FreeLagos Movement endorses Jonathan/Agbaje, set to mobilise 5m Lagosians

FreeLagos Movement, an amalgamation of various informal interest groups who live, and work in Lagos State and share in the great and collective wish of a free Lagos has endorsed the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan and the election of Jimi Agbaje as the governor of the state in the March 28 and April 11, 2015 elections. “We are not a political association/party but we have carefully measured all candidates, their political parties and key drivers with same yardsticks.

It resulted in a resolve to support candidates whose dispositions are closest to our ideals of freedom. Thus we have endorsed Mr. President for re-elections and Mr. Jimi Agbaje for the Lagos State gubernatorial election”, said AkintoyeFranco- Rhodes, one of the conveners of the group, in a media interactive session in Lagos recently. Akintoye said that Lagos as the economic nerve-centre of Nigeria is of strategic importance to country, thus, a free Lagos will contribute immensely to the prosperity of Nigeria and all Nigerians. He decried the annexation of the resources of the state into an estate of one man. “It is clear that certain things happen because there are “vested interests” that have taken Lagos hostage and privatized the state’s resources to the detriment of the people. April 11 is an opportunity for Lagosians to enthrone true democracy of government for the people and not government for one as has been practiced in Lagos state since the return of democracy in 1999”, Akintoye said. AjuwonEkundayo, another convener of the group said that a situation where “vested interest” has plunged Lagos’ liveability index to 137th out of 140 cities listed by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) is not acceptable. “This means that if you take 140 cities worldwide where people consider good to live in, Lagos is the fourth worst place to live in. A World Bank survey also reveals that of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos is still the worst state in terms of the ease of securing Building Permits. It is still on record that more students in Lagos fail WAEC than those who pass.

These and many more malaise ravages Lagos in spite of the fact that the state generates over N20 billion monthly as internally generated revenue”, Ekundayo said. YomiGiwa, another convener of the movement said that “the free spirit of Lagos must be retained and the forth-coming election provides an opportunity to “use their inviolable power of franchise (Vote) as a legitimate transaction for freedom. Lagosians are poised to be free from hegemony and enslavement. This is not about one man but the awareness that a system that produces such situation should not arise again”. The group has outlined plans to engage in continuous and intensive communication with up to 5 million residents of Lagos using appropriate means and available/created opportunities throughroad show/road Trek and concerts. The group will also de- ploy communications tools which include Website operations, Social Media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, Hashtags and WhatsApp. FreeLagos Movement is an advocacy group that believes that the free spirit of Lagos must be retained, sustained and maintained. The group is open to all Lagosians irrespective of political affiliations, religion, gender and beliefs or ethnic background. FreeLagosMovement is also advocating for enabling environment for all Lagosians to do his or her business without being harassed or intimidated.