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Lagos deserves better than what APC is
offering – Obanikoro
JANUARY 3, 2014 BY JOHN ALECHENU
71 Comments
Obanikoro
In this interview with journalists, a former
Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Musiliu
Obanikoro, speaks about the growing debt
profile of Lagos State, the PDP-led anti-graft
war, 2015 general elections and other
issues, JOHN ALECHENU, was there
After you contested and lost the 2007
governorship election, why didn’t you
contest in 2011?
I was on a national assignment as of that
time in 2011. I was the country’s
representative (an Ambassador) in Ghana.
There is no way I can abandon the
responsibilities given to me by the Federal
Government and come home only to be
chasing a political office at the state level.
Now that I am home, I am strongly reflecting
on the last 15 years of Tinubu and the
present administration in Lagos State. I will
not sit down here and tell you that, we don’t
have few things to celebrate in the state but,
by and large, there are still many holes to fill.
And I can honestly tell you that as a citizen
of Lagos State, the overall decision I will
make in terms of performance of Lagos
State Government in the last 15 years, for
me, is slightly below average.
People may be saying they have done some
new roads, they have done this, and they
have done that. One, we must look at the
costs of these roads and then, the state has
a debt profile of about N1tn as we speak
today. I schooled in the USA, the biggest
investment that country made that is still
working for them is in education. We have
not done such in Lagos State despite all the
noise they have been making.
As we speak today, people of Lagos will not
voluntarily send their children to public
schools in the state. That, to me, is failure on
the part of the government after 15 years in
the saddle.
Today, our hospitals in the state are mere
consulting centres. Everybody that is
somebody, now goes overseas for ordinary
medical check–up. Even the governor
himself, I do believe, without any iota of
doubt that he does his medical check –up
abroad. Their leader and ex-governor of the
state recently had a knee injury and he was
flown abroad to take care of ordinary knee
injury. This minor health challenge could not
be treated at the Lagos State University of
Teaching Hospital after billions of naira they
claimed have been sunk to upgrade the
facility. In the area of health, Lagos State
government has equally failed.
Today, Lagos State does not have the
required capacity to handle emergencies.
And you know how much this state
generated monthly as internal revenue. They
are still struggling in the area of refuse
management. Looking at the Olusosun
Dumpsite at Ojota and the level of pollution
that is injected to the atmosphere on a daily
basis says a lot about the state government
that has been in power since 1999.
There are various kinds of reckless
reclamation going on in the state right now.
After the reclamation, what they often do is
to sell the land to themselves and their
cronies. Whereas, during the time of Alhaji
Lateef Jakande, he did reclamation in Lekki
and the land was sold to members of the
public. As I am speaking to you now, the
level of industrial pollution in the state is at
an alarming proportion. These are serious
issues that will affect resident’s life span and
nobody is talking. Honestly, I don’t know
what this government is celebrating every
100 days.
At this point, where do you come in?
I do believe that Lagos State, with its
potential and the kind of IGR they get every
month can be managed better than it is
now. And the business of government can
be done more transparently because this
government is not transparent. Go and
goggle anything about Lagos State, you
won’t find any worthy information made
available for members of the public. The
governor has directed all members of his
executive council not to talk to the press
anymore on any issue; it is only the
Commissioner for Information that is
allowed to talk and you know that one who
pays the piper dictates the tune.
The Information Commissioner will tell you
only what they want him to say; he cannot
give a direct answer to your question if you
succeed in meeting him at a corner. Those
are the characters that are in government in
Lagos.
For example, look at the 2014 proposed
budget that was presented to the State
House of Assembly; the governor said it is a
zero deficit budget but I called it 419. The
government has gone to the bond market to
borrow about N97bn and they are saying
the budget is zero deficit. Is he injecting his
personal money in the budget? He has the
guts to come out and say it is zero deficit
budgets and nobody is talking; instead
people are clapping for him.
On top of that, this government said any
visitor or resident that will live up to six
months anywhere in the state must register.
Is there anywhere in the world that such
thing is done in a free society? People need
to stand up and ask questions from this
government. The governor cannot compel
anybody to register. It is wrong. If we care
to have a free society, for goodness sake,
let’s have it. Let Lagos State government
realise that the Federal Government of
Nigeria is also our government, as Lagos is.
The essence of census is to let us define
what our population is. Census is a thing
that should involve the three tiers of
government but the way the Lagos State
government is doing it, behaving as if Lagos
is a country on its own, the loser of such an
action will be the citizens of the state.
The state government is putting
unnecessary debt on the people and the
unborn children of the citizens. The state
government believes it knows everything;
whereas, we all know that by engaging the
Federal Government constructively, most of
the state’s burdens and challenges would be
shared by the Federal Government.
They refused to do this and that was why
the government has continued borrowing
to the extent of the high debt the state finds
itself today. Had it been the money
borrowed has been judiciously spent,
maybe we would have close our eyes and
say they have made right investment and we
should recoup.
The best investment the state government
would have made is to invest in education
but it failed to do so. Instead, the
government increased tuition fee from
N25,000 at LASU to above N300,000.
Worst still, if you visit LASU main campus
today, you will discover there is not much
physical development at the institution. The
government of the day increased the fee
claiming it cannot subsidize education of
indigent students in the state but they can
subsidise their own habit. That to me, after
so many years of the management of the
state economy is not acceptable.
Can you honestly say your party is effectively
fighting corruption?
It will be very unfair to ask such a question
because we are looking at uninterrupted 15
years governance by two political parties. It
will be very unfair of you to reduce focus on
only Jonathan’s administration. We are
saying we have history of dealing with
corruption. Do they even have any history at
all in their party?
What about the current Oduah scandal in
the Aviation sector?
Oh yes! Accusation has been made in the
open. Panel had been set up to look into the
matter, the President has received the
report. I am sure in good time; he will come
out with a position. Be that as it may,
nobody can sweep under the carpet what
PDP has done to tackle corruption. Their
party has not done anything; that is what
we are saying. Everything they have accused
us of doing, they are worse off.
They accused Stella Oduah of buying two
armoured cars for N255m. The one which
the Lagos State governor is riding up and
down in Lagos is more expensive than
Oduah’s car. He is a public officer too who
draws his salary from tax payer’s money.
It is the same standard, it doesn’t matter. It
is even more damning for the governor
because he is elected by the people and he
is supposed to uphold the trust and
confidence of the people of Lagos.
So, their own is even worse in that case but
it is unfortunate the media refuse to look at
that area.
I am tasking the media people to go and
conduct proper investigation into the cost
of the two jeeps being used by Lagos State
governor. I am in the know of the cost but I
am putting it to you to do the investigation
on the cost of those two jeeps which our
governor uses as official cars.

