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Vice President Namadi Sambo on Wednesday said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was poised to take over power in Lagos in 2015.
The Vice President spoke in Lagos after a reconciliation meeting of PDP governorship aspirants in the state.
The meeting finally rested the controversy and disagreements that trailed the party’s governorship primary in the state.
Musliu Obanikoro had earlier gone to court, seeking an order for the cancellation of the primary.
He had alleged that the exercise, which produced Mr Jimi Agbaje as the party’s candidate in Lagos, was flawed.
Sambo, at a forum attended by supporters of the aspirants and chieftains of the party, however, said that the aspirants had finally agreed to work as one.
He said that Agbaje had signified interest to work with everyone to deliver Lagos.
“Agbaje is indeed humble and that is what appeals for total support for the party to win in Lagos.
“We are poised, more than ever before, to rescue Lagos. The time for PDP to take over Lagos has come.
“PDP is confident that it would win Lagos and other elective positions in 2015,’’ he said.
Sambo said that Lagos had yearned for change for too long and Agbaje, as the candidate in 2015, would not let the party down.
“What we have done today is worth emulating by other party members in Lagos and beyond,’’ he said.
He said that the Federal Government, and indeed the PDP, had realistic and verifiable pictures of works it had carried out.
“Our pictures are real. I saw a poster of a candidate claiming that the Lekki Deep Sea Port is a Lagos State venture. I will like to say that the federal government has a large share in it.
“The Nigeria Ports Authority also has a 20 per cent share holding, while the private sector has the largest share.
“Our pictures are real and verifiable,” he said.
Sambo said that there would be realistic development in Lagos with a PDP government.
“Today, people are leaving Lagos because of heavy taxation. A PDP government will correct it.
“Jimi is coming to save Lagos,” he said.
In his contribution, the Lagos State Chairman of the Party, Mr Tunji Shelle, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice for wading into the disagreement over the primaries.
“This will translate to the PDP winning in Lagos State. It is a show of solidarity, loyalty to the party.
“The challenges are there and we have to work together as a party,’’ he said.
Shelle urged the members to sustain the peace and make it an enduring one. “Jimi Agbaje is the choice of the people of Lagos. I want to plead with all to give him the maximum support so that the party can win,” he said.
On his part, Obanikoro said that despite the inadequacies in the primaries, they have all agreed that Agbaje is the candidate.
He said that it was a very challenging time for the supporters of the other aspirants, but urged them to move away from what happened and work as one family.
“There is no doubt that my passion and love for Lagos is known. It will trigger any level of sacrifice to ensure victory for the PDP.
“For the past 16 years, we have seen failed and broken promises in Lagos State by the government. It is time to bring that to an end,’’ he said.
According to him, it is extremely important to make the sacrifice, bearing in mind that there is no winner or loser in a family.
“I am proud of Agbaje. Everything comes from God and he is a man I respect.
“It is now time to go and dislodge APC in Alausa,” Obanikoro said.
He expressed gratitude to President Jonathan and Sambo for their leadership roles in ensuring peace in the party.
In his response, Agbaje said that through the intervention of the Presidency, PDP had become one big happy family.
“All animosities are declared dead and that is why I sang the song, Everything is turning around.
“By God’s grace, in 2015, PDP will record resounding victory in Lagos State,’’ he said.
Agbaje said his mission was to ensure that Lagosians achieve their full potential and aspirations in life.
“I will transform Lagos into a world class town,” he said.
Tokunboh Kamson, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi and Mr Deji Doherty, who had also been aggrieved after losing in the primary, also attended the meeting.
They pledged their loyalty to the party and their commitment to work for its victory in 2015.
Party chieftains that attended the meeting include the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; Mrs Aduke Maina, a member PDP BOT, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu and Sen. Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele.
