Before the Bye-Elections in Lagos

By Omo Eko Pataki/

Our state, the original state of Excellence which was founded and built on the relentless struggles of selfless heroes will soon cross another threshold in a few weeks as new elections will be held to fill the vacancies at both the East Senatorial district and the Kosofe House of Assembly seat.

We write again as non- partisan , non-sectarian stakeholders in the Lagosian dream. Our concern goes beyond the limiting confines of friendship. Our focus is far beyond the tawdry recourse of personal , selfish interest.

No. Our sole fixity and summative vision is about the growth and the development of our state which was built on the sweat and the determination of our heroic founding fathers.

Without bias to the various ethnic groups who live with us in peace and with trust and harmonious cohabitation, we basically want to protect our heritage. We want the best for everyone, both natives and non- natives.

But we insist that our people must have a pride of place upon their ancestral soil. We insist that indigenous Lagosians from the five administrative divisions of IBILE namely Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos ( Eko) and Epe must naturally be given preference in the governance of their state. On this much we stand with rigid, non- negotiable avowal.

Now that the parties are heading to the polls again for the aforementioned vacant seats, we are stirred into this particular intervention to guide the electorates aright and analyze what seems to us as disturbing indications.

While it is not our business how the parties run their organizations, it is our vested interest to protect and strengthen the principles of democracy. Specifically, we as Lagosians and as members of the larger electorates are not comfortable with the woolly, puzzling, undemocratic manner in which a Senatorial candidate of a major party emerged. This particular person emerged through a seemingly dubious process that flouts the integrity of democratic principles.

Again, this candidate appears to have been suddenly rushed out of his former appointment, anointed and crowned. It is also in the public sphere that the candidate’s former employer gave some irrevocable loans worth N10 billion to all the local governments in the state. Our query is: Is it true? If so , there is an apparent conflict of interest and illegitimacy about the process. Again, if it is true, it is illegal and it is wrong. And we advise the appropriate authorities to look into this issue.

We equally notice with great disappointment that there is virtually nothing going on in our state in terms of development and in the enhancement of the livelihoods of the poor.

What we observe everywhere are abandoned projects, derelict, debased housing estates built over 40 years ago by the legendary Alhaji Lateef Jakande but now ill-maintained and reduced to howling ghettoes.

What we see everywhere is tax and more tax. They tax the roadside mechanic. They tax the poor, impoverished woman selling at the local canteens called Buka. They tax the carpenter, the labourers at the building sites, the plumber, the artisan and even the unemployed are supposed to produce tax certificates!

Pray, is this fair? Is this just? Is this enlightened governance?

And they are not providing the necessary services to make life more livable for everyone. Where is the Fourth Mainland Bridge that they promised more than ten years ago? What happened to the metro-line which could have decongested our clogged roads? Where are the Ferry lanes and jetties for park and ride?

They are taking without giving anything back. Pray, what then is the purpose of governance?

We must, however, acknowledge the very laudable reversal of the harsh Land Use Law that was imposed by the last administration. This is good governance. It shows the possibility of discerning leadership.

Let them reverse the other failings too. Let them make governance more transparent and accountable to the people. Let them empower the poor instead of inflicting more impoverishment. Let them build more standard and affordable markets instead of the over-priced shopping malls that are beyond the reach of the poor. Let them repair the various Jakande Housing Estates that are now in ruins. Let them build more affordable Houses for the working class.

Let them encourage developmental investors instead of imposing multiple taxations that drive businesses to the neighboring states.

It is fitting and appropriate that we should borrow from the Cross River state example where Governor Ayade is steering the ship of state with humane, conscious, selfless service to the people. While we are virtually deepening the circles of the poor through endless taxation, he is reducing the burdens of the poor by exempting them from all kinds of vicious taxation. This is exemplary. We applaud Governor Ayade’s progressive vision.

Our elected officials should be more enlightened about progressive legislations instead of the selfish focus on personal comfort . They too should help reduce the burdens of the poor by creating more opportunities for employment especially in this harsh, COVID economy.

Our state coffers is in the red while we generate about 600 billion naira in a year. How do you reconcile this anomaly ?

What happened to all the billions ? How much is Alpha Beta collecting from our Treasury since 1999 ? And who owns this humongous entity ? How much do we collect from the Toll Gates at Lekki and Ikoyi ? We are all waiting for answers. This is what transparency and good governance is all about.

We will be rebuked by history and by generations yet unborn if we keep quiet and join the league of the mute. To say nothing, to do nothing, to straddle on the fence in distant indifference is an apparent complicity with evil. We dare to stand up and shout from the rooftops so that the wrongs on the ground can be rectified.

We will never be part of the petty, punny club of the cowed, the silent who have chosen their personal comfort over the larger Lagosian values and interests.

It is wrong to pretend that all is well when our young men and women roam the streets without jobs while a very few dominate our fortunes and riches.

It is wrong to pretend there is harmony and fairness when the very ugliness of cronyism and arbitrary power diminishes us all.

There is nothing personal here at all. We have chosen to stand with the voiceless. We have chosen to discard narrow, parochial interest and embrace a more enduring truth.

Government must always be seen to be responsible and responsive to the needs and the yearnings of the people. For instance, the recent decision to take away the supply of petroleum products from the ordinary people and the revocation of various private sector participation programs which help the small scale businesses should be reconsidered. Removing the private participation and handing it over to IBILE Holdings erodes competitiveness, amounting to a government monopoly.

While we acknowledge that some of these programs are susceptible to abuse, they should be redesigned and strengthened for probity rather than outright dissolution. That’s their livelihood that has been taken away. This is wrong and unfair. Government has inadvertently swollen the unemployment roll.

Thousands of families will suffer economic misfortunes over this decision. We urge again that this decision should be reviewed in the public interest.

Let us restore compassion to governance.
Let us restore excellence to our state. Let us bring back sunshine into the lives of our people. This is what good and enlightened governance is all about.

Just last Saturday at his party’s gubernatorial campaign swing in Ondo State, Mr Bola Tinubu had observed: “Our ability to place the public welfare above our ambitions is what differentiates us from the political regressives who would rather that the general welfare suffer so they can fulfil their personal whims and wishes.” This is a brilliant philosophical waxing. We welcome it. Let him now put his words into action in Lagos State. He should walk the talk lest he be deemed as vacuous, contradictory, latched in hypocritical emptiness.

We write without prejudice, without malice, without partisan bias. We intervene now and we will continue to speak the truth to power because we care about the dignity of our people and the protection of our Lagosian heritage. On this much we will never waiver nor fail. Our word is our honor and our bond .

⁃   Chief Olabode George, mni, FNSE, CON
   Atona Odua of Yorubaland 
   Leader of Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum
⁃   Rtd Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, ndc, psc(+} DSS
   Former GOC, 3rd Armored Division, Jos
   Trustee of Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum
⁃ Mr Gbadebo Dallass, MSc 
   Former MD of NERFUND
   Trustee of Ọmọ Eko Pataki Forum

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