Obanikoro, should shut his dirty mouth

oba

Nice work PDP Lagos State - Now I shall relocate to lagos in 2014 let's join forces with the Lagos PDP and send apc out of Alausa.
They have refused to pass the FOI Bill, and have banned all press from interviewing them at Alausa, yet they use the press to criticize the Fed Govt.
They have also refused to make public the details of the 2014 budget and other budgets, yet the crucify the Presidency of a well presented budget.
I pay my tax in Lagos State so it is my right to know what my money is used for.
They accuse the FG on the insensitivity of the ASSU strike, yet the state owned University has been on strike despite paying the Highest public school fees, even higher than some private Univs, and they don't even have hostels.
They accused the FG of not allowing states to generate their own power, the FG had to succumb, and since then whilst many state like Rivers, AKS, Delta, Abia and Enugu have since started their own power generation and distribution, most parts of Lagos is still thrown into DARKNESS, still depending on the power generated by the FG.
Tinubu has virtually hijacked all available lands in lekki axis and has used Estate firms like Lekki Gardens and Co to claim ownership of these lands that he sells very expensively.
Of all the good roads developed in the country, it's only in Lagos you will see more than three tolled roads, despite the fact that these roads were built using tax payers and oil moneys.
This is not to mention the many men and women that have been thrown out of livelihoods by some useless policies.
We need to engage all the market men and women, normal legitimate business Northerners that are unjustly tagged 'Boko Haram', Okada Riders, Keke drivers, taxi drivers, Danfo Driver, Igbo traders (that have already pledge their support), all other Tribes that are treated like alliens in their own country, all the Yorubas that are not given fair share, business men and women who pay double tax and are continually harrassed by tifnubu touts, all workers who continue to pay high taxes in the state, Students whose school feels have been increased off the hook, the beggars and unemployed despite the huge revenue accrued to the state.
All those whose houses have been demolished and those whose lands have been seized.
And with the immense support from Abuja, let's show them how politics is played.
While they are busy writting letters and chasing shadows in the name of winning the Presidency, let's hit them hard below the belt.
I urge all other Tribes resident in Lagos to join the Lagos PDP in this Fight - and let's take back Lagos State from one man.
Lagos does not belong to any single family but to NIGERIANS

