A true megacity in every sense of the word, with world class infrastructure, social amenities and an environment conducive for citizens and visitors are what Lagosians should expect Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, to be like from 2015.
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Akin Ambode, made this pledge in Lagos on Monday while addressing party faithful as part of his continuation of his consultations and “thank-you” tour of local government areas in the state.
Ambode spoke to a large crowd that endorsed his candidature at the Excellence Hotel in Ogba, where he met with leaders and party members from Ikeja, Onigbongbo and Ojodu local government areas, who joined enthusiastic members of the Akin Ambode Campaign Organization to express support for the former Accountant General of Lagos State.
As the capital city of Lagos State, Ikeja, according to Ambode, deserves to be a super capital city within a mega city that Lagos State as a whole has become.
If he gets the party’s nod during the primaries slated for December 2 and eventually goes ahead to win the governorship election slated for February next year, Ambode said one of his chief pre-occupations would be the need to accord Ikeja the true status befitting of a capital city.
He said: “Yes, we can see evidence of rapid developments in Ikeja like every other part of Lagos.
“But many people either forget so easily or are not aware that not only is Ikeja a first-class city, but is actually the capital of this prosperous and very important state of ours.
“We need to let the glory of Ikeja show and blossom to every eye.
“And there is no better way to do this by doing a lot more for the city in terms of physical developments and rapid infrastructural developments.
“We must make the city attractive to businesses and business owners, while ensuring the safety of every residential and commercial area in the capital city.
“Ikeja should be seen like every world-class capital cities of the world and I am committed to ensuring this happens by the grace of God when the time comes.”
Ambode, who highlighted his qualifications as a thorough-bred professional and a grassroots mobiliser who spent the first 13 years of his career as an accountant/auditor in various local government areas in Lagos State, added that he would submit himself totally to the manifesto of the party as well as the direction of the party leadership.
He said: “We cannot be tired of saying this – that no individual is bigger than or more popular than the party.
“It is the party that chooses a candidate and equips him for the onerous job of governance.
“A good candidate cannot therefore get to position of power and starts to implement his own vision.
“It must be the vision of the party and our great party, APC, has the perfect manifesto that addresses every need of the citizens from free education and health to rapid infrastructural developments.”
Ambode, whose formal declaration at Onikan Stadium last month has continued to elicit positive reactions from far and near, commenced his tour of the local government areas in the state last week.
He has visited among others Ikorodu, Alimoso, Badagry, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Oshodi and Ojo.
At Lagos Island, Ambode was greeted with lots of excitement as he was received by party leaders.
Olatilewa Aro Lambo, former Secretary to the State Government in the administration of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State, described Ambode as a man with pedigree and an aspirant that is eminently qualified to fly the banner of the party.
Lambo pledged that the Lagos Island chapter of the APC will give its full support to Ambode at the primaries because there is need for continuity of excellence.
Also present at the reception organized for Ambode at the City Hall were APC Lagos State Secretary, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni; the immediate past Chairman, Lagos Island East LCDA, Hon. Kamal Salau-Bashua; and the APC party leader in Lagos Island, Chief O. Oyemade and others.
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