19th March, 2011
Alimosho, the most populous local government area in Lagos State, came to a standstill on Friday as thousands of supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN trooped out to show their support for the candidature of Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and other candidates of the party in the 2011 elections.
Speaking at the mega rally which took place at the old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in Igando, Governor Fashola who was supported by his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Alimosho will become the capital of Nigeria by the time the masterplan for the city is unveiled.
He urged the people to ensure that they triple the number of votes that was cast for the ACN in the last elections at the 2011 elections, saying the feat is possible because Alimosho has the largest land mass in the state.
He said the state government has completed 32 out of the 43 roads awarded by his administration in Alimosho area while work is on going on the remaining 11.
He added that in the 2011 budget, provisions have been made for 14 roads just as 16 schools have been rehabilitated in the area while more are billed for construction in 2011.
“The Iba housing estate for low, medium and high income earners would be constructed in Alimosho where beneficiaries would be made to pay 30 percent of the total cost and pack in while the remaining would be paid by them between 10 years and 15 years through mortgage facilities to be arranged by the state governmentâ€, he added.
“The housing estate would be connected to the light rail coming from Badagry to Lagos to ease their movements and their goods,†he promised them.
He also urged the residents of the area to exercise patience with the state government and the contractor handling the Iyana Ipaja and Egbeda road, saying on its completion more BRT buses would be deployed to the route.
Governor Fashola said work has been completed on the Maternal and Child Care Hospital in Alimosho which is currently being stocked with equipment.
“In the area of sports development, the Alimosho stadium design is ready and construction works would commence there as soon as that of Agege Stadium is completedâ€, the Governor told them.
Governor Fashola debunked rumours that all was not well between him and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying it was the handiwork of the opposition and that Lagosians should not believe them, adding “they wanted to use it as a ploy to make me defect to their party which is not going to work,” he said.
He said the Action Congress of Nigeria runs a very inclusive government which explains why some days ago, it employed 507 graduate teachers from different ethnic backgrounds to strengthen candidates who would be sitting for final examinations in the State.
He said the PDP as a party has failed because the party promised to ensure that Nigeria joins the league of 20 most industrial nations but has instead brought the country backwards by joining the group of eight least developed nations.
He said in the 2011 elections, Nigerians should show the red card to the PDP because on two occasions which are in 2003 and 2007, the party already received yellow cards.
National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tunubu, while speaking urged the people of Lagos state and Nigerians to vote by thumb printing the broom which is the symbol of the ACN on the election days.
He implored the market women and men, party supporters, loyalists and youth to ensure that when they get home they educate all others on where to thumb print on the election days.
“The broom which is the symbol of our party ACN logo on the ballot papers would be representing our presidential candidate and his running mate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Mr Fola Adeola, our governorship candidate and his running mate, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Adejoke-Orelope Adefulire and other candidates of the ACN that would contesting the elections in the April polls,’’ he explained.
Asiwaju Tinubu also appealed to vehicle owners to assist the aged by bringing them to the voting centres on that day for them to be able to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.
“After voting, guard your votes by staying around so that they are counted in your presence by the INEC officials to guard against rigging,†he enjoined.
He said the ACN rejects the endorsement of Governor Fashola by the Labour Party, describing it as a poison endorsement.
He said if the party is keen on supporting the ACN, it should withdraw all its other candidates vying for other positions in the State, emphasising that the ACN will resist all attempts to rig the elections.
Also speaking, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola enjoined the voters from Alimosho whom he said had registered 750,000 votes to ensure that at least 500,000 of it is cast for the ACN candidates during the Presidential, governorship, National and State Assembly elections.
He implored Lagosians to observe vigils every Thursday preceding every election where prayers would be offered by adherents of Islam and Christianity for them to be successful.
Party flags were presented to the Lagos West Senatorial candidate, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, House of Representatives candidate, Hon Solomon Olamilekan and Mrs Tayo Oduntan and Bisi Yusuff respectively.
Among those present at the rally were First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, Osun State First Lady, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, running mate of Governor Fashola, Hon Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Chairmen from the Alimosho zone, other distinguished guests and people from all walks of life.
