The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, has distanced himself from orchestrated plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to soil his image ahead of the coming elections.
Speaking against the backdrop of a clash at the Ikeja Toll-Gate of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, reportedly involving officials of the SURE-P on one hand and police and LASTMA on the other hand, Agbaje said none of his vehicles played a role in the incident.
He said: “It is quite pathetic that Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, could shamefully lie that my campaign vehicle was used in conveying SURE-P officials to control traffic at the said spot. This is pure falsehood. Not only are the insinuations disgusting and preposterous, they go to show the desperation of APC leaders to unjustly whip up sentiments against my person and party ahead of the coming polls. Right-thinking members of the society would like to know if an Agency, kitted and funded by the Federal Government, really needs my vehicles for its operations.”
According to a statement signed by Remi Adefulu of the Directorate of Media and Publicity for Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the People’s Democratic Party Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, APC chieftains had similarly linked the PDP flag-bearer to other unsubstantiated allegations before now.
“Curiously, the Transportation Ministry’s Spokesman exposed APC’s desperation when he said the campaign vehicle was only seen in the premises of SURE-P,” the statement noted.
Agbaje, however, advised Lagosians not to succumb to orchestrated attempts at misinformation being rolled out by the APC, noting that they were the antics of a sinking party.
Stressing that he remained committed to peaceful and credible polls, Agbaje said Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation and rancour.
“It is on record that not a single life has been lost since we started our journey of town hall meetings, followed by rallies, across the length and breadth of Lagos State in the last few months,” he said. “My advice to Lagosians is to continue to maintain the peace, because no matter the shenanigans of the opposite camp, PDP will defeat the APC. Lagosians want change, and change they will have.”
According to him, the campaign run by PDP in Lagos had been issues-based, and had given no room to frivolities, mudslinging and violence.
The PDP candidate called on his party’s supporters to join the crusade for a free, fair and credible election in Lagos State.
He especially tasked supporters to seize the window of opportunity offered by the six-week postponement of elections to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
“Eligible voters must overlook the current inconveniences and inadequacies being experienced in the PVC distribution exercise and ensure they collect their PVCs. That is the most vital instrument for effecting the much-desired change in Lagos,” Agbaje said.
