Lagos Can't Afford To Be In Opposition, Most Especially As Tinubu Leads From The Front

By Giwa Murtala Omotola-Moore

Lagos has long distinguished itself as a cosmopolitan centre. As home for everyone from different nationalities, tribes and of course, religion, the residents of Lagos just want the best in terms of social and economic dividends. Lagos state with its tremendous potentialities stand the chance of benefiting from Federal Government’s policies and programmes, particularly as the father of the modern smart city emerge as the President Elect.

As Nigerians celebrate the birth of a "Renewed Hope", Lagosians look forward to feeling the impact of the federal government more than ever before now that the father of the modern Lagos is now the President Elect, the alignment between the Federal Government and the state will enhance sustainable development. To this end, the electorates must ensure they vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu again in other to continue the good work.

Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and the state’s contribution to the nations GDP cannot be over emphasised. Lagos has always been on the opposition since the inception of this democratic dispensation and albeit short-changed by the opposition party at the centre. We can recall how Obasanjo led administration maltreatment caused the state,  In 2015 it totally changed and this has helped in many ways. Going into opposition again with the Federal Government will not help the state to grow, below are 10 reasons to consider and make sure Lagos doesn’t go to the opposition once again.

1. Federal Government Owes Lagos

The Federal Government owes Lagos over N51 billion Naira. Imagine what that money will do if the state had access to such fund. Many of the state’s infrastructural problems would have been addressed. Lagos state needs to be in sync with Federal Government to get this paid, and this is the opportunity to get it right once and for all for the good of Lagos and the greater good of the nation at large.

2. Lagos needs Federal Presence

The Federal Government have in the past halted federal projects and even went as far as obstructing state projects in Lagos state because Lagos has been an opposition. If the APC is returned to office, giving Lagos the opportunity to be on the side of the federal government for the first time, all abandoned Federal Government buildings and projects can be put to better use and completed. Lagos will be able to persuade the Federal Government to embark on urban renewal and build new towns in Lagos as was done in the time of Shehu Shagari.

3. Lagos deserves special status

Lagos state deserves a Special Status as Economic Capital of Nigeria. With the level of financial contribution to the nations GDP, being on the side of the Federal Government will make it easier to get that recognition.

4. Lagos contributes a lot to the nations GDP

70% of Nationally collected VAT is from Lagos. Yet Lagos gets no preference from Federal Government when allocation is being shared.

5. Attention to pollution and the environment

With a population of over 20 million people, Lagos state hardly benefit from Ecological funds. Even though it needs it more than any other state due to pollution from the large population.

6. Power generation

The only reason why Lagos residents are not enjoying 24hrs power supply is because it has been in the opposition. Lagos has the capacity to build IPP for Lagosians and deliver 24hrs power in a matter of 2 years but the law that every electricity generated must be fed to the national grid has been a major obstacle.

7. Opposition will destroy Lagos

Lagos state has been on a steady rise in its development and opposition will only reverse the trend of progress.

8. Federal Projects

Federal Roads and Bridges in Lagos need rehabilitation and this can easily be achieved with Lagos on the side of the ruling party. For example, the quagmire at Apapa and the International Airport Road can finally be sorted out.

9. Over stretched social amenities

People from every ethnic group and different nationalities are represented in Lagos state which stretches the social facilities in the state. The presence of the federal government in Lagos will go a long way to curb this trend.

10. Nigeria’s prosperity depends on Lagos

Prosperity of Nigeria is tied to the prosperity of Lagos. This is Common sense politics. Vote APC. Vote Sanwo Olu to keep Lagos working and for accelerated growth and progress. This is our chance to get what we really deserve. Lagos can see the promised land and should not consider going back to Egypt.

Moreover, Governor Sanwo-olu deserves our commendation and support, given his performance in critical sectors, such as education, health, road construction, housing, agriculture, among others. The governor has ensured that every part of Lagos State is witnessing exponential development. A governor that has shown this great capacity in leadership, it is proper we allow him continue his good work beyond 2023.

Lagos is definitely on the move always. From the last quarter of this year, the Red Line of the Lagos light rail which runs from Alagbado to CMS would begin operation while the Blue Line which runs from Okokomaiko to CMS would start running in the first quarter of 2023. Already, finishing touches are being put on these rail lines which would forever change the Lagos landscape and scope of public transportation. Other lines to crisscross the state are also in the pipeline.

Indeed, if they ask you what has Sanwo-olu done to deserve a second term, show them this that governor Sanwo-Olu is also building Africa’s biggest children’s hospital called Massey’s Children’s hospital and acquired 120 brand-new compactor trucks for LAWMA last year that cost over N80M per one with 100 mega industrial size bins as LAWMA will soon start resuming by 4AM. 

In fact, Governor Sanwo-Olu is also building a world class fishery company called LACE to be launched next year and converted LASPOTECH and AOCOED to full-time universities, also launched the last mile buses, LAGOS RIDE cab hailing service, bought new made in Nigeria ferries and speed boats and added well over 100 brand new BRT BUSES to the existing ones, despite the fact that some were burnt during the EndSars crises.

One of the major takeaways from the first term in office of Governor Sanwo-Olu is that a leader will always achieve good governance when honesty, passion and vision brought into policy-making and execution are greater than fears and excuses.

Despite fundamental challenges such as COVID-19, #EndSARS violence and global economic downturn economic among others, the Sanwo-Olu administration has continued to bring dividends of democracy to the people.

It is, therefore, heart-warming that the governor is seeking to be re-elected for a second tenure. In my view, this is good news for the residents of the state. Sanwo-Olu has used a greater part of his first term in office to improve their living condition.

In the last three and a half years, the Sanwo-Olu administration has completed and commissioned more than 970 road projects. These include the Agege Pen Cinema Bridge, Oniru network of roads, Ikoyi network of roads, Lagos-Ogun Boundary roads Phase II, Lekki Oniru Traffic Circulation Projects and 37 networks of roads in Ojokoro.

Others are Isawo-Agric road, Ikorodu, Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT lane, Ijede Road Phase 1 in Ikorodu, Tedi-Muwo Link Bridge, Lagos-Ogun boundary Roads in Alimosho and 6 reconfigured Roundabouts – Allen, Ikotun, Maryland, Lekki and Ajah among others.

Similarly, four Mother and Child Centers (MCCs) in Epe, Ajah, Badagry and Igando were completed and commissioned, while the reconstruction of the New Massey’s Street Children Hospital in Lagos Island is on course. When completed, it will be the biggest Children’s Hospital in Africa.

Comprehensive renovation of public health facilities is equally ongoing at Ebute-Meta Health Centre, Harvey Road Health Centre, General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, General Hospital, Isolo, Ketu-Ejirin Health Centre. The administration has also revamped the Jigi Bola initiative (blindness preventive programme) across all LGs and LCDAs in the state.

Giwa Murtala Omotola-Moore Writes From Epe The Fish Basket Of Lagos State