Kunle ADELOABU & Wale JAGUN
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ikorodu Constituency I Assembly seat for the 2019 general elections, Mr Mukaila Abiola Ajagun-Lamina, has flagged-off his campaign with the promises to introduce reform bills and empower his constituents if elected to represent them.
The flag-off ceremony, which was held at the Ita-Elewa Youth Centre in Ikorodu on Saturday, December 22, 2018, was heralded with a rally led by the candidate himself round Ikorodu township as PDP members and other residents trooped out to support the major opposition party and its candidate.
The rally later terminated at the Ita Elewa Youth where the PDP Chairman in Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Taiwo Adekogbe, presented the PDP flag to Hon. Lamina to officially recognize him as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming general elections and officially declared the commencement of his campaign.
Adekogbe also charged party members to work together for the victory of the party in the coming elections and also enjoined them to protect their votes.
“We all have to come together and cooperate so that we can fight our common enemies in the next general elections. You also need to canvass your family members and friends to do the same.
“You must ensure that you protect your votes by staying back after casting the ballot to witness the counting of votes and recording of results before leaving the polling units.”
He stated further that the campaign has commenced fully with the presentation of the party’s flag to the candidate.
“With the presentation of the party’s flag to our candidate, Mukaila Lamina, it implies that we have commenced the campaign to ensure his victory. We all have to embark on a house-to-house campaign. That is how to ensure that we win the seat for our party.”
Mr Abiodun Moshood Aro, the PDP Candidate for Ikorodu Constituency II, while also speaking, stated :
“Since our people do not know what they want, that is why they are always given what they don’t like and they would always accept it.”
He called on voters in Ikorodu to give support to Hon. Lamina by massively voting for him.
“Mukaila Lamina is our party’s candidate in Ikorodu Constituency I. Let’s us all go out to work for him and other candidates of our party vying for other elective positions in the coming elections.
Mrs Popoola Omotolani, the party’s Federal House of Representatives candidate, stated that members of the opposition have work to do to ensure victory.
“We have serious work to do because this is not a joking matter. This is our chance to defeat the ruling party but we must work together.”
She also enjoined party members to get their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC).
“We have to get our PVC if truly we are desirable to defeat the under-performing APC. There is a need to change what they have given us at the federal and state levels.”
She also called for a house-to-house campaign.
Meanwhile, Hon. Mukaila Lamina, in his address, stated his desire to give the people independent representation.
“My fellow Ikorodu compatriots, our gathering here today is a clear indication that the years of rubber-stamping legislation that impoverishes our people is over. Ikorodu is noted for its independence of thought while its sons and daughters have been frontliners in the politics of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.”
He pledged to be the voice of his people who, according to him, are clamouring for a change.
“As a strong believer in community and grassroots development, I embarked on wide consultation with concerned minds and reached the conclusion that Ikorodu Constituency I needs a true people’s voice that puts you first always.
“From my consultations, what is obvious and clear is that the people of Ikorodu Constituency I are tired of years of rubber-stamping legislation that exposes our people to the filth of refuse. We want a break from the years of rubber-stamping that imposes tax hardship without people inclusion.
“Today, by popular demand and will of God, we have initiated the process of emancipating our Constituency and returning it to the path of glory.”
The candidate, who stated that he does not have answers to all problems, called for the support of the people in his quest to win the election.
“Let me quickly state that I do not claim to have all the answers you seek, but together we can chart this great course of prosperity and make our Constituency work for all through effective legislation and responsive oversight of the executive arm.”
Revealing some his agenda for his people if elected, Lamina pledged to embark on the legislations that would bring about reform of the transportation system, empower constituents and strengthening public schools.
“Today, BRT terminal on daily basis plays host to hundreds of commuters who experience preventable delays in accessing BRT buses. I intend to initiate reform bill and work passionately to ensure that commuters enjoy wider transport choices on the road and waterways.
“I will seek to strengthen Public Private Partnership (PPP) in making our public transportation infrastructures more efficient and people friendly.
“The Re-Empower bill I will be introducing is a holistic, sustainable and practical legislative effort at making our youths economically empowered and our women financially stronger. Single mothers, divorcees, and widows shall receive special status for financial funding for any business of their choice” , he pledged.
“As a product of public school education, I strongly believe that if education is strengthened, the community will be stronger for it. If given the mandate, I plan to bring on board legislative reforms that will make public education from primary to secondary school the preferred choice for the generality of our people.”
He also promised that his representation, when elected, would ensure that Ikorodu is well represented while also appealing for peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.
“Let the word go out from this venue that if elected, your voice for better things for Ikorodu will be louder and deafening. That Lamina is here to give you true representation come 2019. The neglect of Ikorodu within the socio-economic landscape of Lagos State must stop now.
“Permit me to use this avenue to appeal to our teeming supporters that while we are on the verge of taking back Ikorodu from individuals that have held us hostage for years and return it to the people, let us do so peacefully and overwhelmingly by voting PDP for Ikorodu Constituency I”, Lamina appealed.
