Frontline gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress(APC)in Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode on Friday formally declared his intention to seek office promising to make the state more livable for its teeming residents.
In a carnival-like event which held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, Ambode who voluntarily retired as Accountant- General of Lagos State after close to three decades in service, said he was the candidate in the best position to build on the good works, which have been done in Lagos since the time of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The colourful event which had an array of musicians including leading Fuji act, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and sensational rap artistes, M. I and Olamide amongst others had various political and professional groups clad in assorted uniform attires popularly known as Aso-ebi as well as different colours of T-shirts with the pictures of Ambode and various inscriptions which depict the essence of his candidacy.
In his declaration titled “Continuing the Progress, Securing the Future:” Ambode said that the last fifteen years have witnessed an irreversible growth and development of our great state with a foundation laid concretely by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu between 1999 and 2007.
“The consolidation and actualisation of that growth, of which we are all living testimonies, have been achieved by the indefatigable incumbent Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. (SAN).
“I stand before you today in the spirit of the continuity of excellence that Lagos is known for. My vision and mission is to create a clean, secure and prosperous Lagos State that is driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice.”
To the admiration of a cheering audience which included, party leaders, party faithfuls, leaders of faith based organisations and professionals supporting Ambode aspiration, the Epe born politician promised to provide genuine, purposeful and accountable leadership which would create equal opportunities for everyone no matter their gender, religion or ethnic status.
“Lagos is the most cosmopolitan state in Nigeria and there is no room for discrimination. Whether you are Igbo, Efik, Ijaw, Hausa, Fulani, a foreigner, whoever you are, so far you live or work in Lagos, our government will work for you and you will be adequately represented.
“We want a Lagos that will not deny any Nigerian citizen the right of political participation and access to services. It is not about sectionalism. This is the new Nigeria that we want to build and Lagos is the focal point from where we would build the Nigeria of our dreams,” he stressed.
Ambode assured that if given the opportunity to govern Lagos State, his administration would create opportunities for every Lagosian to express himself, create job opportunities, improve on infrastructure and further deepen the opportunities available for businesses and business people to thrive in Lagos.
“I am resolved to offer you genuine leadership that will be accountable with all the principles of good governance, a government of inclusion that will not leave any race or gender behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos livable for you. We will work to create opportunities for all and offer selfless service.
“As we proceed, we will leave no one behind. What our great party stands for is change, positive change. We will create wealth. We will create new jobs. We will challenge ourselves to make Lagos a better place. We will take Lagos to the next level. We are going to do it together.
“Everybody counts. The aged, widows, artisans, students, children, the physically challenged, professionals, we all have a part to play. For corporate Lagos, Lagos is open for business, even for greater business. We have the political will to move Lagos to the next level. We are going to face our challenges by ourselves. Nobody is going to do that for us. With our collective will, we will overcome them,” the candidate said.
While calling on Lagos residents to embrace the change that the APC, he noted that all Nigerians must work towards a change in the government at the centre saying that Nigerians deserved more that failed promises of transition that the country has received from the ruling party in the past one decade and a half.
Ambode summed up his promise for the state in the acronym LAGOS which represents: Leadership, Accountability, Good Governance, Opportunities and Service, assuring that he would continue in his well-known attribute of selfless service if given the opportunity to serve the people of Lagos State as governor.
“I stand before you today in the spirit of the continuity of excellence that Lagos is known for. My vision and mission is to create a clean, secure and prosperous Lagos State that is driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice.
“Our message is LAGOS. LAGOS is Leadership, LAGOS is Accountability, LAGOS is Good Governance, LAGOS is Opportunities and LAGOS is Service. That is what I stand for. “
51 year-old Ambode is an accountant, an administrator and a public finance management expert.
Before embarking of voluntary retirement in 2012, Ambode was Accountant-General of Lagos State, Nigeria, a position he attained after he had held many sensitive financial positions in the Lagos State Civil Service in a 27-year career in the Lagos State Civil Service.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management. Ambode is the founder of La Roche Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on developing the next generation of leaders.
Party stalwarts at the event included, Abiodun Sumala, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon James Faleke of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Forum of Local Government Chairmen in Lagos State, Hon Adekunle Akeem, former Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Hon Tunde Buraimoh.
Others include former Women Leader for the APC in Lagos State, Hon Adetoun Adediran, former Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development, Hon Paul Kalejaiye, Rev Ogedengbe, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Religious Matters among others.
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