1999 yet he wants to interrupt that because he has now suddenly repented of his firm belief that aligning Lagos with the centre was our only option. 

As I went through his lambtale, I couldn't help but notice some flaws in what am individual gunning for the Lagos office included to strengthen his case.  He stated that when Awo was premier (up to 62), the Action Group led Lagos and the NCNC led the FG. What kind of statement is this?  Is he that oblivious of history or did some infant write the piece for him?  The AG was dominant in the Western region alright but Lagos was the nation's capital and was run administered via a combination of federal and regional resources.  It may not be safe to say the AG led in Lagos because the truth is that the NCNC though a party with very strong Eastern support at the time was also strong in Lagos if not stronger than the AG. The NCNC was led before Zik by Herbert Macaulay and so retained huge popularity in Lagos. It is on record and common knowledge that following the 1959 parliamentary elections; the Northern people's congress with most seats won formed a coalition with the NCNC to rule the country while the AG became the opposition. How JK inferred that the NCNC led the centre in those days remains baffling for someone who is hailed for his speaking proficiency. 

Mr JK went further to mention that Michael Otedola of the NRC was governor in Lagos while the SDP led the central Federal government prior to the annulment of the June 12 elections.  I truly don't understand how the SDP led the FG in 1992/1993. Was Babaginda a member of the SDP before he stepped aside in late August of 1993 or was MKO Abiola able to be president despite being undeclared as winner of that election?  

I really don't think Mr JK should emerge as governor of Lagos tomorrow because he seems to be prone to distorting history and  utilising ethnic sentiments to his advantage without any sense of responsibility. He has asked Igbo traders to use their PVCs to figuratively drive the APC into the lagoon perhaps to avenge the statements made by the Oba of Lagos yet he continues to somehow forget that it was not the APC or any of their members who made those unfortunate statements.  I am yet to see or read anywhere JK has condemned the oba of Lagos for his harsh words but he wants APC in the lagoon. 

I think it will be disastrous to allow the PDP recently conquered in the centre to have a lifeline to resuscitate their cancerous self even though brother Jimi continues to claim that his genetic makeup is totally different from his fallen comrades in the PDP. Jimi acknowledged that Lagos has thrived since 1999 despite immense resistance from the centre.  The AD-AC-ACN-APC achieved this by developing their own methods;  If they don't get returned,  I am of the belief that they would strategically relocate their think-tank to function at the federal level leaving JK to create his own protocols using his Bold ideas.  I'm afraid the potential leaches from the March annihilation may not allow any such BOLD ideas to thrive; they have lifestyles to sustain now. He is supremely confident that the incoming Buhari administration will not be vindictive if he wins. 

I'm not impressed by the character of the man Agbaje; I want to believe that the likes of Alao Akala may in fact be better and more consistent characters than the smooth talking 58 year old PDP aspirant. I chose to go along with the judgement of the outgoing governor Raji Fashola. If he thinks that Ambode can do the job well then I think most Lagosians should trust him.

jolee

10/04/15

published later.