Ambode warns of security breach in today’s primary.
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (left)addressing World Press Conference in Lagos…yesterday.
Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed dismay that the relative peace enjoyed by the residents of the state might be subjected to the vagaries of overambitious politicians.
Alluding to the plots to deny him a second term ticket to contest next year’s gubernatorial election on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), Ambode said he was disturbed by media reports about the governorship primary election billed to hold today.
The governor, who addressed a press conference at the Government House, Alausa, exuded confidence and boldness and his readiness to face the odds placed on his path by potentates.
It is clear that the press conference was intended to pre-inform Lagosians of what quarters to hold responsible should they start seeing certain untoward occurrences in the state.
In a tone suggestive of the governor’s insistence on calling the bluff of unnamed APC stakeholders, Ambode declared: “It has become necessary for me to address you in view of the events of the last two weeks, particularly media reports in respect of the imminent APC governorship primary election in Lagos State.
“The last three and a half years have witnessed tremendous improvement in our security apparatus and a significant drop in the incidents of crime in our state.
However, the current political situation has caused palpable tension and unnecessary fears among law-abiding Lagosians.”
He said security reports available to the state government revealed “that there is an ongoing recruitment and arming of political thugs to disrupt the tranquil atmosphere of Lagos State, in the guise of holding primary elections.”
It is clear that the battle lines have been drawn between the incumbent and his detractors and it is not clear what shape the ensuing contest would take, even as the governor maintained that as “a responsible government that has invested so much in enhancing security of lives and property in the state, we will not allow any disruptive elements to cause panic or wreak havoc that will affect the progressive strides which Lagosians are known for.”
He appeared not to trust “the assurances of our party leaders to conduct free and fair primary elections for aspirants into the various political offices,” because he explained that “it has become imperative to put every stakeholder on notice, especially the Federal Government and security agencies, to take more than a passing interest in the development in this state that has hitherto been adjudged as the safest city in Africa.”
Speaking from the standpoint of the Chief Security Officer of the state, Ambode added: “Consequently, the state government will do all within its powers in collaboration with relevant security agencies to protect our citizens and insulate them from any condition that may breed insecurity or the breakdown of law and order in the state throughout the primaries campaign and election periods.”
There are fears of possible violence in the APC governorship primary, which was postponed to today, especialy against the background of the governor’s decision not to chicken out or shy away from the direct primary ordered by the national leadership of the party for Lagos State.
While assuring all Lagosians to be calm and go about their normal businesses, Governor Ambode advised “criminal elements not to foment any trouble in the name of politics or under any guise,” stressing that the full wrath of the law would be brought to bear on any law breaker.
He situated his decision to seek a second term on his desire to consolidate on the ambitious projects initiated by his administration, even as he pleaded for the support of every party member in tomorrow’s primary election, maintaining, “we shall overcome.”
For the first time in the hide-and-seek game surrounding the issue of endorsement or not for Ambode, the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, came out with a statement in which he endorsed a rival aspirant, noting that the unnamed aspirant has been in the service of Lagos State Government for the period spanning Fashola’s and the present dispensation.
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