2007: Lagos PDP Unstoppable, Says Chairman
By Olawale Olaleye
As if spurred by President Olusegun Obasanjo's prediction of victory for the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2007 elections, the party Chairman, Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi has said there is no stopping the PDP as far as 2007 elections are concerned.
A statement by the chairman said Obasanjo's prediction would come to pass by 2007, saying the statement was credible based on the party's performance in the last elections, its current strength, popularity and political developments ahead of next elections.
"Currently, we are not flattered by President Olusegun Obasanjo's candid statement. In fact, both the President and Chief Olabode George spoke their minds based on a critical appraisal of the situation in Lagos State.
Continuing, the Chairman in another statement decried allegations by the rival Alliance for Democracy (AD) that the PDP had a hand in the fire that gutted Tejuosho market, a couple of weeks back. The PDP said it was important it cautioned the AD on such statements that are capable of inciting the people.
"This is bad politics, a dangerous trend which we must condemn. Instead of addressing the issues, the AD and its agents are subjecting the plight of the victims to political orchestration to win undue sympathy. This was how the face-off in Lagos Island was exaggerated whereas the so-called local government chairman could have averted the situation if she had shown some tolerance and understanding", Ashorobi added.
On his part, Mr. Muyiwa Collins, PDP's director of publicity in the South West Zone in a different statement, raised alarm about what he described as unhealthy collaboration between men of the Lagos State Police Command and Lagos State Transport Monitoring Authority (LASTMA) to prevent men of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency from performing their duties.
He said the Police is expected to be neutral and not support LASTMA in an attempt to frustrate FERMA officials in the course of carrying out their assignments. He therefore advised the police to be meticulous in handling any matter involving FERMA and LASTMA.
"We condemn, in strong terms, this development. The Police is supposed to be neutral and not to take side in any matter involving LASTMA and FERMA, particularly as affecting federal roads in Lagos State".
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