A group of opinion leaders in Lagos – under the auspices of Leaders After God’s Own Spirit Initiating A New State (LAGOSIANS) – has urged eligible voters in the State to vote against any representation of godfatherism in the March 18 governorship election.
The group led by Dr Bolaji Akinyemi decried the negative effect of the grip of the godfather of the ruling party on governance and the growth of the State.
Akinyemi, while addressing a press conference on Saturday, expressed the displeasure of the group over the sentiments of ethnicity and religion introduced to the campaign for election in the State.
He noted that all drumming of war and calls for the ethno-religious crisis must be stopped.
He enjoined the people of Lagos State to kick against the attempt to replace the godfather of the ruling APC, who has held the State by the jugular in the last 24 years with another godfather from one of the opposition parties, who recently endorsed one of the gubernatorial candidates.
“What Lagos need is a truly independent governor who will not be at the whims and caprices of a godfather. We will gladly vote a youth, but we prefer a boy to a boi-boi, that is a puppet who is tied to the apron string of his godfather,” he said.
He however revealed that the people of the state will soon be mobilized to work together for a governorship candidate who will serve the interests of the masses and be responsible to the people who elect him into office and not to any godfather.
Also speaking at the conference, Dr Femi Ferguson, the president of the Ndigbo United Association made a clarion call for all residents of the state to unite in the crusade to rid the State of political leaders who create divisions among the people to perpetuate themselves in office.
He called for peace and calmness before, during and after the election and that security must be beefed up to allow people to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.