And pdp is the better alternative that lagosians deserve!
Joker

obanikoro is a loser, let him recontest 2 test his popularity.

I think this obanikoro is high on cocoyam leave. He better keep his dirty mouth shut and let's hear word.

This guy is battling seriously for relevance! Pity he still has jobless journalists who waste time listening to him. I thought he would retire from politics after his exile to Ghana! Pitisome personality!

Gabbysky: Nice work PDP Lagos State - Now I shall relocate to lagos in 2014 let's join forces with the Lagos PDP and send apc out of Alausa.

This means you've not been residing in Lagos State?

Gabbysky:
I pay my tax in Lagos State so it is my right to know what my money is used for.

How come you pay your tax in Lagos State?

Pukkah:

This means you've not been residing in Lagos State?



How come you pay your tax in Lagos State?

See as you burst the ibo boy

Pukkah:

This means you've not been residing in Lagos State?



How come you pay your tax in Lagos State?

Pukkah:

This means you've not been residing in Lagos State?



How come you pay your tax in Lagos State?

Yes Sir, I've lived in Lagos all my life, I have businesses and properties in Lagos, so I do pay my tax and LUC to LASG.
I temporarily relocated to PH in 2013 to set up another branch of my biz here, hoping to return to Gidi if my family permits... Thanks

Gabbysky:
Yes Sir, I've lived in Lagos all my life, I have businesses and properties in Lagos, so I do pay my tax and LUC to LASG.
I temporarily relocated to PH in 2013 to set up another branch of my biz here, hoping to return to Gidi if my family permits... Thanks

...If your family permits...

That's good condition although what you said earlier is that you will relocate (without any condition).

Also see what you've written in the past:

Gabbysky:
Nahh, not me, I'm not a politician you small boy.
The Reps know what they've gotten themselves into... I am from Rivers state, I live in River State and we're already prepping the next person to represent us. We never voted for APC in our constituency, no need to recall the reps since they never consulted with us before making this tragic move to try to bring us (the people) under a terrorist party.
The joke is on u guys, and btw, thanks for letting me know that it's the xmas break that has been responsible for all these tollerated insults. We don't want APC, we voted for PDP.

You said you went to PH in 2013 but the elections of the Reps which you referred to in the above post definitely took place long before 2013.

See another one:

Gabbysky:
From the reports of yesterday's meeting, I was greatly impressed.
Nah, I'm not igbo dear, I rep PH - Proud citizen of the Creeks

And this is the reason (political) you're relocating to Lagos:

Gabbysky:
PDP -Lagos is now winning more yorubas over, and to add other tribes that have already pledged their support to kick out apc, they will surely get there, and that's why me and many like me are relocating to Lagos to ensure this happens.
Watch out for the massive explosion of crowds in Lagos during the election - we'll be coming in for one thing... KICK OUT apc FROM GIDI

You said earlier that if your family permits your relocation. But didn't you think of your family when you were trying to woo Berem here:

Gabbysky:
Plz do my love... My crush on is driving me nutss and I'm prepared to do anything to win you except decamping
I'll be waiting and btw r u married?
No hurt feelings please

From all these, your conclusions are as good as mine.

