Olugbenga Moloney

The March 2019 Governorship elections are fast approaching, with the major contenders in Lagos leaving no stone unturned.

However, having critically examined the electioneering efforts of the candidate of the people's democratic party- Mr. Jimi Agbaje, one is forced to ask if the 61 year old contender is truly trying to be governor or just making subtle moves for a possible federal appointment?

Prior to December the 1st 2018, many Lagosians had questioned the PDPs candidate on the reasons for his seemingly retarded campaign tempo ahead the general elections. His response and i quote was-

“Good morning Lagos, my team and I have gotten a barrage of questions asking why I haven’t been actively campaigning in public and I think it’s about time that we addressed it. “Let’s be clear, the INEC rules guiding this election unequivocally state that campaigning for the 2019 gubernatorial elections shall not begin until the 1st of December, 2018. In their words – not mine – and I quote, “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party (not just candidates) shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day...."Now if that is the rule, then we have no choice but to abide by it...

Now almost 60 days later since INECs nod, it is still hard to be convinced that the PDPs candidate has thrown his hat in the ring just yet. Sadly, his only visible campaign efforts are a dozen tattered posters and vandalized billboards clearly visible on Lagos highways.
The reasons why i am convinced beyond reasonable doubt, that the PDPs Lagos Governorship Candidate is headed for defeat at the polls is not farfetched.

~Over-dependence on wayned popularity
The 2007 Lagos Governorship elections saw Mr. jimi Agbaje emerge a candidate under the Democratic People's Alliance, after his defection from the Action Congress.
After the elections, with his spectacular performance (although not enough to secure him a majority) one would still have expected the vibrant and promising young man then to keep the pace by being vocal and critical of the then Governor of the state. Unfortunately, Mr. Agbaje retreated completely, probably accepting the superior administrative style of Babatunde Fashola.
He resurfaced 8 years later to try his luck again, following the expiration of Fashola's tenure; a move which confirmed his conspicuous inferiority.

Hinging his campaign on the wings of his diminished popularity, and failing to judiciously employ the availbale federal advantage his party possessed at the time, he lost again to a political new comer Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
Disappearing again from mainstream Lagos politics for 4 years, the PDP stalwart has resurfaced to wrestle power from the rulling APC, most likely premising his victory on his faded popularity; Mr. Agbaje is about to make the same mistake the third time.

~Disadvantaged tribal appeal

It is not heresay that a large fraction of Nigeria's electorate vote alongside tribal lines. Statistics from past elections have burtressed the trends. Since 2015, many Lagosians of Igbo extraction have thrown their weight openely or tacitly behind Mr. Agbaje. This has indeed angered many indigenous Lagosians who view the Igbos as being overbearing; a once heated scenario which saw the oba of Lagos threatening to drown Igbo Lagosians with mystical powers if they voted against his party The APC.

This unfortunate tribal cold war equally threaten the PDP candidate's chances at the polls.

~Lethargic electioneering effort

Following INEC's opening of the window for official party campaigns, Lagos Governorship candidates like Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, to mention a few, have taken to the streets to aggressively canvas for votes among Lagosians. From higher institutions in the state, to conferences, expos and concerts; but one candidate has been least seen- Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

His handlers/advisers are either doing a terrible job or deliberately sabotaging his efforts by not drawing his attention to his inert effort.

~General miscalculations

About a week ago, at the Lagos Governorship debate organized by Covenant Christian Center's the platform, the Lagos PDP candidate told the audience and Lagosians at large that he was confident of winning this year's poll, because his 2015 performance was better than his 2007 performance. I like to think that the reason for this assertion is partly connected with the brief topsy-turvy witnessed by the Lagos APC over its decision to drop the incumbent Governor as the party's flag bearer. Such premises will at best be hopeless if the PDPs candidate refuses to trace his steps towards a purpose driven campaign with renewed spirits and intensified efforts. (Assuming time permits him).

Olugbenga Moloney- is a political scientist, public commentator and writer.
Source:
http://www.insiderpostonline.com/opinion/reasons-why-agbaje-would-lose-the-lagos-governorship-election-again-opinion/

Jimi Agbaje is not a serious candidate. As it stands, BOS (Babatunde Gbadamosi) of ADP is taking too much shine off him. APC will most certainly win the next election in Lagos, while BOS will get a lot of votes that would have ordinarily gone to Agbaje.

We all know Agbaje is just catching his fun.



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Only wailers alongside children of hate and perdition won't know that.

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isokay

Tinubu is a bastard drug dealing vagabond

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if Atiku wins hmmmmm apc will lost everything they ever had

It is time for Agbaje.

Opinions are like asshoeles. Ultimately it's the people that decide not paid influencers like y all.

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vbn

Useless opinion

Lagosians are in love with their chains of slavery to the Halitosis infected Bola Tinubu.....

ngadaAwo:
Tinubu is a bastard drug dealing vagabond

.. this post has always being PDP manifesto in Lagos since 1999 that is why APC will continue to rule and Lagos will continue to be developed than nigeria!

Agbaje himself knows he can't win..........

INTEGRITYA1:
Lagos is APC strongest state.

not when Atiku wins

he get uncooked beans for Tinubu

Agbaje is not even disturbing himself , he is just there like a portrait

ok na

Nonsense
not saying he will win but I remember they said more than this about Adeleke in Osun state.

[s]

Basic123:

.. this post has always being PDP manifesto in Lagos since 1999 that is why APC will continue to rule and Lagos will continue to be developed than nigeria!

[/s]
you mean the glorified slum

INTEGRITYA1:
Lagos is APC strongest state.

Very true. May the best win.

as I dey look this,thing so, agbaje might not even finish second.

make we vote gbadamosi joor na only am e head correct.

Jimi agbaje isn't trying with his campaign at all. Banky w that just came into the system is even trying than him.

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post=74965107:
Only wailers alongside children of hate and perdition won't know that.

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You wail more than those you call wailers. Get engaged in something tangible.

Good man but the highway of politics is very treacherous.

colossus2:

You wail more than those you call wailers.

A young Wailing wailer has just spoken, we try to converse with the elderly wailers, now shut up kiddo!

It is a lost battle even before the commencement of it. Lagos is Apc,Apc is Lagos!

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ngadaAwo:
[s][/s] you mean the glorified slum

Yes that Igbo people wish they have!