Lagos Elections 2015: Continuity Vs. Change

As Nigeria’s governorship election 2015 is coming closer, Toibudeen Oduniyi in his contribution to Naij.com compares the two Lagos state candidates, Jimi Agbaje and Akinwunmi Ambode, and explains why for Lagos state continuity is much better than change. 
Folks, let us make no mistake about this – there must be continuity in Lagos state. And here are my reasons for saying so.
The state has witnessed tremendous growth in many areas during the last sixteen years, and people living in Lagos will confirm this. There have been great strides in improving the infrastructure amidst the ever-increasing population and enormous demand on public services. We have seen the government driven by a quest for good governance, an inclusive team and a commitment to excellence. The APC has in Lagos a state that has pioneered IGR that remains a model for many states in Nigeria and many countries in Africa. It remains an incubator for leaders and ideas spreading to other parts of Nigeria. So, my people, if it isn’t broke, why fix it?
Yes, there is much more that could have been done, but changing a winning formula for an untested one won’t make governance a positive engine of growth. We all know how much more Lagos state could have achieved if the obstructions hadn’t been placed by the PDP federal government. A good example is the power projects. The majority of Lagos homes would have had good regular electricity long time ago had the PDP federal government allowed Lagos state to implement its power programme. The PDP federal government has for years frustrated Lagos development plans.
I am yet to see or hear anything other than populist ideas like scrapping the tolls and LASTMA from Jimi Agbaje that beats the APC’s master plan for Lagos. Many people say he is a nice guy, but, as for me, he is a man of telegenic appeal but little substance. The PDP as a party has no precedence of performance or innovative ideas. In other words, they have nothing that could surprise us positively. On a merit and competency comparison basis, Ambode beats Agbaje hands down. Ambode came from a humble background and rose to top level of his career whilst Agbaje’s record appears devoid of any tangible achievement in public service. Besides, I am yet to see any concrete plans or policies from Agbaje beating what Ambode stands for.
Let’s call a spade a spade: the driving force behind Agbaje is really the anti-Tinubu gospel, but Iet us be mindful of the saying “don’t cut your nose to spite your face”, as he has done more good than harm. Despite what people believe in, Tinubu has done more for democracy than all politicians gunning for him combined. But for him, Nigeria will be a one-party state today. At the height of the PDP’s intimidation with federal might, he stood rock solid in insisting on true federalism in the process strengthening our democracy.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/416394-lagos-elections-2015-continuity-vs-change.html