Pukkah:

...If your family permits...

That's good condition although what you said earlier is that you will relocate (without any condition).

Also see what you've written in the past:



You said you went to PH in 2013 but the elections of the Reps which you referred to in the above post definitely took place long before 2013.

See another one:



And this is the reason (political) you're relocating to Lagos:



You said earlier that if your family permits your relocation. But didn't you think of your family when you were trying to woo Berem here:



From all these, your conclusions are as good as mine.

Another PPP agent caught red handed !!

Shame? These folks do not have

Italiano1:

Another PPP agent caught red handed !!

Shame? This folks do not have

These are not the best of times for the PPP elements.

Their camp is in disarray and their house is on fire.

These days, I don't know which is higher in number - their gaffes or their posts...

The 'Pay' in the PPP has become hard-earned.

If we are in a sane society, Obanikoro should be languishing in jail based on his terribly corrupt antecedents here in Nigerian and the US. HiS son was one of the criminals indicted in the Oil subsidy scandal.

[img]http://www.tvcnews.tv/sites/default/files/styles/node-detail/public/field/image/nIGERIAN-PROTESTERS.jpg[/img]

Pukkah:

...If your family permits...

That's good condition although what you said earlier is that you will relocate (without any condition).

Also see what you've written in the past:



You said you went to PH in 2013 but the elections of the Reps which you referred to in the above post definitely took place long before 2013.

See another one:



And this is the reason (political) you're relocating to Lagos:



You said earlier that if your family permits your relocation. But didn't you think of your family when you were trying to woo Berem here:



From all these, your conclusions are as good as mine.

BUSTED LWKMD

Gabbysky: Nice work PDP Lagos State - Now I shall relocate to lagos in 2014 let's join forces with the Lagos PDP and send apc out of Alausa.
They have refused to pass the FOI Bill, and have banned all press from interviewing them at Alausa, yet they use the press to criticize the Fed Govt.
They have also refused to make public the details of the 2014 budget and other budgets, yet the crucify the Presidency of a well presented budget.
I pay my tax in Lagos State so it is my right to know what my money is used for.
They accuse the FG on the insensitivity of the ASSU strike, yet the state owned University has been on strike despite paying the Highest public school fees, even higher than some private Univs, and they don't even have hostels.
They accused the FG of not allowing states to generate their own power, the FG had to succumb, and since then whilst many state like Rivers, AKS, Delta, Abia and Enugu have since started their own power generation and distribution, most parts of Lagos is still thrown into DARKNESS, still depending on the power generated by the FG.
Tinubu has virtually hijacked all available lands in lekki axis and has used Estate firms like Lekki Gardens and Co to claim ownership of these lands that he sells very expensively.
Of all the good roads developed in the country, it's only in Lagos you will see more than three tolled roads, despite the fact that these roads were built using tax payers and oil moneys.
This is not to mention the many men and women that have been thrown out of livelihoods by some useless policies.
We need to engage all the market men and women, normal legitimate business Northerners that are unjustly tagged 'Boko Haram', Okada Riders, Keke drivers, taxi drivers, Danfo Driver, Igbo traders (that have already pledge their support), all other Tribes that are treated like alliens in their own country, all the Yorubas that are not given fair share, business men and women who pay double tax and are continually harrassed by tifnubu touts, all workers who continue to pay high taxes in the state, Students whose school feels have been increased off the hook, the beggars and unemployed despite the huge revenue accrued to the state.
All those whose houses have been demolished and those whose lands have been seized.
And with the immense support from Abuja, let's show them how politics is played.
While they are busy writting letters and chasing shadows in the name of winning the Presidency, let's hit them hard below the belt.
I urge all other Tribes resident in Lagos to join the Lagos PDP in this Fight - and let's take back Lagos State from one man.
Lagos does not belong to any single family but to NIGERIANS

True talk, lagos is about propaganda, Fashola boasts the biggest propaganda machine in Africa. Damn, Josef Goebles would be proud of this man.

