Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Thursday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has served the country in reverse in the last 16 years.
Fashola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, were in Ibeju-Lekki on a campaign rally.
The Governor, who spoke to a tumultuous crowd at Iberekodo Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki, said Nigeria has elected a bad government that is sponsored by a bad party at the federal level.
He recalled that eight years ago when he became governor of Lagos, the dollar was exchanging for N115 to one dollar and noted with pity that as at today, one dollar is exchanging at N225, adding that it has created problems for Nigerian businessmen who depend on importation because of the devalued naira.
He stressed that the most credible thing to be done by all Nigerians is to come out en masse on March 28 and April 11 and reject PDP by voting massively for the candidates of the APC at all levels.
He added that the people should not be scared by the presence of military men on election dates because even the military men and their families are also affected by the downturn in the Nigerian economy.
Fashola urged all residents of the State to be resolute and ensure that they come out and vote for the APC candidates by thumb printing in the column provided beside the broom symbol on the ballot paper.
He stated that the APC is a party that fulfills promises made, adding that he promised the people of Ibeju-Lekki that he would construct a Free Trade Zone for them and that today he has fulfilled the promise.
The governor said in addition, his government is collaborating with the Dangote Group of companies on the construction of a refinery in the Lekki area, adding that when completed, the refinery would produce 400,000 barrel of refined crude daily.
He said during the construction process, the refinery would provide employment to about 8000 workers which would lead to an improvement in the economy of the area as several sectors would be positively impacted by it.
He gave an assurance that when completed, the refinery would provide employment to about 2000 engineers and that the completion of work on the refinery and its commissioning by Ambode would also bring about supply of electricity to the area.
He stressed that as an addition, when he assumed office, he promised to build a seaport for the people which would be a joint venture project between the private investor, the State Government and the Federal Government.
He said regrettably, the State Government and the private investor have paid their share of the funds to finance the project but that the Federal Government has continued to delay the payment of 117Million Dollars which is its share of the funding.
The governor added that the state is also committed to the building of an airport in the Ibeju-Lekki zone which is a project in appreciation of the support of the people for the APC government in Lagos State.
He urged the people not to be deceived by the antics and lies of the PDP which has always fallen flat on its face, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan is busy trying to rush what he could not achieve in six years within six weeks.
He added that President Jonathan is a leader who prides himself as a lover of the youth and one who is interested in technological advancement of the nation, yet his party (PDP) is opposing the use of card readers
He said when the queues appeared at the filling stations last week, some officials of the Federal Government were quick to accuse the APC of being behind the fuel scarcity while just some few days ago, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, openly admitted that the fuel scarcity was as a result of non-payment of marketers.
While addressing the rally, the gubernatorial candidate, Ambode promised to transform Ibeju-Lekki area and ensure a continuation of the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
He added that his administration would also construct a sports complex in the area to discover and nurture the several budding talents that abound in the area especially for swimmers so that they can attain great heights with their talents.
He reiterated his promise to create an employment trust fund and provide N1billion every year for each division in the state for unemployed people to access loans that would make them self-employed.
He added that tourist potentials of Ibeju-Lekki would be harnessed just as his administration would ensure that it takes care of the aged and widows in the scheme of things, charging all residents of the state to come out en masse on March 28 and April 11 to vote for APC candidates at all levels.
The campaign rally which also witnessed the presentation of APC flags to the candidates for the various positions was attended by the First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola; wife of the governorship candidate, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; running mate to the APC flag bearer, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, and other party leaders.
