Group endorses Ambode for second term
A socio-political group, Itesinwaju Ipinle Eko Foundation, has given the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, its endorsement to run for another term of four years in the 2019 gubernatorial election.
The group, through its patron, Abdul-Hakeem Abdulateef, who is also the State Commissioner for Home Affairs, gave its endorsement at an empowerment programme it organised at Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos.
According to the commissioner, Governor Ambode has done tremendously well for the people of the state, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, security of lives and property, diversification and growth of the state’s revenue base, among others.
“So far, there has not been anyone who has come out to say he would challenge our governor at the poll in 2019, even among members of the opposition parties and that to us is an attestation of the good job he has been doing. It is, therefore, becoming a consensus that the governor who has performed so well should be re-elected to carry on.
“And it is for this reason that we are saying for the progress of Lagos State, Governor Ambode should carry on as our governor in 2019,” the commissioner said.
The group’s patron also said such consensus should be extended to other states where it could be proven that the governor had performed well.
He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should simply carry out a referendum to let the populace justify their preference instead of wasting resources in conducting elections.
“It is unnecessary to conduct election in the 36 states in 2019. And the reason is that we will be wasting Nigeria’s resources in conducting such poll. Some states don’t need to conduct election and Lagos is included.
“We need to look at states where the incumbent has cutting-edge advantages. Any state where people can come together and decide their governor should continue in office, such state should be spared the rigour of going to the poll again.
“In those states, referendum should be conducted. If we embark on such act, the governor will be able to work harder because he or she now knows that the social contract he signed with the citizens must be respected to the fullest,” the commissioner added.