I understand PDP members plight in SW....

The head of the sheep is gone....so the herd is running and talking without coordination.

I really pity them.....GEJ doesn't even trust nor believe in their capacity...thus the recourse to fund Fasheun UPN.

How Far?:


True talk, lagos is about propaganda, Fashola boasts the biggest propaganda machine in Africa. Damn, Josef Goebles would be proud of this man.

Where do you live in Lagos?

This is laughable. So Mr Obanikoro which party is better than APC

We must kick out APC(The devil) and vote in PDP(The angel) come 2015

Koro should just shut up and silently eat his banku in Ghana...The guy is politically dead in lagos state

Even tough i'm not a politician but as for Lagos, PDP should for now keep shut and forget about Lagos state.

ilugunboy:

Where do you live in Lagos?

We all don't live in Lagos grow up.

How Far?:


We all don't live in Lagos grow up.

So fucvk off!

Ibos can go to hell!

Only the tribe of ibos you know idiot

Only the trie of ibos you know idiotic like you moving with hate

Oshodia: Only the tribe of igbos you know. idiotic like you moving with hate

don't mind him,its his parents that taught him how to hate igbos. Now he thinks anyone that speaks again corruption in SW is igbo,what a shame

Pukkah:

...If your family permits...

That's good condition although what you said earlier is that you will relocate (without any condition).

Also see what you've written in the past:



You said you went to PH in 2013 but the elections of the Reps which you referred to in the above post definitely took place long before 2013.

See another one:



And this is the reason (political) you're relocating to Lagos:



You said earlier that if your family permits your relocation. But didn't you think of your family when you were trying to woo Berem here:



From all these, your conclusions are as good as mine.

Believe whatever you want Bro, I'm presently in Lagos and I'll be returning to PH by the weekend, I shuttle Lag-PH every now and then thanks to our highly improved Aviation services as made possible by this GEJ administration, I have my businesses in Lag and they have to be monitored. So it did not occur to you that I could have travelled to Rivers state for the 2011 elections? SMH for u
My temporal relocation to Lagos for the 2015 elections won't be permanent, though I'll still pay my tax to LASG.
How dare you take my wooing of Berem as a case for family? Come on man... She herself knows that the wooing is all political for her to join the winning PDP - so don't get it twisted Bro, max respect for the lady. We have matured minds here you know.
Now let's stick to the TOPIC please!

Gabbysky:
Believe whatever you want Bro, I'm presently in Lagos and I'll be returning to PH by the weekend, I shuttle Lag-PH every now and then thanks to our highly improved Aviation services as made possible by this GEJ administration, I have my businesses in Lag and they have to be monitored. So it did not occur to you that I could have travelled to Rivers state for the 2011 elections? SMH for u
My temporal relocation to Lagos for the 2015 elections won't be permanent, though I'll still pay my tax to LASG.
How dare you take my wooing of Berem as a case for family? Come on man... She herself knows that the wooing is all political for her to join the winning PDP - so don't get it twisted Bro, max respect for the lady. We have matured minds here you know.
Now let's stick to the TOPIC please!

Why are you shuttling around (IN YOUR DREAMS ALONE) and not stay in your landlocked hinterland? I can't wait enough for the day you people will be forced to live in your own country and both Lagos and Rivers will NOT BE GIVING YOU ANY VISA even to VISIT for 1 minute!

Sloan:

Why are you shuttling around (IN YOUR DREAMS ALONE) and not stay in your landlocked hinterland? I can't wait enough for the day you people will be forced to live in your own country and both Lagos and Rivers will NOT BE GIVING YOU ANY VISA even to VISIT for 1 minute!

Hey Mister, I am Rivers by Origin and Lagos by birth, so ask me questions about both states latter.
But for now please stick to the topic, thanks