Lagos ANDP candidate decries rate of poverty, insecurity

THE governorship candidate of the Advanced National Democratic Party (ANDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Olusegun Musa, has decried the high rate of poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the country.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos, Musa who is a maritime and logistics expert wondered why citizens should be suffering and groaning in abject poverty in the midst of plenty.

The governorship candidate lamented that both the federal and the Lagos State government have failed in their responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of the citizenry. He added that the rate of crime in the state has increased due to lack of jobs and high rate of poverty inflicted on the masses by the government.

Musa advised the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to focus on combating crime, unemployment and poverty in the state, instead of its current effort to beautify the environment, by constructing bus-stops and motor parks across the state.

The ANDP candidate berated the Ambode-led APC government for failing to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, after almost four years in power. He stressed that a government that cannot deliver in its electoral promises has failed the electorates and should be voted out of office.

The governorship candidate contended that if elected into office he will carry out three major cardinal programmes of sports development, tourism and entertainment, to create jobs, revenue generation and to increase internally generated revenue.

He stated that he was contesting for the governorship seat because the incumbent government has failed to address the excruciating poverty and deprivation, stressing that if elected he would make Ejigbo the Nollywood headquarters, to boost tourism and youths empowerment.

The candidate averred that, if elected, he would provide modern general hospitals across the 57 local governments across the state and that civil servants will be given cars and houses on long term loans agreement. He also promised to provide water transportation and decongest the Apapa Port, as part of his programme to eradicate traffic gridlock in the Lagos metropolis.

He attributed votes-buying and inducement of voters by politicians with money to the excruciating poverty in the land and the inordinate ambition by politicians to win elections at all cost. But he advised the electorates to collect the money and vote according to their conscience.

Musa also took a swipe on the two major political parties, the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for using public funds to organise campaign rallies. He said his campaign is not being funded by anybody. He warned the opposition to stop destroying his posters across the state.

While promising to integrate the youths and market women into his government, the ANDP chieftain contended that if elected he would retire 70 per cent of the permanent secretaries and make them commissioners. This, he said, would enhance good governance and the use of experienced technocrats to deliver his electoral promises.

On how he would defeat the major contender in the race, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, the ANDP candidate said Lagosians were tired of propaganda and lies and they are eagerly yearning for change. He added that the APC government in Lagos State has failed the people.

He promised to run an e-government in the 57 local governments, in order to ensure effective service delivery and all-inclusive government devoid of partisanship and corrosive corruption.